[Okinawa Stroll Diary | The Beauty of Shuri Castle's Red Tiles After Its Rebirth]

Leaving the Hilton Hotel, I'll be departing Okinawa for Taiwan at 6 PM today.

Compared to the reluctance I felt when traveling before,

this time I feel much calmer.

I want to establish a new travel mindset—earn money diligently,

and then consistently travel abroad twice a year.

Travel isn't just about relaxation, but about rediscovering my rhythm for moving forward.

🏯 Last stop: Shurijo Castle Park

Before returning to Taiwan, we decided to make the most of our last few hours at Shurijo Castle.

This was the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, originally built in the 14th century.

It blends Chinese symmetrical layout with Japanese wooden construction techniques.

Red tiles, stone walls, archways, and dragon carvings all symbolize the historical traces of Ryukyu's exchanges with China and Japan.

Unfortunately, in the devastating fire in the early morning of October 31, 2019,

the main hall and most of the main buildings of Shurijo Castle were destroyed.

The park is currently under reconstruction and is expected to be completed in 2026. Construction cranes and restoration areas can still be seen on site, along with display panels and models to help visitors understand the reconstruction process.

This power of "being burned, yet reborn" is more moving than perfection.

🎟️ Tickets for Entry – A Scene Where History and Rebirth Coexist

We bought tickets at the entrance (adult ticket ¥400).

The tickets are printed with the former appearance of the main hall, symbolizing "returning to the glory of the old red tiles."

While taking photos, the red wall behind us shimmered in the sunlight,

symbolizing an indomitable rebirth.

Upon entering the park, various explanatory signs in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean are visible throughout—for example, "Nyokan Kyoshitsu (Ladies' Quarters),"
this was the former living and working place of the ladies-in-waiting in the palace;
there's also a sign for "A Giant Akagi Tree, Its Own Historian,"
a large tree that stood beside the castle wall before the war,
though destroyed in the war, new branches have sprouted again,
seemingly reviving along with Shuri Castle.

A warning sign along the way read "Do Not Climb Stone Wall,"
reminding visitors to respect historical sites and not to climb the ancient castle walls.

These details made me feel Japan's cherishment and respect for its cultural heritage.

🌅 Panoramic View

Upon reaching the observation deck, my husband and I overlooked the entire city of Naha. Tramways slowly crawled along the mountainside,
and red-tiled roofs rose in layers, stretching to the other side of the sea.

At that moment, I felt only—blue sky, white clouds, red brick walls—close to this place, and close to life itself. 🥤 An Afternoon with a Pavilion and Vending Machines

After leaving the observation deck, my husband and I went to a pavilion.

We sat down to rest, had some water, and basked in the warm afternoon sun.

This photo perfectly captures that moment—he sat quietly, while I watched the scenery.

Being able to "do nothing" together on a trip,

is actually a very happy unspoken understanding.

In Okinawa, you can see vending machines almost everywhere.

Whether it's outside the old town, next to the station, or even in a small alley, you can find one.

I was looking for a certain Okinawa-limited drink that Tsai A-ga had recommended, but I couldn't find it the entire trip.

But that made the trip even more endearing—a little regret is actually part of the flavor of travel.

🏃♀️ My 10,000 Steps a Week Goal

This week, I challenged myself to reach my goal of 10,000 steps three times a week.

My phone showed that from October 13th to October 19th,

I took a total of 83,842 steps, averaging about 11,977 steps per day.

On October 16th, because I visited Shuri Castle,

I walked 15,232 steps in one day.

Compared to the treadmill in the gym,

this kind of sweat from walking while traveling feels much more meaningful.

🕰️ Travel Information Corner

Project Details 📍 Address: 1-2 Shuri Kinjo-cho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture 🚗 Access: Approximately 15-minute walk from "Yui Rail Shuri Station", or take a bus to "Shuri Castle Park Entrance" stop 🎟️ Admission: Adults ¥400 / High School Students ¥300 / Elementary School Students and Under ¥160 (Free for children under 6) 🕒 Opening Hours: April–June, October–November: 8:00–19:30; July–September: 8:00–20:30; December–March: 8:00–18:30 💡 Recommended stay: Approximately 1.5–2 hours. It is recommended to bring a hat and water. 📅 Reconstruction Progress: The main hall is expected to be rebuilt by 2026.

💭 Summary

The red tiles of Shuri Castle are not just a symbol of history, but also a mark of time.

It reminds me that even after being burned by fire, it can shine again.

And I think, isn't life the same?

After each rebuilding and restoration,

we can find new scenery. ##Shuri Castle