The stone tomb
Set against a cliff.
663highland — CC BY 2.5 · xiquinhosilva — CC BY 2.0 · Michael Gunther — CC BY-SA 4.0 · そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 663highland — CC BY 2.5 · Renate Hano — CC BY-SA 4.0 · そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0
A stone royal mausoleum in the Shuri district, built by King Shō Shin in 1501 to bury his father, King Shō En, and one of three mausoleums of the Second Shō Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It joined the World Heritage List in 2000 and became a National Treasure in 2018. The site covers about 2,442 square metres: two courtyards enclosed by stone walls, then the tomb itself backed against a natural cliff, a long, low stone building topped with carved guardian animals. The tomb has three chambers from east to west: the eastern one for kings and queens, the western one for princes and other royals, and the central one used in the traditional Ryukyuan burial rite before remains were moved to the side chambers. A stone stele in the outer courtyard records the building and names those who took part. Tickets are about 300 yen, including a small museum at the entrance, per visitor guides. It is a few minutes' walk from Shuri Castle, along a path shaded by huge banyan trees.
Set against a cliff.
Carved on the roof.
Along the path.
Shuri, a few minutes from Shuri Castle
Yes; the mausoleum is a few minutes' walk from Shuri Castle and costs about 300 yen, per visitor guides.
