[2025 Naha Attraction] Travel Guide for Shikinaen (Updated Mar)

On my recent trip to Japan, I stumbled upon an incredibly underrated yet breathtakingly beautiful place that I just have to share! Ginowan City, a charming coastal town full of surprises, awaits your discovery. Join me on a virtual tour! Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Ginowan City in the morning, take the monorail to your hotel to check in, and leave your luggage. Then, walk to Ginowan Seaside Park, stroll along the beach, enjoy the sea breeze, and soak in the tranquility of the ocean. I recommend spending 2–3 hours here. Day 2: Spend the entire day exploring the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Easily accessible by bus from your hotel, it boasts the world's largest acrylic viewing window, where you can witness whale sharks gracefully swimming – a truly awe-inspiring sight. Allocate at least 5 hours for this visit. Day 3: Take a taxi to Shikinaen Royal Gardens in the morning. The serene beauty of this traditional Japanese garden is on full display. Spend about 2 hours exploring its wonders. In the afternoon, take a bus to Kokusai Street and indulge in some shopping and delicious food. Highlights The sunset at Ginowan Seaside Park is simply mesmerizing. Watch as the yolk-like sun slowly dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and red – a sight that will move you to tears. Inside the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the enchanting underwater tunnel feels like a portal to a fairytale world, with giant manta rays gliding overhead. It's a truly magical experience. Shikinaen Royal Gardens offers picturesque views at every turn, with ponds, rockeries, and lush greenery complementing each other, creating an atmosphere of ancient charm. Food Recommendations Don't miss out on "Danbo Ramen," located near Kokusai Street. Their signature tonkotsu ramen features a rich and creamy broth, perfectly chewy noodles, and thick, generous slices of chashu pork. Every mouthful is pure bliss! Another must-try is the Makishi Public Market, where you can choose your own fresh seafood and have it cooked to your liking. The steamed grouper is incredibly tender and melts in your mouth. Accommodation Experience I stayed at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginowan, which boasts a fantastic location, just a 5-minute walk from the monorail station. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable, with soft bedding. The friendly front desk staff also provides helpful travel advice, ensuring a pleasant stay. Things to Note It's best to purchase tickets for the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in advance on the official website to avoid long queues. The weather in Ginowan City can be unpredictable, so remember to bring an umbrella. Also, have some small change ready when taking the bus, as some buses don't provide change. Ginowan City is truly a place full of delightful surprises. From its stunning scenery to its delectable cuisine, it offers an unforgettable experience. I'm sure you'll fall in love with it too, so start planning your trip now!

(Shikinaen) ♥️♥️♥️ Address: 421-7 Maaji, Naha, Okinawa 902-0072 Japan You can see how ancient houses were built and learn some historical stories👍👍👍. Well maintained and full of greenery❣️❣️. A quiet spot in a bustling city. If you drive, parking is very convenient. It is worth a visit👍👍👍. The environment inside is quiet❣️, and the forest landscaping is beautiful❣️. It is highly recommended to come. 👍👍👍 #Good Places to Go in February 2025 #Okinawa #Okinawa Free Travel #Okinawa Tourism #Good Places to Go in the New Year 2025

#1月好去地方2025 Shikina Garden - "Travel to the Imperial Palace, Quiet Shikina Garden" As a "World Cultural Heritage" attraction, Shikina Garden is less well-known, but after visiting it, you will find that it is full of elegance and has a strong Chinese architectural style. In ancient times, it was an important place to entertain nobles. It is a "pond-style" garden, and is equipped with Ryukyu's unique red tile roof architecture. The overall visual adds a lot of simple and beautiful style! ! 📚Overview: Located in the south of Shuri Castle, it is also known as "Nanyuan". In addition to being the detached palace of the Ryukyu Dynasty, it is also an important place to entertain nobles or Chinese envoys. The most famous thing in the park is the "Heart Pond", which is romantic and elegant~ 📕Class time: It was built by the second Sho Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom and completed in 1799 during the reign of the 15th King Sho On. It is the largest detached residence of the Ryukyu royal family. It was mainly used for leisure of the royal family and for receiving envoys from the Chinese emperor for conferring titles. It was designated as a "National Scenic Spot" in 1941, but after being damaged during World War II, it was restored and recognized as a "National Scenic Spot" in 1976. In 2000, it was designated as a "National Special Scenic Spot". You can stroll here and think about the glory of the past dynasties! ✨Inside the garden: ~Walking path~ From the entrance to the inner part of the garden, you will first pass through a quiet path, with many banyan trees and hollyhocks planted on the side of the road, as if telling the visiting travelers to slow down and calm down, and take a good walk in this quiet garden! ! ~Goden~ Located in the central garden of Shikina-en, the Goden has 15 rooms with a total area of ​​about 160 square meters. Inside, you can see various remains of receiving distinguished guests, including banquet rooms, tea rooms, kitchens, etc. The most important thing is to sit by the eaves and admire the "Hexagonal Hall" in the distance, supplemented by the beautiful scenery of the "Heart-shaped Pond", which is like appreciating a long horizontal painting ~ quite interesting for scholars! ~Heart Pond~ The pond in front of the palace looks like the Chinese character "心" when viewed from above, hence the name. The pond is connected by a stone bridge, which is built in imitation of the "Taihu Stone" in Chinese gardens. You can find traces of Chinese style everywhere👣! ~ Rokkakudo ~ You can reach it by crossing the stone bridge over the Shinji Pond. There are many Ryukyu pines and willows planted around it. Although willows are not uncommon in Japanese gardens, they are almost non-existent in Ryukyu! ! I think it was really carefully designed back then~ ~Kangentai~ It is an observation deck in the garden. It used to be a whole piece of farmland. It is said that it was designed to let Chinese envoys feel the vastness of the Ryukyu land, which is quite intended to show the national prestige of the Ryukyu Kingdom! : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

#getgoing2025 Shikinaen is the garden of the royal residence built in 1799. It is also known as "Nanyuan" because it exists in the south of Shuri Castle, and it was also used to entertain the envoy of the Chinese emperor. The site area is 12,726 tsubo. It was an important project that raised the country to spend time with better relations with trading partners. The highlight is Rokkakudo, which is full of Chinese atmosphere. The awn built on a small island floating in the pond will be wrapped in the scent of history. In addition, there are other magnificent circular gardens, such as Ikutoku Spring, which does not wither, and the heart-shaped pond that breaks down the character of "heart". The tour course of the palace is partially off-limits, so please check it.

Shikinaen Garden (Shikinaen) is a Japanese garden located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and has a beautiful history dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era. The garden was built on the site of the residence of the Shikina family, who were nobles of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the garden itself has a history of about 250 years. Shikinaen Garden has a unique atmosphere that combines the beauty of Japanese gardens with the charm of Ryukyu culture, offering visitors a space of tranquility and healing. Inside the garden, there are scenic views of ponds and rock arrangements, flowers that bloom in each season, and Ryukyuan-style buildings that are highlights for enjoyment. Despite being located in Naha City, Shikinaen Garden is a place surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and is loved by tourists and locals alike.

Located in the south of Shuri Castle, Shina-en Garden, time stays in the summer of the Tokujo Kingdom. Shina-en, which was once used by the Ryukyu royal family as a palace garden and to receive Chinese envoys, is influenced by the Yamato Kingdom and the Central Plains Dynasty in its architecture. Japanese-style garden circulation path, water-eroded stone arch bridge and Chinese-style summer pavilion...there are mountains, water and small bridges. If you want to walk through the green forest, walk inside a Ryukyu house, look at the garden, and meet guardian cats and jinri, this ancient and quiet garden is worth a visit for visitors to Shuri. #Okinawa must-visit attractions #Okinawa architecture #Okinawa #Shinameen Garden #Cultural Tourism #Okinawa Cultural Tourism #Chinese-Japanese Architecture # Ryukyu # Ryukyu Kingdom # Ryukyu Kingdom Traces

#OkinawaTourism The culture of the Ryukyu Dynasty seems to be mixed with Japanese culture that is not typical of Okinawa in a good way, creating a fresh exotic atmosphere and a mysterious nostalgic atmosphere. It is also rich in nature, so you can spend some relaxing time in between busy sightseeing in Okinawa. It is easily accessible from within the city, so I recommend it.