The Japanese government announced on May 26 that it will hold a completion ceremony this November to mark the restoration of the main hall of Shuri Castle in Okinawa Prefecture. The event marks a milestone after a fire destroyed much of the historic complex in 2019.
According to the announcement, the ceremony is scheduled for mid-November, with government officials, local representatives and the public expected to attend. Shuri Castle, once the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The restoration of the castle's main hall began in 2022, with a budget of about 10 billion yen (approximately $73 million) funded by the central and local governments. Traditional construction techniques and local materials were used to restore the original architecture.
The Prime Minister of Japan is expected to attend the ceremony, underscoring the government's commitment to preserving cultural heritage. After the ceremony, the new main hall will open to visitors from late November.
