Shikina-en (Shikina Garden) served as a restful retreat for members of the royal family and was also used to entertain visiting Chinese envoys and further Ryukyuan-Chinese diplomatic ties. It is located in Naha, just south of Shuri Castle.

Construction of Shikina-en began in 1783 during the reign of King Sho Buku and was completed in 1800. The first time the gardens and residence were used in an official capacity was in 1800, when a Chinese investiture envoy came to confirm the accession of King Sho On to the throne of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. Such envoys came under the direction of the Emperor of China to perform enthronement ceremonies for new kings and to give the legitimacy to their rule.

Shikina-en was also known as Nanen (“south garden”) during the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The name distinguished the garden from Toen (“east garden”, also known as Ochaya Goten), which was a teahouse the royal family also maintained for diplomatic purposes.

Like most everything on the southern portion of the island, Shikina-en was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Efforts to rebuild it began in 1975 and took place over the next 20 years.

Today, visitors enter the garden through the Yajou Gate, which was originally reserved only for guests of noble stature. Shikina-en’s central feature is a large pond fed by Ikutokusen Spring. Two wells were drilled into the spring. One was drilled to celebrate the investiture of King Sho On in 1800. The Chief Envoy that came for the occasion was Choubunkai. In his record of the journey, Choubunkai dubbed the well Ikutokusenhi, which translates to “Cultivation of Virtue Spring.” The Chinese characters for this phrase are inscribed on the well today. The second well was constructed in honor of the coronation of King Sho Iku in 1838 and was named Kanreienreihi (which translates to “Sweet Waters of Long Life”) by Chief Envoy Rinkounen.

In the middle of the pond is a small island linked to the rest of the gardens by a short bridge made of local limestone. The Rokakudo, a six-sided, Chinese-style structure, is the most imposing feature of the pond.

Surrounding the pond are pathways and several buildings. The main pavilion, called Goten, was crafted from the high-grade lumber at the time of its original construction, and contained 15 rooms. The most elaborate of these was the main hall, which was used for receiving Chinese envoys. Across the way is an observation platform that rises above the garden and offers a beautiful view of the grounds.

In 2000, UNESCO designated Shikina-en as one of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, making it a World Heritage Site.

Shikina-en is open daily, except Wednesdays. Exceptions to the garden’s normal hours of operation occur on national holidays. From October 1 to March 31, the gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From April 1 to September 30, the garden is open for an additional 30 minutes. Admission is ¥300 for adults and ¥100 for children 13 and under.