18 Apr 2013

The Tamaudun Royal Mausoleum

16th Century Tomb of the 2nd Sho Dynasty

Oleh Michael Flemming

Community writer

Tamaudun as seen from inside the outer ring of its two courts

The east room of Tamaudun was designated for kings and queens

The steps and door leading to the center room in which bones of the deceased were cleaned

A stone talisman atop Tamaudun keeps evil spirits away from the entombed

Only one of the original two guard houses have been restored

A Kotsutsubo representative of those used to hold the remains of the dead inside Tamaudun as shown in the small museum inside the admission gate

A placard inside the Tamaudun museum details how limestone used at Tamaudun was mined from coral in the Ryukyu Islands

The inner court as seen through a stone archway from the outer court

Shisa dogs line a stone fence along the entrance to the western room where family members other than kings and queens were entombed

Built in 1501 by King Sho Shin as a new resting place for his late father King Sho En, Tamaudun is the Royal Mausoleum of the Second Sho Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The tomb consists of a center room to wash the bones of the deceased, an east room for the remains of kings and queens, and a west room for all other family members.

Tamaudun was damaged during World War II but has been fully restored. It was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December, 2000.

Admission is free for toddlers. 100 yen for older children, and 200 yen for high school-aged children and adults. Tamaudun is open year round from 9:00 ~ 18:00.

Walk to the site from the Monorail Shuri Station or take Bus 1, 8, 17 or 46 from Naha Terminal to the Shurijo Park stop. If driving to Tamaudun access Route 29 from Route 58 in Naha, take a right onto Route 50 and park in the Shuri Castle parking area; parking in the area starts at 500 yen for two hours.