Shuri Castle Reopens in Naha as Ryūkyū Royal Seiden Hall Returns After 2019 Fire

The Seiden, principal hall of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, reopens to the public on 23 November 2026 following years of restoration work. The castle served as the royal residence of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and its rebuilt main hall restores public access to the former ceremonial heart of the site. Reconstruction was launched after a fire on 31 October 2019 destroyed nine buildings, among them the Seiden and the north and south halls. The blaze prompted donations and expressions of solidarity from within Japan and abroad. Work on the main hall formally began in November 2022, after investigations, archaeological surveys and the sourcing of materials. Wooden framing was completed in 2023, followed by roofing and restoration of the vermilion-lacquered façade, finished in 2025. The reopening is described as a major but not final stage: the north and south halls and other parts of the palace complex are to be restored in phases, with work expected to continue over the coming years and possibly into the 2030s. The site anchors a wider cultural landscape of traditional dance, craft, sanshin music, local languages and ceremonies, and the surrounding city of Naha offers markets, shrines and historic districts. The announcement also frames Okinawa as a destination combining heritage with subtropical nature, coral reefs, diving sites, bingata textiles, pottery and a cuisine associated with the island's reputation as a 'blue zone' known for longevity.