It was the Shurijo Castle for us after spending our first morning along the Kokusai Dori in Naha. After a quick lunch of fried chicken at KFC outside the city's main department store, we looked for the monorail to go to the Shurijo Castle. What I liked about the monorail ride this time was the view. Since the monorail traveled up a hill, the view of the city from the train car was spectacular.

The Shurijo Castle is one of the must sees in Naha. In fact, it comes in first in the list. Although the famous castle burned last 2019, it is now being rebuilt and is actually nearly finished. I think it's slated to reopen to the public sometime this 2026. Meanwhile, the castle grounds are open for visits and although there is admission to enter, the fee is minimal. I highly recommend a visit here.

At the time of our visit, there were lots of other tourists. In fact, there were many high school students on a field trip as well. Plenty of them. There was a building which showed a film about the Shurjio Castle as well as the work that has gone into its reconstruction. I was so pleased to find a pair of Shiisas at the gift shop at the price I was willing to pay. The quality was very good and much less than the astronomical prices many souvenir stores along the Kokusai Dori were charging. We caught a glimpse of the castle and I have to say, it is breathtaking. The red paint is shiny and luminous.