Moopon

Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Okinawa served an important role in Okinawa’s history.
Though presently a district of Naha, Shuri was the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom.  
Until Okinawa became a Japanese Prefecture in 1879, Shuri Castle was both the administrative center
as well as residence for the Ryukyu kings for several centuries.

The castle was originally constructed in the late 1300s.  
Destroyed many times through war and fires, the current buildings are a result of the reconstruction efforts from 1992.
To approach the castle, located on the top of hill, visitors need to pass through many gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate.

The castle’s main hall, the Seiden was the former venue for many governmental events. A landmark of Okinawa, the Seiden’s flamboyant decoration,
architecture and vermillion color shows the difference in castle style between Okinawa and mainland Japan. 

Visitors will find the Una Plaza in front of the Seiden.
Here many ceremonies were held. The Una Plaza is enclosed by the Hokuden (North Hall), Nanden (South Hall) and the Hoshinmon (Hoshin Gate).
The Hokuden and Nanden were administrative buildings which were also used as venues to welcome visitors from China and mainland Japan.

Visitors are welcomed to view the interior of these historic halls.
 The interiors of the Hokuden and Nanden are like modern museums with informative displays about Ryukyu Kingdom as well as
the Okinawa’s history with the Japanese mainland and China. Visitors can also view local historic artifact as well as cultural replicas received during foreign trade.

The Seiden has been reconstructed in its original style.
The richness and fine furnishing the Ryukyu kings were accustomed to are displayed in the Seiden.
Visitors can even view a replica of the king's throne and crown are among the exhibits.

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from December to March, until 20:00 from July to September) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: First Wednesday and Thursday of July
Admission: 820 yen
Level of English: Good

Shikinaen, located in Okinawa, was the second residence of the Ryukyu kings.
It was constructed in the 18th century.
The building were relatively simple, wooden palace buildings incorporating the Chinese red tile roofs
with a spacious Japanese garden and its a central pond.
The garden is meant to be viewed as visitors stroll around.
With both the Chinese and Japanese influence, visitors can appreciate Shikinaen’s truly unique Okinawa style.

Shikinaen was completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa of 1945.
However, a 20 year restoration plan began in 1975.
 In 2000, it was among the sited registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites
and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

From the forest, visitors walk along a stone-paved road, made from Ryukyu limestones to the main entrance.
From here, visitors will stroll along a 300 meter circular path to view the garden.
There are many interesting parts of the garden, not limited to…
**Ikutokusen—the spring filled with clear water.
 It is designated as a national monument as it is the birthplace of the red alga
**Stone Bridge: There are two stone bridges which connect to the palace as well a small islet in the middle of the water.
**Udun Palace:  built in the 17th century, before the garden and pond, this spacious palace has 15 rooms
**Rokkaku-do: a Chinese-style hexagonal pavilion located on a nearby island

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 from October to March) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Wednesdays (or following day if Wednesday is a national holiday or falls on June 23) 
Admission: 400 yen

Japan’s southern island paradise has a rich and unique history which can learned here,
at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.  Relocated in 2007,
the museum is housed in a contemporary building in central Naha.
There are two separate museums: a history museum and an art museum.

The history museum covers a wide time span:
from before the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom to the modern times of today.
The museum includes collections of natural history, folklore, crafts and archaeology.
Due to the cast amount of Okinawa cultural information presented, visitors could spend a few hours exploring the facility.

The art museum is a bit smaller compared to the history museum.
However the collections are displayed in multiple galleries, in art forms including sculptures, paintings,
sketches and videos.
There is a focus on local artists and themes.
The art is rather modern.  And there are special exhibitions which require additional fee for viewing.

Facility information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) as well as December 29th to 31st
Admission: 410 yen (history museum), 310 yen (art museum),
　　　　　 separate fees for special exhibitions
Level of English: Good (history museum)

Naha's Tsuboya district has been an Okinawan pottery center since the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom,
and where many pottery workshops are still located.
The Tsuboya Pottery Museum illustrates the history and the techniques of Tsuboya pottery.

Facility Information:
Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:30)
Closed: Mondays and December 28 to January 4
Admission: 315 yen

Kokusaidori (literally "International Road") is Naha's main street, stretching for around two kilometers through downtown Naha.
The street takes its name from the former "Ernie Pyle International Theater",a movie theater which was built along the road after the war.

Starting around the Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Hall, Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes,
bars, hotels, boutiques, department stores and souvenir shops.
Many shops are open until 11pm,and live Okinawa music is played at several restaurants..
If you are looking for even more shopping opportunities, you are encouraged to go into the colorful Heiwadori,
Mutsumidori and Ichiba Hondori arcades,which branch off Kokusaidori around the intersection with Okieidori,
halfway along the street.
The shops in the arcade are smaller than those along Kokusaidori.

Iwakuni Castle (岩国城） located on Shiroyama castle and being half surrounded by a “natural moat,” the Nishiki River, is a mountain castle. Being able to see Kintaikyo Bridge and approaching visitors, the castle, originally built in 1673, was thought to be located in an a most advantageous location.

Iwakuni Castle is associated with the Kikkawa family, who had it built early in the 17th century. However, seven years after its completion, Tokugawa Shogunate ordered its demolition. It was later reconstructed in the middle of the 20th century

Within the castle is a historic museum which displays of samurai swords, armor and other historic memorabilia.  Displays of Kintaikyo Bridge and other famous Japanese bridges can be seen in the museum. From the observation deck on the top floors of the castle, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Iwakuni city.

Access Information:
5 mins walk to the ropeway station from Kintaikyo Bridge. After disembarking the ropeway, another 5 mins walk to the castle entrance.

Hours: 9:00 to 16:45 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: December 16th to 31st
Admission: 260 yen (castle only)
550 yen (ropeway round trip)
940 yen (castle, ropeway and bridge combination ticket)

Nagayamon Gate located Kikko Park, around Kintai-kyo Bridge
This gate belongs to a former samurai residence of the Kagawa family. Because the residence is still used, only the gate can be viewed. The gate is believed to have been built in 1693, and has been well maintained.
It is particularly impressive for its massively thick construction. The home has been declared a tangible cultural property.

Fee:No fee
Closed: Irregular but always seen from street.

Hagi (萩), a former castle town, is located along the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamaguchi Prefecture.  Historically, it is known as the capital of the Mori Clan which governed Yamaguchi Prefecture for over 250 years.

Hagi is best known for its local Hagiyaki Pottery.  This type of pottery is among the best in Japan.

Hagi is well preserved. With several old samurai and merchant residents still intact, visitors can enjoy this historic town.

By JR Bus
**8-11 round trips per day between Yamaguchi Station and Higashi-Hagi Station. The one-way cost is 1760 yen and the length of the journey is 60 to 80 minutes.
In addition, other bus lines are connected to the Shin-Yamaguchi Station (Sanyo Shinkansen). From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, the one-way cost is 2060 yen and the length of the journey is about 90 minutes.
NOTE: The Japan Rail Pass is valid on these JR buses.

By Bocho Bus
**13-18 round trips per day between Shin-Yamaguchi Station and Higashi-Hagi Station. Note:  The buses do not stop at Yamaguchi Station. The one way cost is 2060 yen and the length of the journey is about 90 minutes.
NOTE:  The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.

By train
**via JR Sanin Line.  However, it is not convenient as the number of trains per day is low and the service is slow.
From Shimonoseki Station, the local trains costs 1940 yen and the length of the journey is 3 hours.  In addition, there is no direct route, so one or two transfers are required.
Alternatively, from Asa Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen (only via Kodama Shinkansens), you can utilize the JR Mine and Sanin Line (transfer at Nagatoshi).  The cost is 1320 yen and the length of the journey is 2 hours

Iwakuni Art Museum, located on the other side of the Kintai-kyo Bridge in Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, features glassware, samurai armor, ceramics, and the furniture of Iwakuni's feudal lords. 

Once visitors cross the Kintai-kyo Bridge, they will see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni. Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park, with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, Kikko Park contains the ruminants of former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan.

Iwakuni Art Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from December to February) 
Closed: Thursdays (if Thursday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed the following day) 
Admission: 800 yen

After crossing the beautifully arched Kintai-kyo Bridge in Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, visitors can see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi.  Kikkawa, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni, was heavily involved in the construction of the bridge after the original bridge was washed away.

Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, Kikko Park contains ruminants of former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan.
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Mekata Residence
Hours: 9:30 to 16:30
Closed: Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday)
Admission: Free
The Mekata Residences belonged to the Mekata family, who were mid-level samurai. Visitors are not permitted to actually enter the residence, but can walk around the property to observe the residences from a short distance away.

Kikkawa Museum, located in Iwakuni Citiy, Yamaguchi Prefecture, displays rare possessions of the Kikkawa family, including documents, swords, and weapons.  Visitors can find this small museum in Kikko Park, on the other side of the Kintai-kyo Bridge.

Once visitors cross the Kintai-kyo Bridge, they will see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni. Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park, with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan are located here, in Kikko Park.

Kikkawa Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Wednesdays (if Wednesday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed the following day)
Admission: 500 yen