Shurijo Reconstruction Festival 2026: A Royal Procession in Naha
Four hundred and fifty people in Ryukyuan court dress take over Naha’s main shopping street, led by the king and queen in a lacquered palanquin.
Overview
Shuri Castle was the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom and is a World Heritage site. After the 2019 fire destroyed the main hall, the autumn festival was renamed the Shurijo Reconstruction Festival, and it now doubles as a marker of the rebuilding – the new main hall is scheduled for completion in autumn 2026.
The festival recreates the kingdom’s ceremonial life across three days, in the castle park and down in the city.
When and where
Shuri Castle Park has confirmed 1 to 3 November 2026, built around Culture Day on 3 November. The Ryukyu Dynasty Picture Scroll Procession runs on Kokusai-dori on 2 November; the Koshiki Gyoretsu court procession takes place at Shuri Castle Park on 3 November.
Nearest station: Shuri, on the Yui Rail monorail, then about 15 minutes on foot.
Getting there
From Naha Airport, the Yui Rail monorail runs to Shuri in about 30 minutes; from Kokusai-dori, use Makishi station. Buses also stop at Shurijo-koen Iriguchi. Expect congestion around the park during the festival – the organisers ask visitors to use public transport.
What to expect
Three days with a different centrepiece each day.
- The Picture Scroll Procession on Kokusai-dori, with around 450 participants including the Chinese sappushi envoys
- The Koshiki Gyoretsu, recreating the king’s pilgrimage to three temples below the castle
- VR sessions showing the rebuilt main hall before it opens
- An awamori feature at the Zeni-gura storehouse, timed to Awamori Day on 1 November
- Evening lantern events in the park with live music and food stalls
Tickets and admission
The processions on the street are free to watch. Entry to the paid areas of Shuri Castle Park costs the usual admission, with discounts during the festival; Okinawa residents aged 70 and over enter free at any time.
Tips for visitors
Watch the scroll procession from the Kokusai-dori side on 2 November – the street setting is more dramatic than the park. Get to the park early on 3 November for the court procession, then stay for the views over Naha from the walls. The stone paving is uneven throughout the site, so wear flat shoes.
Access and map
| Dates | 1-3 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Shuri Castle Park and Kokusai-dori, Naha, Okinawa |
| Access | Yui Rail to Shuri, 15 minutes on foot |
| Admission | Free on the street; paid areas of the park charge admission |
| Official site | Shuri Castle Park |
Source: Shuri Castle Park official site
Image: Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
