Shuri Castle

In the 1850s, American Commodore Perry invaded Shuri-jo Castle two times but was twice refused audience with the king. From 1879 to 1896, the castle was used as a barracks for the Imperial Japanese Army, who created a series of tunnels and caverns beneath the castle grounds. It wasn’t until 1925 that the castle--after being saved by Shuri City and Japanese architect Ito Chuta--was re-designated as Okinawa Shrine and announced a national treasure. 

During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army once again set up headquarters in the castle underground and used the area as a strategic base of operations. For three days, from May 23, 1945, an American battleship shelled the castle and forced the Imperial Japanese Army to retreat, striking a heavy blow and winning a milestone in the US campaign. In 1992, the castle relics, such as stone walls and old piles of castle walls were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In the early hours of 2019 Halloween, a fire broke out which destroyed six castle buildings occupying 4,200 square meters. Locals of the Okinawa area felt this loss acutely. No plans have been announced to rebuild the castle as of yet. Unique for its more Chinese-like architecture, the destruction of Shuri-jo Castle represents a staggering blow for Japanese heritage sites.