Shuri Castle Fantasia Night: Guided Tours and Hands-On Workshops (December 7-23, 2024)

Are you ready to step into the living history of Okinawa? This December, Shuri Castle is hosting an exciting restoration event, giving you the chance to see the castle as it’s being rebuilt. And it’s not just about looking—there are fun hands-on activities and expert-led tours. Let’s get into the details! 🏯✨

When and Where 🗓️

• Dates: Weekends from December 7th to December 23rd, 2024
• Location: Shuri Castle Park, 1-2 Shuri Kinjo-cho, Naha City, Okinawa

Parking 🚗

There is parking available, but please try to use public transportation to help reduce traffic around Shuri Castle. It gets a bit hectic around there, and we don’t need more chaos. 😅

Daytime and Nighttime Events 🌞🌜

Daytime Events (All 6 Days)

The daytime events are packed with activities to bring the castle’s history to life. You can join in on a guided tour by Okinawan history experts and get involved in a hands-on workshop. You’ll even make a souvenir keychain using real wood scraps from the restoration of the castle—talk about a unique keepsake! 🗝️

• Dates: December 7 (Sat), 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun), 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun)
• Times:
  • 9:00 – 10:30
  • 9:30 – 11:00
  • 10:00 – 11:30
  • 10:30 – 12:00
  • 13:00 – 14:30
  • 13:30 – 15:00
  • 14:00 – 15:30
  • 14:30 – 16:00
  • 15:00 – 16:30

Note: Advance reservations are required, so don’t snooze! 🕒

Nighttime Events 🌠

The nighttime events offer an illuminated tour of Shuri Castle, which sounds magical. But unfortunately, it’s already sold out! No late-night adventures this time. 🚫💡 But hey, there’s always next year, right?

Workshops and Activities 🎨

Shuri Castle Restoration Tour & Hands-On Workshop 🛠️

Want to learn about restoration and make something cool? You’re in luck. This workshop offers both—history from experts (including quizzes for the little ones) and a craft session where you get to make a keychain from the same materials used in the restoration of the main hall of Shuri Castle. Pretty awesome, right?

• Admission Fee:
  • Adults: 400 yen
  • High School Students: 300 yen
  • Elementary/Middle School Students: 160 yen
  • Kids under 6: Free 🎉

Kumiodori Workshop at Shuri Castle 🕺

• Date: December 7 (Sat)
• Time: 15:00 – 16:00
• Location: Shuri Castle Seiden (paid area)
• Participation Fee: Free (but you do need to pay the admission fee to the park)

A chance to learn Kumiodori, Okinawa’s traditional dance-theater. Perfect for those who want to stretch their acting skills, or just wave their arms around dramatically! 🎭

Mobile Toy Museum “Wood Education Caravan” 🚚🧸

• Dates: December 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun)
• Time: 10:00 – 16:00
• Location: Shurimorikan Lawn Area (free area)
• Participation Fee: Free

This one’s all about interactive fun for kids. A traveling toy museum focusing on wood education (think of it as sustainable fun!). In case of rain, activities will be moved to the Guidance Hall inside Shurimorikan. 🌧️🔄🏠

Tickets and Admission 🎟️

• Admission Fees:
  • Adults: 400 yen
  • High School Students: 300 yen
  • Elementary/Middle School Students: 160 yen
  • Kids under 6: Free

For those of you attending the daytime events, you’ll need a ticket for admission. If you’re planning to attend the Kumiodori Workshop, remember that even though it’s free, the regular park admission fee still applies.

Wrap Up 🎉

This event is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Shuri Castle’s rich history while it’s literally being rebuilt. From expert tours to crafty workshops and even a Kumiodori session, there’s something for everyone. If you’ve got a weekend free in December, it might be the best chance to experience a bit of Okinawan culture and a glimpse of Shuri Castle in its current glory.

Disclaimer

⚠️Disclaimer: Our passion for supporting local businesses drives us to share information about events in the Okinawa area. Please note that Oki Social is not responsible for hosting this event. It’s important to be aware that the event’s host reserves the right to make changes or even cancel the event without prior notice. Some photos and videos may come from various sources on the internet, whether official or unofficial. It is possible that some photos and videos may have been taken from the same event in previous occurrences.

Are you navigating the wild world of Social Media?

Fantastic! Glide on over and give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram. It’s like having a little sunshine in your digital life! And for the cherry on top, join our Okinawa Bucket List Facebook group. It’s your go-to spot for all the coolest, must-do activities in Okinawa. It’s like having a front-row seat to the best show in town, all from the comfort of your screen.