Japan 🇯🇵 Okinawa Day 2: Shuri Castle, Kokusai-Dori & Sefa-Utaki

Japan 🇯🇵 Okinawa Day 2: Shuri Castle, Kokusai-Dori & Sefa-Utaki

Welcome to the day number two in Okinawa. We are visiting the most important temple Shuri Shuri temple Shudy Castle in Naha and is one of the most iconic UNESCO uh places heritage places in Japan and there’s a lot of important things to know about this castle and I think one of the most remarkable ones is as was burned in 20 October 2019. So, um, we’re going to see part of the reconstructions and I don’t know how much they finished so far, but I don’t think, as far as I read, the main hall is open, but this is how the castle welcome us with this wall. Um, so what is the purpose of this this place?
Shuri Castle was the hair of the Ryuku kingdom. Not just where the kings live, but where all the biggest stuff happened. It was the center of politics, diplomacy, and tradition. Kings made decisions here, welcomed visitors from other countries, and held important ceremonies that get Okinawa cultures alive. So, we are here. We park here. We walk this way. We are here. This is like a shopping area, service area. And then we’re going to go explore the main area here. This was the castle before the fire. And then look at this the castle after the fire. You can see this um dragons. Then this is the only things that remains. And the dragons are here actually. But they describe it with some cracks. I don’t know if you can see the cracks over there. Yes, we’re about to enter to the castle. And oh, look at this. So everything you see here it’s a wall that is basic basically inside you have the castle under reconstructions. Sadly we came a little bit late a little bit early because the reconstructions supposed to finish next year in 20 2026 and it’s 2025 June. So if you are around next year, I’m sure you’re going to see most of the things completely. We we’re supposed to see something like like this one. And we were there taking videos. We enter from that gates over there. And this is the view we have. So the ticket area is here. And then we enters over there. And this is the view of the city. Mhm. So inside this building there is a reconstruction site of the shy building castle and I’m going to show you the windows. Uh you can see the structure and the work they’re doing at the moment.
So as you can see there We are in the second floor and there are people working there. I imagine how many artists millions you need for reconstruction. It’s not as simple as just the structure but the design. In early hours of October 31st, 2019, a massive fire took place in Shudy Castle, destroying its main halls and leaving behind only ashes of a centuries old symbol. But the loss sparkle a powerful movement to rebuild. Today, restoration effort are on the way using traditional Yukan craftsmanship. Artisans are applying 18 layers of paint using locally sourced timber, handmade roof tiles, and even historical accurate nails. The goal not just to reconstruct the castle, but to bring its spirits and legacy back to life. So you can see here they paint the the castle in the walls. So behind is what we show I show you. It is the reconstruction going on. These cuts are very very nice. Perfect. Especially for example this one. One, two, three angles. Four, five, six. It’s not like a 12 angles in Machu Picchu in Kusco city. But still it’s a lot of work to do this. Yeah. Look these precisions as well. We have a few stairs here. Going to the top. There are many kids. I’m not going to record the kids, but there are many kids here. Many kids here. And then there. Yeah. Wow. And this is the last part. I think the observatory here. Wow. We wrap up our visit at the observatory. amazing view of the city and the castle behind us. It was one of the spots where you just want to pause, taking all in, and of course, snap a few pictures. After that, it was time to reward ourself with ice cream and some seriously good food.
Chi Castle soft serve mango, uh, purple yam, and then acera, which is like cherry.
Cherry. Oh, it’s melting. Go, go for it. M. See, that’s the safe thing. Oh, no. Acer. It’s kind of hard because it’s all mixed now. And it’s melting like
I’ve never seen before.
We just finished the visit to the Shudy Castle. Any thoughts? was very nice. Uh it was under construction but like I think it’s only now that we can see the con construction part.
So I think in that way like it was interesting to see.
Yeah. How is
they’re reconstructing? Yeah.
And I guess these are reasons to go back later in the future I believe.
Yeah.
So this is our visit in 2025.
Come back in 2026. After the castle, we headed to Hiwa Street and Koko Saiori Okinowan’s lively shopping and food scene. The streets were packed with cool little shops, souvenirs and the smell of street food everywhere. We try local snack and just mers into the bike. Makishi public market and there are many of these shops, many different kind of products, serven food, uh, Okinawan food. We saw also sushi, uh, very fresh fish. We’re going to see and go around because the missions of the moment is to find some food to have lunch and it’s raining so it’s amazing that we are there’s a roof here something particular in Okinawa it’s mean that everyone is using this type of shirt but we found an space a shirt that they offer all type of this shirts and it looks really nice right it’s very Hawaiian I would say but you have a specific name I think and for example it costs like I don’t see the price
I think it’s true Hawaiian I feel like here people use shirts that’s less not not as
not as this colorful this is more touristic you mean okay you’re right you’re right
so h for example for women’s you have this type
this very Hawaiian right but I haven’t seen Any girls wearing this as well? Umi budo. Is this traditional from Okinawa? And it’s like a budo like grapes. Like grapes but uh from the sea. Oh So it is your turn. Ah, and this have also this. What is this?
Soup. Wow. Very fresh. Oh, and the sauce is good.
The sauce is good as well. This is a sashimi moria. A little bit of wasabi, of course, and mix it here. Okay. The ones we like and just It’s really good. We also order um chaham like fried rice and I think something like this is a little bit
Yeah. Okay. Nothing. I’m inside. This is this Okinawan sweet which actually is like moi. You want to see the color of this? And ah purple. Don’t drop it.
We have one and then we have
smells very interesting. They the smell is like I don’t know how to describe this. Okay, I can start with this. It’s so difficult. Oh my god. It’s like a mochi with herbs. Ah, because of from the leaf. Oh But it’s not like sugar. I don’t feel like sugar.
Slightly sweet. Yeah. Oh I like it. Try it. nata and leis. So it’s like donuts with yam, purple yam incorporating like mustard. Oh, look at the color. Wow. Finished the experience here. We have good lunch, good lunch, good sweet, and now it’s time to explore one particular part of the city. Will it get my family? Let’s go. For the ones who didn’t watch the video before, me and my family went to the library to research about the origin of our family in Okinawa. Japanese migrations to Peru begin in the late 19th century during Japan’s major era when the government’s encourage immigrations to easy rural and employment in 1899 after a proposal by Agustoa Deia president of Peru at that time. Japanese workers arrived in Peru to work in the growth sugar industry. The first group arrived in the Sakura Maru followed by 82 more groups until 1923 totaling nearly 19,000 people. Though contracts were for 4 years, many stay, move to the cities and open small businesses. Over time, family joined them, forming what we know now as the Nik community, laying the foundations for generation of Japanese Peruvians. In 1916, one of these ships took my family. This is the place they used to live. They migrate in 1916 around And it’s interesting that 100 years ago a part of my family used to live here. So they split here. But this is the land. This is where used they used to live. This is these are the views, the ground, the trees. Probably not news trees. But um uh people are still living here with the same last name. and we’re not going to knock the door, but eventually someday we’re going to send a request so we can visit them and maybe we can connect in the future. After visiting the place of my ancestors, we traveled to Sepha Utaki, the most sacred sites in the traditional Yukian religion designated as UNESCO World Heritage site. Sepha Utaki has been an spiritual center since at least the 15th century during the reign of King Shashi. the unifier of Ryuku Kingdom. Hope you can see me clear because it’s not too bright in this area. And I hope this lens work and also it’s pretty humid and not dark in some areas. Oh, and I’m using the tripod and shaking the hands. So, I hope it’s clear. It’s very hot and also the mosquitoes are killing me and so in case you come around mosquitoes spray and sunscreen. It’s supposedly this is the place where people where the kings the royalty comes to pray used to come to pray using these stones. So this place used to be for ceremony, cultural and religious purposes and only the royalty would come here to pray and have the ceremony here. So it was partially destroyed as well. No, but it’s basically this some cave around. Unlike Shinto shrines or Buddhist temple, this sacred space have no buildings. The size future steps, stone paths, dense forest and sacred rocks formations, including the iconic triangular opening known as Sangui through which can you see Kudaka Island. Even today, Sepha Utaki remains a powerful symbol of Okinawa spirituality. Are you okay? Bye-bye. Bye-bye. See you next time. Okawa. See you next time.

🌍 About Me:

Hi, I’m from Peru! I started this YouTube channel to capture and preserve memories—like a digital diary 📔. I aim to document the emotions, moments, and places that have shaped my identity, creating a lasting archive for my future self. I hope these videos remind me to stay grateful for all the experiences life has offered. Join me on this journey as I explore, reflect, and record the beauty of the world around me.

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📆 Recording date:
・June 2025

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・Sony ZV-E1

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