Page 286 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

EXPERIENCE

1 of Asian aromas, crowded Shuri, the 16th-century former
capital, lies 4 miles (6 km)
alleys, and stalls selling
Naha City Okinawan art, crafts, bric- east of central Naha. It con-
那覇市 a-brac, and exotic foods. tains various shrines, temples,
To the east, along Himeyuri-
ceremonial gates, and forti-
EXPERIENCE Okinawa (098) 857-6884 Tsuboya which dates from the sophistication of the Ryukyu
! F7 ⌂ Okinawa Island
fications – a reminder of the
dori, is the pottery quarter of
k g Naha @ n Airport 1F;
late 17th century. Over 20
kingdom. Ryusen and bingata
work shops still produce wine
Shuri, the most historical
(p290) fabrics are made,
exhibited, and sold at the
flasks, tea bowls, and shisa
settlement in Okinawa, was
(statues of a legendary lion,
its capital until the islands
Shuri Ryusen, where the
became part of Japan in
propitious roof ornaments).
4,000 exhibits, the Okinawa
1879, after which Naha was
You can see examples at the
declared the capital. The two used all around the island as materials are dyed. With over
Prefectural Museum & Art
cities have since expanded Tsuboya Pottery Museum. Museum highlights the area’s
and merged. Naha prospered Also of interest in central art and culture, and has the
through its seaborne trade Naha are the Sogen-ji Ishi mon original bells from Shuri Castle
with other parts of Asia and, Gates. The temple itself, and the temple Engaku-ji.
eventually, the West. The city origin ally a 16th-century Shuri Castle was the
that emerged from the ruins memorial to the Ryukyu kings, headquarters of the Japanese
of World War II is a bustling was destroyed in the war; three High command during the
center, with the archipelago’s of the original arched stone war, resulting in its total
best restaurants, nightlife, gates have been restored. destruction. Shurei-mon, the
and shopping. The Commodore Perry castle’s ceremonial entrance
A long thoroughfare in Memorial by Tomari port gate, was rebuilt in 1958.
central Naha, Kokusai-dori marks the point where the
(International Street) typifies commander of the American
the new city, with its boutiques “black ships” landed on
and craft shops. The atmo- June 6, 1853.
sphere along Heiwa-dori
market street (to the south,
off Kokusai-dori) harks back Naha City’s imposing
to an older Naha. Started by Shurei-mon (inset)
widows who had lost their leading to Shuri Castle,
husbands in the Battle of with its richly decorated
Okinawa, the market is full Seiden (main hall)

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