Travel Photo: UNESCO World Heritage -- Shikina-en Royal Garden

Located in Naha Okinawa

 

 

This is one World Heritage Site worth visiting again and, again.

A quick trip was made through there today because it started looking like it may rain.

Blue skies and an awesome reflection on that pond are things I'll be looking for.

And, I'm always trying to dig up little cultural secrets to share.

Like today, I discovered a good one, I had never heard about before.

A special location sits behind me, as I was shooting this photo. We have to go back and catch it.

The Ryukyu Royalty used to bring Chinese envoys there to impress them.

It's a spot where, no matter which way you turn, you can't see any ocean.

That's pretty clever for some people living on an island.

They got those Chinese dudes, thinking what a big country this place is. Hah !

Standby for some sunshine and blue skies.

Have to get some pictures to show you the view from this place.

  

I'll getterdun.

These Photos Got Me Itchin' to Go Back Inside Shuri Castle

UNESCO Shuri Castle Is the Most Popular Attraction in Okinawa

 

 

Something possessed me today, to look at some old photos, I shot back in 2008.

There was a folder from October with undeveloped RAW files so, I processed them.

Just looking at all the bright colors and that shiny gold got me thinking.

The last time, I went inside this room, was almost, six years ago.

It's not like I haven't been to Shuri Castle lately.

If somebody, was keeping score, I've probably been there more than a hundred times.

One year, I even bought a Shuri Castle Park Passport.

That was probably, the smartest thing, I ever did in that town.

It costs 800 Yen admission fee, to visit the castle one time.

If you buy a Passport, for 1600 Yen, you can visit as many times as you want, for a whole year.

They even allow people to go in there, wearing flip-flops.

Well, I think it's high time, I got back down there and, buy me a new passport.

Then, I'll make sure, I follow all the rules and, shoot some more of that gold.

Once upon a time, we got in a bind for not-following-the-rules.

That was the day, I took these pictures. And, I haven't been back in there, since.

Well I'm older and a little bit wiser, nowadays.

If that security guard hasn't already retired maybe, he won't recognize me, anymore.

A few more grey hairs and a bit longer beard, may fool him.

It would probably be a good idea to wear blue, instead of yellow flip-flops, too.

That does it. I'm going back inside Shuri Castle.  Sounds like a plan.

More About UNESCO World Heritage Shuri Castle

 

 

Photo and Travel Tips

Shuri Castle Day and Night at the Moon Viewing Festival

UNESCO Shuri Castle at Night

The Sacred Water of the New Year

The Critters of UNESCO World Heritage Shuri Castle Pond

Shuri Castle Pond Again and Again

Shureimon Then and Now

Five UNESCO Castles on One Small Island: Okinawa, Japan

Have You Heard of the Ghosts at UNESCO Sefa-Utaki ?

Kudaka Island from Sefa-Utaki

Everybody Loves a Ghost Story

 

Just a few days ago I was there taking photos with Map It Okinawa.

There's no telling how many times I visited this site not knowing about the ghosts.

Now that I've been enlightened, this place deserves several more visits.

Sometimes a Slippery Trail

 Going up the hill to the sacred site (Utaki) it pays to walk with caution.

Your Choice, Sandbags or Stone

Even on a hot, dry day the stones can be slippery.

Short people can get away with just looking down at the ground.

Tall people, have to look up and down.

It's not the ghosts, I worry about.  Banana spiders are what I don't like running into.

The spiders, I don't mind.  It's the sticky webs that get mangled in my hair; I don't like.

 There's almost always travelers looking out at Kudaka Jima.

It's the island, where most Okinawans believe life originated.

This World Heritage Site is rated #3 out of 20 attractions in Nanjo, Okinawa.

Can Anyone See Ghosts ?

Today, when I went to TripAdvisor I learned about a ghost.

It whispered in somebody's camera microphone.

There has to be some way we can document these sorts of things.

It only costs 200 yen to get in there.

If I can catch a ghost for you with my camera, I will.

Then, I bet Sefa-Utaki becomes the #1 attraction in Okinawa, Japan !

Related Post: 

Travel Photo: View of Kudaka From Okinawa

A UNESCO World Heritage Stone Gate in Okinawa: Travel Photos

This stone gate in Okinawa, Japan was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2000.

Built sometime during the 16th Century, it is an architectural example of Chinese influence on the Okinawa islands during the period when Okinawa was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The gate, known as Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon, guards the entranceway of a sacred grove.

It is located just across the street from Shuri Castle.

Many travelers, visiting Okinawa's UNESCO Sites pass right by this cultural asset on the way to the #1 tourist attraction on the island, without even noticing it.

The stone gate was only opened for the King of the Ryukyu Islands and royalty so they could enter the sacred grove before leaving the castle to embark upon a journey.

Here, they would pray to the gods for a safe return.

If you ever travel to Okinawa to see UNESCO World Heritage Sites don't miss this one.

This stone gate could insure you safe return.

Friday Photo: UNESCO Katsuren Castle A Different View

Here is a different view of UNESCO World Heritage Site Katsuren Castle.

This photo was taken to give an idea what the view someone attacking from the sea would be looking at.  
The Castle is at least 150 meters above sea level and you'd have had to go over some fairly rough terrain to get up there to attack them if you were coming from a ship back in the old days.

JUST TO GET SOME BIG ROCKS DROPPED ON YOUR HEAD !

 

UNESCO Katsuren-jo Okinawa, Japan: Travel Photo Thursday

Katsuren-jo (Castle) is one of  five UNESCO World Heritage Castles in Okinawa, Japan.  This photo was taken back in October of 2008 and I titled it "Stairway to Heaven".

It was a catchy title and the judges liked it when I entered it in a contest but, I was only foolin'. Heaven ain't up there.  I checked it out for ya. It's a good climb, up all the stairs, and you get a great view of the surrounding area on a clear day. Maybe, even meet some pretty girls up there. But, there's no ice cream or even a place to buy coffee. That's how I know it ain't heaven.

This will be my weekly contribution to Budget Travelers Sandbox TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY

If you're really interested in visiting the Five UNESCO Castles on Okinawa CHECK HERE for the details and you can get my directions, advice on what to wear, costs and even a link to the Official Government Website, just in case ya think I'm foolin' around, again !

The Quarter Million Views must have happened while I was asleep last night and the crazy meter just keeps on going. I'm still waiting to see if anyone snapped a screenshot. I hope someone did, because I really appreciate people visiting my blog, looking at my photos and maybe, even reading the nonsense I ramble on about. Thank you all !

Travel Photo Thursday: UNESCO Castle Nakajin: A New Angle

Here is UNESCO World Heritage Site: Nakajin-jo (Castle) in Okinawa, Japan from a new angle.  This will be my weekly submission to LadyExpat's Budget Travelers Sandbox.

Last night, I got in a rush and thought I'd get off easy submitting that photo I did a simple HDR job on.  Well, that probably won't cut the mustard with LadyE.

In my almost-thorough-research I'm always pretending to do, I discovered: SHE GOT THAT PHOTO FROM ME BEFORE !

It was way back in 2010. That was, like, last year. December of last year to be exact. SHUCKS.

So, seeing as I have gazillions of photos of these UNESCO Castles that have never seen digital daylight, I dug up a different one. This is from a new angle, one that most travelers don't get to see.

All the touristy brochures show castles from the entrance. That's nice if you're looking around for front doors to go through to visit these historic landmarks.

Act like Hagar the Horrible and knock on the castle's front door to do the Viking Trick or Treat thing.

Sometimes, I like to go and shoot castles from different positions.  Usually, that has something to do with where the light shines best for my purposes. And, it gives me photos that nobody else gets, not even on postcards. I got the part of the castle someone coming from the sea to attack the place might run into.

They built these castles by stacking cut limestone rocks without any mortar. Now, imagine sailing your boat from China, Indonesia, Norway, Pennsylvania, Scotland (They discovered America, ya know) or any one of those foreign countries and climbing over 300 meters above sea level to attack Nakajin Castle. If you didn't go knock on the front door, this is what you'd see.

Guess what would happen when you started attacking and hollering "Yer money or your life" ?

Nothing would happen.  The defenders of the Ryukyu Kingdom would just wait.

They would wait until you started getting real close and climbing the walls. That's when the good stuff starts to happen. They'd pick up the unmortared rocks and drop them on your head.  Hah !

This should keep me from getting into DEEP KIMCHI with Lady Expat for this week's Travel Photo Thursday. I wonder if she really eats that stuff ?