Sonohyanutaki Ishigmon

Sonohyanutaki Ishimon

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A must-see stone gate when visiting Shurijo Castle; experience the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

World Heritage
Historic Sites
Castle
Shrines and Temples

Tourist destination images of Sonohyanutaki Ishigmon(1)

HighlightsA place of worship where the Ryukyu king prayed for safe travels before embarking on journeys.
Considered a sacred site of the kingdom.
Beyond the gate lies a sacred 'mitake' forest, a place of religious faith.
Constructed from Ryukyu limestone, the gate is entirely made of stone, except for the wooden doors.
Features architectural elements like a gently curving roof, arabesque carvings, and stone sculptures of a flame jewel (kaen hoju) and shachihoko (a mythical lion-dog).

Basic Information

Address: 1-17-3 Shuri Shimawaza-cho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture Search for tourist attractions in Okinawa

Access: ■ Take the Yui Rail From Naha Airport, take the Yui Rail and get off at Shuri Station. It's about a 15-minute walk from the station. *A Shuri Castle Town Line (Route 8) bus is also available from Shuri Station (get off at the Shurijojo-mae bus stop, a 3-minute walk to the Shureimon Gate). Show route

Op.Hours: 24 hours a day

Cld.Days: None

Fee: Included in the Shurijo Castle admission fee. Adult: ¥840 High school student: ¥420 Middle school student: ¥210 Elementary school student: ¥100 Preschool child: Free

INFO: The Sonohyanutaki Ishigmon (stone gate) is located within the grounds of Shurijo Castle, and can only be visited during Shurijo Castle's opening hours. Shurijo Castle's opening hours vary depending on the season, so please check in advance.

HP: https://www.okinawastory.jp/feature/heritage/sonohyanutaki_ishimon

Overview

Sonohyanutaki Ishigmon is a stone gate from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, located to the left of the main hall of Shurijo Castle. Built in 1519 by King Sho Shin, the third king of the Second Sho Dynasty, this gate served as a place of worship where the Ryukyu king prayed for safe travels before embarking on journeys throughout the kingdom. It was considered a sacred site of the kingdom. Beyond the gate lies a sacred 'mitake' forest, a place of religious faith that continues to be cherished as a sacred space. The mitake enshrines a portion of the deity 'Sonohiyabū of Ueta' from Iheyajima Island, an island with ties to the royal family. Constructed from Ryukyu limestone, the gate is entirely made of stone, except for the wooden doors. The gate's architecture is captivating, featuring elements often seen in Japanese temples: a gently curving roof that rises higher in the center, arabesque carvings, and stone sculptures of a flame jewel (kaen hoju) and a shachihoko (a mythical creature resembling a Chinese lion-dog). Interestingly, the gate employs optical illusions using perspective, making its restoration a particularly challenging undertaking. When visiting Shurijo Castle, be sure to visit Sonohyanutaki Ishigmon. It offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the sacred atmosphere of the mitake forest will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.