Sonobiyamu Utaki Stone Gate

Sono Hiyanutaki Ishimon is a Ryukyu limestone stone gate located between Shoreimon and Huangaimon at the entrance of Shuri Castle Park, and was registered as a World Heritage site in 2000 as one of the "Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. It was built in 1519 (the 43rd year of King Shojin's reign) by a master craftsman from Taketomi Island, Yaeyama, and was used as a place of worship for the royal family to pray for safety on the way when the king went out of the castle. It also played an important role as the first place of worship for the inauguration ceremony of Kikoe Ookun, "Oaroori". Except for the wooden doors, the entire building is constructed of Ryukyu limestone, and features a unique design that skillfully expresses Japanese and Chinese wooden architectural styles in stone. The building was severely damaged during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, but was restored in 1956 using travertine wood.