What Is Shikinaen Garden? The Royal Villa of the Ryūkyū Kingdom
A Place of Hospitality and Retreat for Ryūkyū Royalty
Shikinaen Garden (Shikinaen) is a circuit-style strolling garden associated with the Ryūkyū royal family, located in Maaji, Naha City.
Built in 1799, it was the largest villa of the Ryūkyū royal family, used as a retreat for the king and his family and as a place to welcome foreign guests, including the sappōshi (Chinese imperial envoys sent to confer royal investiture).
In 2000, it was designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government, and in December of that year it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryūkyū."
Unlike the historic spots around Shuri Castle, Shikinaen's appeal lies in the chance to connect with the culture of the Ryūkyū Kingdom while strolling through a quiet garden.
A Garden Once Called the "South Garden"
Shikinaen is also called "Shichinanudun" in the Okinawan language.
Because it lies to the south of Shuri Castle, it was also known as the "Nanen" (South Garden).
Knowing the background of the name before you walk makes it easier to imagine its role as a royal villa.
A Garden Restored After the Ravages of War
Most of the buildings at Shikinaen were destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945.
After the war, restoration and maintenance work was carried out over roughly 20 years, from 1975 to 1996, at a total project cost of about 780 million yen, giving the garden its present form.
For this reason, much of the stonework and the goten (palace hall) you see as you walk has been carefully revived through postwar restoration.
Top Things to See at Shikinaen: Walking the Circuit-Style Pond Garden
A Circuit-Style Garden Best Enjoyed on Foot Around the Pond
The garden at Shikinaen is a circuit-style garden (kaiyū-shiki teien) designed so you can enjoy the changing scenery as you walk around the pond.
At its center is Shinji-ike, a pond shaped like a cursive form of the Chinese character for "heart" (kokoro).
It is designed so that the way the water surface, stone bridges, buildings, and greenery appear shifts subtly depending on the angle from which you walk.
Even taking your time, a full loop takes only about 40 to 60 minutes, making it one of the most peaceful places to spend time while sightseeing in Naha City.
The Garden's Design Details You Notice When You Pause
Rather than rushing through the short distance, pausing to take in the views reveals the design intentions unique to a circuit-style garden.
Looking at the buildings and sky reflected in the pond gives the scenery a sense of depth.
Paying attention to the curves of the stone bridges and the greenery at the water's edge lets you sense a calm beauty that is hard to capture in photos alone.
Points to Keep in Mind While Walking
• Look at the buildings and sky reflected in the pond.
• Take in the curves of the stone bridges together with the waterside scenery.
• Notice the stone masonry made from Ryūkyū limestone (Ryūkyū sekkaigan).
• Enjoy the tranquility of the shade and the water's edge.
The Palace Hall and Hexagonal Pavilion: Sensing the Aesthetics of Ryūkyū, China, and Japan
Ryūkyū Architectural Culture Seen at the Palace Hall
Within the garden stands the goten, a traditional Ryūkyū building (palace hall).
Its red-tiled roof and calm wooden architecture evoke a distinctly Okinawan atmosphere.
Gazing at the garden from in front of the building, you can imagine the atmosphere of the era when it was used as a royal villa.
The total floor area of the buildings, including the goten, is about 643 square meters, and they are arranged so that Shinji-ike can be viewed from the tatami rooms.
Cross-Cultural Layers Seen in the Hexagonal Pavilion and Stone Bridges
On the island floating in Shinji-ike stands the Rokkakudō, a Chinese-style pavilion (hexagonal hall).
Arched stone bridges of various sizes are also placed throughout, and elements of three different cultures—Ryūkyū, China, and Japan—blend naturally across the entire garden.
The fascination of Shikinaen lies in the fact that it is not defined by the style of a single country alone.
From the scenery, you can read the history of the Ryūkyū Kingdom's exchanges with neighboring regions in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Ikutokusen Spring and Kankōdai Lookout
The garden also has a spring called Ikutokusen, surrounded by stone walls built from Ryūkyū limestone.
In addition, from Kankōdai, a lookout on the high ground in the southern part of the garden, the scenery of southern Naha City spreads out before you.
It is said that when guiding the sappōshi envoys in the past, it was used as a viewing point to show that the kingdom was surrounded not by sea but by rich, abundant land.
Shikinaen Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Closed Days to Know Before You Visit
Opening Hours That Vary by Season
Shikinaen's opening hours vary by season.
From April 1 to September 30, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Last admission is at 5:30 p.m.
From October 1 to March 31, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Last admission is at 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fees and Discounts
The admission fee for an individual one-day ticket is 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children (junior high school age and younger).
Group rates for parties of 20 or more are 320 yen for adults and 160 yen for children.
An annual passport costs 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children, which is convenient for those who want to visit repeatedly.
Preschool children accompanied by a guardian enter free of charge, residents of Naha City aged 65 and over receive half-price one-day tickets, and there is a system under which holders of a disability certificate can enter free of charge.
Closed Days and Things to Note
The garden is closed every Wednesday.
However, if a Wednesday falls on a public holiday or on June 23 ("Irei no Hi," Okinawa Memorial Day), the garden closes the following day instead.
It may also close temporarily due to typhoons or facility maintenance, so checking the opening status before your visit will give you peace of mind.
Tips and Etiquette for Walking Through Shikinaen
What to Refrain From in the Garden
Shikinaen is a historic World Heritage garden and a cultural property carefully preserved as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
Within the garden, visitors are asked to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking.
Bringing pets into the garden should also be avoided.
However, guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs are exempt.
Watch Your Step and Walk Quietly
The pathways in the garden include stone pavement and steps made of Ryūkyū limestone.
On rainy days or when the paths are wet, they can become slippery, so wearing comfortable, easy-to-walk-in shoes such as sneakers is recommended.
High-heeled shoes can easily get caught in the stone pavement and may cause you to trip.
While it is a tourist site, it is also a place to savor tranquility.
Be considerate of those around you and of the cultural property as you spend time here.
Things Foreign Visitors Should Keep in Mind
• Refrain from speaking loudly within the garden.
• Do not touch the buildings or stonework unnecessarily.
• Watch your step as you walk.
• If you take photos for purposes other than personal use, including commercial photography, you must apply for permission in advance.
Facilities and Comfort During Your Visit
Restrooms are located within the garden and near the entrance.
The garden signage and pamphlets are also helpful for foreign visitors.
In summer, the sunlight can be strong, so bringing a hat and drinks to guard against heatstroke will help you stay comfortable.
How to Get to Shikinaen: A Naha Garden Easily Reached by Bus
A Location Easy to Add to Naha City Sightseeing
Shikinaen is located at 421-7 Maaji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture.
If using Naha Bus, routes such as No. 2 (Shikina–Kainan Line), No. 3 (Matsukawa Shintoshin Line), No. 4 (Arakawa Omoromachi Line), No. 5 (Shikina–Makishi Line), and No. 14 (Makishi Kainan Loop Line) pass through the Shikinaen-mae bus stop.
The bus stop is just about a 1-minute walk from the entrance, making it an easy place to reach by bus without getting lost.
Location Relative to Shuri Castle and Kokusai Street
When sightseeing in Naha City, understanding the location relative to Shuri Castle and Kokusai Street (Kokusai-dōri) will make it easier to get around.
From Shikinaen, it is about a 10-minute drive or taxi ride to Shuri Castle, and about 15 minutes to Kokusai Street (around Makishi Station) as a rough guide.
However, travel times vary depending on traffic, so allowing extra time in your plans will give you peace of mind.
Shikinaen is better suited to a trip where you walk through the garden and feel its history, rather than just stopping by for a quick photo.
About Using the Parking Lot
Shikinaen has a free dedicated parking lot, making it an easy stop even for those traveling by rental car.
It can get crowded during the tourist season and on weekends, so visiting early in the morning lets you walk through the garden at a leisurely pace.
Summary: Quietly Feeling Okinawa's History at Shikinaen
Shikinaen is a historic circuit-style garden built in 1799 as a villa of the Ryūkyū royal family, and it is also registered as a World Heritage Site.
Through the circuit-style garden centered on Shinji-ike, the Ryūkyū palace hall, the Chinese-style hexagonal pavilion, and the arched stone bridges, you can sense the cultural exchanges of the Ryūkyū Kingdom.
It has a calm atmosphere different from the area around Shuri Castle, making it a sightseeing spot well suited to those who want to quietly savor Okinawa's history.
When you visit, it is recommended to check the opening hours and closed days and to explore the garden in comfortable, easy-to-walk-in shoes.
While keeping in mind the etiquette for protecting cultural properties, please enjoy the peaceful time that only Shikinaen can offer.
