Shureimon gate
On the 2,000-yen note.
Fumihiko Ueno — CC BY 3.0 · nnh — Public domain · Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Abasaa — Public domain · hasano_jp — CC BY 3.0 · nnh — Public domain · Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0
A gusuku castle in Naha's historic Shuri district, palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879, before the islands were annexed to Japan. It was almost completely destroyed in 1945 in the Battle of Okinawa; its core and walls were rebuilt from 1992 using records and photographs, and in 2000 it joined the World Heritage List among the sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Visitors climb from the famous red Shureimon gate, pictured on the 2,000-yen note, to the stone Kankaimon gate and on through curving limestone walls to the inner courtyard. From the top of the walls Naha spreads out to the sea. On 31 October 2019 a fire destroyed the red main hall, the Seiden, and other buildings in the courtyard. It has been rebuilt, with its completion ceremony set for 22 November 2026 and public opening on 23 November; until then visitors can watch the reconstruction from dedicated walkways. The gates and outer walls are free; the paid area costs about 400 yen, rising to about 1,000 yen when the hall opens on 23 November 2026, and opens 8:30-19:00 from April to November and to 18:00 in winter, per visitor guides. Take the Yui Rail monorail to Shuri Station, then walk about 15 minutes.
On the 2,000-yen note.
Of limestone.
From the walls.
Shuri, east Naha
Yes; the main hall is set to open to visitors on 23 November 2026 after its completion ceremony on the 22nd, and until then visitors watch the work from dedicated walkways.
