Shurijo Castle Festival is one of Naha’s biggest and most important events, celebrating the legacy of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. Despite the terrible fire which destroyed much of Shuri Castle in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers are determined to push ahead with festivities.
This year, the Ryukyu Dynasty Parade on Kokusai Dori will not be going ahead, but there are plenty of events planned for the grounds of Shuri Castle.
The festivities which take place at Shuri Castle are a solemn reenactment of the procession of the Ryukyu King to the three temples near Shurijo Castle. The king would go every year to these three temples to pray for peace and prosperity. It is very striking to see the beautiful Ryukyu traditional dress with the backdrop of Shuri Castle.
