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Historic monument · Naha, Okinawa
Tamaudun
Royal mausoleum of the Ryukyu Kingdom, built in 1501 next to Shuri Castle, with stone chambers that echo the palace and stone guardian lions on the roof. A World Heritage site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Tamaudun in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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Discover
About Tamaudun
Tamaudun is the mausoleum of the Second Shō Dynasty, which ruled the Ryukyu Kingdom from the late 15th century until 1879. It was built in 1501 by King Shō Shin to receive the remains of his father and, later, the kings and queens of the lineage. It lies a few minutes’ walk from Shuri Castle, on a plot enclosed by limestone walls.
The tomb follows Okinawan house-shaped burial type, carved into the rock and covered with a stone façade that imitates a palace roof. There are three chambers: the central one, where bodies were left until only the bones remained; the eastern chamber, where the washed bones of kings and queens were kept in urns; and the western chamber, for other family members. Guardian lion-dog sculptures, the shisa, watch over the roof.
The site was heavily damaged in the Battle of Okinawa and restored between 1974 and 1977. It was the first Okinawan property designated a National Treasure in the architecture category and is part of the “Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom” inscribed by UNESCO in 2000.
At the entrance, a small underground visitor center explains Ryukyuan funerary rites, the washing of bones, and the genealogy of the kings. The mausoleum courtyard is quiet and demands respect: it is a grave, and the chambers are not to be entered.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
In the morning, from the same exit as Shuri Castle, when it’s cooler and the façade has good light. Check the closing time, which is usually in the late afternoon.
How to get there
About a 5-minute walk from the Shureimon gate of Shuri Castle, and about 15 minutes from Shuri station on the monorail.
Tip
Visit the underground information center before entering the courtyard to understand the three chambers. Combine this visit with the castle and Kinjo stone-paved path in the same morning.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Tamaudun
What is Tamaudun?
It is the mausoleum of the kings of the second Sho dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom, built in 1501 near Shuri Castle. It is part of the World Heritage listing.
Can you enter the chambers of Tamaudun?
No. Visits are from the courtyard in front of the facade; the chambers remain closed. An information center at the entrance explains the interior.
Is Tamaudun near Shuri Castle?
Yes, about a 5-minute walk from the Shureimon gate, and it is usually visited the same morning.
Is there an entrance fee for Tamaudun?
Yes, there is a ticket, separate from the castle’s; check the current prices.
Beyond the guide
