Shikinaen, the royal gardens of Okinawa
Shikinaen is located approximately 3kms from Shuri Castle,
The garden is circular in design, a style very popular amongst Japanese feudal lords,
Historically the two sites were connected by a stone path, that still exists within the garden walls.
Shikinaen was designed to be strolled through rather than viewed from a particular perspective. However unlike many other Japanese gardens, Shikinaen also displays many features that are Chinese in origin, a combination that has been called “uniquely Ryukyuan” in design.
In the middle of the main pond, atop a small island that is connected by stone arched bridges is a hexagonal pavilion that is very Chinese in design. One of the reasons for the Chinese influence is that the first guests to the garden where an envoy from China a year after it’s construction. The pavilions were reserved especially for sure important guests.
Shikinaen, also known as Nan-en which means southern garden, was constructed at the end of the 18th century as a second home for the Okinawa Royal family.
The gardens are amassed with a diverse range of flora, from subtropical forest plants like Hibiscus to cheery blossoms at the end of winter. The large woodland area is home to all kinds of local birds, bringing a rich natural sound to the air as you stroll along the stone pathways.
The palace is the central feature of the gardens, a single story building made of wood and tile, The combination of wood and tatami mats give this 643sq meter palace a warm and tranquil feel, with an abundance of natural light from the open walls along the deck.
It has amazing views of the gardens from many of its 15 rooms.
Shikinaen was completely destroyed during the battle of Okinawa in 1945, however a restoration of its palace and gardens began in 1975 and as of December 2nd 2000 it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a place of scenic beauty.
Unlike many other tourist attraction in Naha, Shikinaen isn’t accessible via the monorail, couple that with the sheer size of the grounds, some 42,000 sq meters and it becomes a rare place to escape the crowds and concrete of Okinawa’s main city.
If you travel to Okinawa, we highly recommend taking a trip to Shikinaen gardens for a true taste of the real Ryukyu kingdom.
Thank you for watching, please subscribe and ring the bell for future videos.
Alo Japan.