Many visitors think of Shuri Castle first when they hear “Okinawa World Heritage.” But the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu” go well beyond the castle: Naha and the south of the island also hold a royal mausoleum, a royal villa and the kingdom’s highest sacred site. Are you wondering which ones are worth seeing, and how to link them efficiently by car?
This article introduces five sites in Naha and Nanjo City (the Shuri Castle site, Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon, Tamaudun, Shikinaen Garden and Sefa-utaki) as a one-day rental-car course. Opening hours, fees, closing days and parking are limited to what we could confirm from official sources (Naha City, Shuri Castle Park and Nanjo City). Autumn 2026 is a period with several changes at once, so we have summarized those first. We also cover etiquette for visiting sacred and historic places.
The Five Sites and the Changes to Know About Right Now
The Ryukyu Kingdom World Heritage sites in Naha and the south
“Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu” is the collective name for nine component sites inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000. This article covers the following five.
- Shuri Castle site (Naha): the ruins of the royal castle that was the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom
- Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon (Naha): a stone worship site near the entrance to Shuri Castle where the king prayed for safe travel
- Tamaudun (Naha): the royal mausoleum of the Second Sho Dynasty, built in 1501
- Shikinaen (Naha): the villa of the Sho royal family, designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government
- Sefa-utaki (Nanjo): a sacred site regarded as the highest in the Ryukyu Kingdom
Among the remaining sites, Nakijin Castle is in the north, and Zakimi, Katsuren and Nakagusuku castles are in central Okinawa. Nakijin Castle is covered in our 2-day northern Okinawa drive article.
Main changes in October and November 2026
As of October 2026, when this article was written, several changes directly affect trip planning. Check the table below to see whether any overlap with your dates before you set out.
| Sefa-utaki fees | From October 1, 2026: individual adults (high school age and over) 600 yen, children (elementary and junior high) 300 yen (announced by Nanjo City) |
|---|---|
| Sefa-utaki construction | July 1 to November 1, 2026: the section from the three-way junction (三叉路) to Yuinchi (寄満) is closed (admission at the normal price) / November 2, 2026 to January 5, 2027: access beyond Ujoguchi (御門口) is restricted, and admission is free up to Ujoguchi (the Kudaka Island worship spot) (all dates are planned) |
| Sefa-utaki rest days | Monday, November 9 to Wednesday, November 11, 2026: the site is closed to entry |
| Shuri Castle Park temporary closure | Sunday, November 22, 2026: closed all day / Monday, November 23 (holiday): closed in the morning |
| Shuri Castle main hall and fees | The main hall (Seiden) opens to the public on November 23, 2026 (entry to the interior is by advance reservation with a time slot every 30 minutes). From the same day, the admission fee for the paid area is revised to 1,000 yen for adults and so on |
| Shikinaen closing day | Every Wednesday (the next day if Wednesday is a holiday) |
In particular, Shikinaen is closed every Wednesday (the next day if Wednesday is a holiday). When choosing your day, avoiding Wednesday is the safe choice.
Recommended order and a sample schedule
The easiest flow is to take the three Naha sites in the morning and then head south to Sefa-utaki. Shikinaen opens at 9:00, so go first thing. Shuri Castle Park has a parking time limit, so plan it around late morning with some margin. Sefa-utaki’s last entry is in the late afternoon, so you can still make it if you head south after lunch.
| 8:30 | Pick up your car at UMUI Rent a Car Naha Airport branch and set off |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Shikinaen (enter at opening; about an hour) |
| 10:30 | Tamaudun (about 30 minutes) |
| 11:15 | Shuri Castle Park (from Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon and Shureimon into the castle grounds; lunch in Shuri too) |
| 13:30 | Leave Shuri for Nanjo City |
| 14:30 | Buy your ticket at Nanjo City Regional Products Center, then Sefa-utaki (the official guide is 50 to 60 minutes for the visit) |
| 16:30 | Head back toward Naha, refuel and return the car |
The times are estimates that assume no traffic. Five sites in one day can feel rushed, so splitting the trip into a “Shuri area day” (Shikinaen, Tamaudun, Shuri Castle) and a “south day” is another option. From November the sun sets early, so it is reassuring to finish the southern visit in the earlier part of the day.
Shikinaen: Walking Around a Royal Villa’s Pond
What is Shikinaen?
Shikinaen is the villa of the Sho royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and is known as a “circuit-style garden,” in which you stroll around a pond as the scenery changes. An island in the pond, stone bridges and artificial hills come together to create a quieter atmosphere than Shuri Castle.
A visit takes about an hour at a relaxed pace around the pond (this is our own estimate, not the official guidance). If you enter right at opening, you can walk the pond without rushing.
| Address | 那覇市真地421-7 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30). From October to March, until 17:30 (last entry 17:00) |
| Closed | Every Wednesday (the next day if it is a holiday) |
| Admission | Adults (individual) 400 yen, children (junior high and under, individual) 200 yen. Free for preschool children accompanied by a guardian |
| Parking | We could not find it on Naha City’s official page. Please check in advance with the Shikinaen management office (098-855-5936) |
| Access | On foot from the “Shikinaen-mae” city bus stop |
Walking tips and etiquette
According to the official guidance, eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed in the garden, and pets are not permitted (except assistance dogs). Stone paths and steps become slippery in the rain, so wear comfortable shoes. From October to March the garden closes earlier, so watch the time if you plan to drop in late in the day.
Getting there and thinking about parking
We could not confirm the number of spaces or fees for Shikinaen’s parking from Naha City’s official page. Some third-party travel sites mention a free lot, but the number of spaces differs between sources, so this article gives no figures. The surest approach is to phone the management office before you leave. In case the lot is full, keep other nearby parking or the city bus in mind as well.
Tamaudun: Visiting the Royal Mausoleum Quietly
The mausoleum of the Second Sho Dynasty, built in 1501
Tamaudun is the mausoleum of the Second Sho Dynasty, built in 1501 by King Sho Shin to re-inter the remains of his father, King Sho En. Stone tomb chambers stand within grounds enclosed by a stone wall. The site is set up for visitors, but it is still a royal burial ground, so it is a place to visit quietly.
Compared with the vivid vermilion buildings of Shuri Castle, the calm stone tones of Tamaudun leave a strong impression. Allow about 30 minutes (our own estimate). It is easy to fit in before or after your visit to Shuri Castle Park.
| Address | 那覇市首里金城町1-3 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30) |
| Closed | Open year-round |
| Admission | Adults (individual) 300 yen, children (junior high and under, individual) 150 yen. Free for preschool children accompanied by a guardian |
| Parking | We could not confirm a dedicated lot on the official page. Please check in advance with the Tamaudun management office (098-885-2861) or the Shuri Castle Park management center (098-886-2020), including the option of parking at the Suimuikan lot and walking |
| Inquiries | Tamaudun management office 098-885-2861 |
Etiquette and what to wear
Tamaudun is a burial ground. Do not talk loudly or run around, do not touch the tomb chambers or stonework, and do not step inside any enclosed area. Follow the on-site signs and staff instructions for the rules. When taking photos, take care not to disturb other visitors or anyone offering prayers.
Shuri is an area with many slopes. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to move around.
Shuri Castle Park and Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon
Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon: where the king prayed for a safe journey
Shuri Castle Park’s official site describes Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon as a place of worship where the king prayed for safety when he left the castle. It is shaped like a gate, but it is not a gate to walk through; it is a “gate of worship” to the gods. The inscription plaque shows it was built in 1519 (during the reign of King Sho Shin). It was partly destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa and restored in 1957. It is now a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
It lies along the route toward Shuri Castle. Since you do not pass through it, stop in front and look quietly, taking care not to get in the way of others.
Shuri Castle Park: the main hall opens to the public on November 23
Shuri Castle was the residence of the Ryukyu kings, and restoration of the main hall, which was destroyed in the 2019 fire, has been under way. The official site announces that Shuri Castle Park will be closed all day on Sunday, November 22, 2026, and in the morning of Monday, November 23. The main hall is scheduled to open to the public on November 23, 2026, and entry to the interior is by advance reservation with a time slot every 30 minutes. The paid area other than the main hall interior can be entered without a reservation.
Admission until November 21, 2026 is 400 yen for adults (individual), 300 yen for high school students and 160 yen for elementary and junior high students. For entries from November 23, it is revised to 1,000 yen for adults (individual), 760 yen for high school students and 370 yen for elementary and junior high students (free for children under 6). Those who want to see the main hall interior need to reserve a ticket that includes a time slot. Check the official site for how to reserve and for availability.
| Address | 那覇市首里金城町1-2 (Shuri Castle Park Management Center) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Free area 8:00 to 19:30 / paid area 8:30 to 19:00 (ticket sales until 18:30). These are the hours for July to November 2026 and vary by season |
| Closed | Temporarily closed all day on Sunday, November 22, 2026, and in the morning of Monday, November 23. For other days, check the official site |
| Admission | Until Nov. 21: adults 400 yen, high school 300 yen, elementary/junior high 160 yen / From Nov. 23: adults 1,000 yen, high school 760 yen, elementary/junior high 370 yen (individual, tax included) |
| Inquiries | Shuri Castle Park Management Center 098-886-2020 (phone hours 8:00 to 18:00) |
Ideas for visiting Shuri Castle on a rainy day are also touched on in our rainy-day guide.
How to use the Suimuikan parking lot
Shuri Castle Park’s official parking is the Suimuikan lot. It has P1 on the first basement level and P2 on the second. According to the official site, the number of spaces available to ordinary vehicles when no bus reservation is involved is up to 58 each in P1 and P2. The fee for small cars is 500 yen for the first 60 minutes, then 250 yen per 30 minutes, with a maximum of 1,000 yen.
| Lot hours | April to November 8:30 to 19:30, December to March 8:30 to 18:30 |
|---|---|
| Parking limit | Within 3 hours |
| Reservations | Not available for ordinary vehicles (depends on availability on the day) |
| Small-car fee | 500 yen for the first 60 minutes, then 250 yen per 30 minutes, maximum 1,000 yen |
The key point is that the Suimuikan lot limits parking to 3 hours, and ordinary vehicles cannot reserve a space. We cover this in more detail in our Naha sightseeing and parking guide. The official site also recommends public transportation because the lot can fill up in the morning. On busy days, walking from Shuri Station on the Yui Rail is another option.
Sefa-utaki: The Highest Sacred Site of the Ryukyu Kingdom
Buying your ticket at Nanjo City Regional Products Center
Sefa-utaki has been regarded as the highest-ranking sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Worship spots are scattered through the forest, including Sangui, where huge rocks lean together to form a triangular space. It is a place to walk with the awareness that it is still a place of prayer, not merely a tourist attraction.
You do not buy your ticket at the entrance to the site; you buy it at the ticket office attached to the Nanjo City Regional Products Center. Setting your car navigation to “Nanjo City Regional Products Center” will keep you from getting lost. A more detailed route is in our southern half-day drive article.
| Address | 沖縄県南城市知念字久手堅 (buy tickets at the ticket office attached to Nanjo City Regional Products Center, 知念字久手堅539) |
|---|---|
| Hours | March to October 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30) / November to February 9:00 to 17:30 (last entry 17:00) |
| Rest days | Three days each in the 5th and 10th months of the lunar calendar. In 2026: June 15 to 17 and November 9 to 11 (in 2027: June 5 to 7) |
| Admission (from Oct. 1, 2026) | Individual: adults (high school age and over) 600 yen, children (elementary and junior high) 300 yen. Groups (20 or more): adults 500 yen, children 300 yen |
| Parking | Guidance mentions Nanjo City Regional Products Center as well as the areas near Ganju-eki Nanjo and Chinen Misaki Park (about 500 m from the lot to the entrance, a 7 to 10 minute walk) |
| Access | About 1 hour by car from Naha Airport |
Construction and rest days: check especially if you travel in November
Drainage construction is under way at Sefa-utaki as part of a conservation and repair project. According to Nanjo City, the work is in two phases. Section 1 (the three-way junction to Yuinchi) is planned for July 1 to November 1, 2026, and Section 2 (Ujoguchi, 御門口, to the three-way junction) for November 2, 2026 to January 5, 2027. Both are planned dates and may change.
During Section 2, admission is free up to Ujoguchi (the Kudaka Island worship spot), and worship spots beyond Ujoguchi are closed to entry. Prayers are made toward them from Ujoguchi. During the restricted period, a “Sefa-utaki Pilgrimage Commemorative Certificate” is scheduled to be handed out.
One more point: Monday, November 9 to Wednesday, November 11, 2026 are rest days based on the lunar calendar, and the site cannot be entered. Even during the construction period, rest days remain closed as usual. Be sure to check the latest information on the official site before deciding your dates.
Fees, guided tours and dress etiquette
The admission fee was revised on October 1, 2026. It is announced that visits made for prayer, such as the Agari Umaai pilgrimage, are not affected by the fee revision. Paid guided tours require advance reservation. For reservations and group inquiries, contact the Nanjo City Tourism Association (Midori-no-Yakata Sefa) at 098-949-1899. Next to the ticket office, “Ganju-eki” shows an approximately 35-minute video about Sefa-utaki.
Because this is a sacred site, visitors are asked to avoid revealing clothing, such as bare shoulders, back or midriff, miniskirts, short shorts and camisoles. The paths are stone-paved or dirt, and become slippery in the rain. There are no restrooms or food facilities inside the site, so use the Regional Products Center before you go. Stay quiet at the worship spots and do not enter areas that are off limits.
Driving Tips and Etiquette for Sacred and Historic Sites
Parking, refueling and time management
At Shuri Castle Park, parking is limited to 3 hours, and we could not confirm parking at Shikinaen or Tamaudun on the official pages. In the Shuri area, it is calmer to think site by site: park at the Suimuikan lot, and call ahead about Shikinaen. Naha’s city center tends to be congested during the morning and evening commute, so we recommend finishing the Shuri area in the morning.
You head to Sefa-utaki in the south by leaving the city on the expressway or national roads. A rental car should be returned with a full tank, so refuel with time to spare before returning. UMUI Rent a Car’s Naha Airport branch offers a free shuttle from the airport and is open from 8:00 to 20:00 every day of the year. Returns are accepted only at our branches, and after you return the car at the Naha Airport branch, we take you to the airport free of charge. Work back from your flight time and return to the branch with plenty of margin.
Etiquette summary for sacred and historic sites
Many World Heritage sites are still tied to worship and daily life. Please keep the following in mind.
- Walk quietly, and avoid loud voices or running
- Do not enter off-limits areas or enclosures, and do not touch stonework or buildings
- Do not cut in front of people praying or other visitors, and take photos with consideration for those around you
- At Sefa-utaki, avoid revealing clothing and wear comfortable shoes
- At Shikinaen, eating, drinking, smoking and bringing pets are not allowed
- Follow each site’s signs and staff instructions
Frequently Asked Questions About a World Heritage Drive
Can I visit all five sites in one day?
It is possible, but it will feel rushed. The three Shuri-area sites and Sefa-utaki in the south are some distance apart, so with travel time included, we recommend splitting it into two days if you want to take your time. If you do it in one day, the easiest flow is the Shuri area in the morning and Sefa-utaki in the afternoon.
Can I still go on a rainy day?
The World Heritage sites are mostly places where you walk outdoors, and the stone paths and steps at Shikinaen and Sefa-utaki become slippery. On a rainy day, do not push yourself: shorten the walking distance or change the date. For ideas on spending a rainy day in Naha, also see our rainy-day guide.
Is it all right if I’m not used to driving?
Shuri is an area with many slopes, so drive slowly and allow plenty of margin. Naha’s city center gets congested in the morning and evening, and some roads have bus-lane restrictions. Watch the signs carefully as you drive.
Traveling through World Heritage sites from Naha to the south shows how the daily life and prayer of the Ryukyu Kingdom still live on in the city and the landscape. UMUI Rent a Car’s Naha Airport branch welcomes you with a free shuttle from the airport. We hope you will consider us for your World Heritage tour.
* The opening hours, prices and other information in this article are current as of October 2026. They may change, so please check each facility’s official website (Naha City, Shuri Castle Park, Nanjo City) before you go. Travel times are estimates assuming no traffic.
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0 / CC BY-SA 3.0 / CC BY-SA 4.0). Photographers are credited in each photo’s caption.
