Ryukyu Memories: The Red Walls of Shuri Castle in the Afternoon

In the afternoon, Shuri Castle is bathed in a warm red glow, as if a cloak of time has awakened the memories of the Ryukyu Kingdom once more. The majestic gates and weathered stone walls invite you to stroll through, where you can almost hear the echoes of courtly music and the murmurs of literary gatherings from the past. Despite having been rebuilt after devastating fires, Shuri Castle retains an indescribable soul. Standing before the Shureimon Gate, I gaze at the distant cityscape of Okinawa, and a feeling of nostalgia mixed with resolve wells up in my heart. On journeys, there are always places you linger at—not for the scenery, but for the lingering echoes of history. Shuri Castle is one such place.