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A gate in the eastern side of the outer walls known as the Keiseimon (継世門) serves essentially as the rear gate to the compound, situated as it is on the opposite end of the compound from the main gates to the castle, the Shureimon and Kankaimon. A pair of stelae which stand at the Keiseimon are said to have been erected in 1544, and were intended to serve as spiritual or symbolic protection against ''[[wako|wakô]]''<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keiseimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. Two other outer gates, called the Uekimon (右掖門) and Shukujunmon (淑順門), situated to the north side of the complex, provided access to an inner garden, called the ''ouchibara'' (御内原) in Okinawan. Today, tourists following the designated route pass through the Uekimon on their way out of the castle at the end of their visit<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Uekimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

A gate in the eastern side of the outer walls known as the Keiseimon (継世門) serves essentially as the rear gate to the compound, situated as it is on the opposite end of the compound from the main gates to the castle, the Shureimon and Kankaimon. A pair of stelae which stand at the Keiseimon are said to have been erected in 1544, and were intended to serve as spiritual or symbolic protection against ''[[wako|wakô]]''<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keiseimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. Two other outer gates, called the Uekimon (右掖門) and Shukujunmon (淑順門), situated to the north side of the complex, provided access to an inner garden, called the ''ouchibara'' (御内原) in Okinawan. Today, tourists following the designated route pass through the Uekimon on their way out of the castle at the end of their visit<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Uekimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

Just beyond the castle walls could be found the Buddhist temple [[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] and the [[Ryutan|Ryûtan]] and [[Enkan pond]]s which were constructed for the leisure and recreation of visiting [[Chinese investiture envoys]].

Just beyond the castle walls could be found the Buddhist temple [[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] and the [[Ryutan|Ryûtan]] and [[Enkan pond]]s which were constructed for the leisure and recreation of visiting [[Chinese investiture envoys]]. One of the highest points in the compound, the "West Azana" or ''shimasoe azana'', is also situated outside of the castle walls. Here, banners would be flown and a bell rung to announce the time. The ''azana'' rises roughly 130m above sea level, offering extensive views of Naha city and harbor, and of the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Nishi no Azana." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. There is also an Eastern Azana, on the opposite end of the compound.

The walls themselves were tall and thick, composed of stones fit together to form a smooth, steep surface difficult to climb. Flat, narrow walkways topped the walls, but they lacked merlons (aka battlements or crenelations) or loopholes which would have protected defenders atop the walls while allowing them to fire down upon invaders<ref name=Turnbull44/>.

The walls themselves were tall and thick, composed of stones fit together to form a smooth, steep surface difficult to climb. Flat, narrow walkways topped the walls, but they lacked merlons (aka battlements or crenelations) or loopholes which would have protected defenders atop the walls while allowing them to fire down upon invaders<ref name=Turnbull44/>.

[[Image:Shureimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shureimon (守礼門)]]

[[Image:Shureimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shureimon (守礼門)]]

[[Image:Sonohyan utaki ishimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The stone gate to Sonohyan utaki (園比屋武御嶽石門)]]

[[Image:Sonohyan utaki ishimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The stone gate to Sonohyan utaki (園比屋武御嶽石門)]]

The symbolic entrance to the castle proper was the [[Shureimon]], originally constructed around [[1555]]<ref name=Turnbull44/>, which remains today one of the most famous symbols of Okinawa, and specifically of the kingdom and the castle.

The symbolic entrance to the castle proper was the [[Shureimon]], originally constructed around [[1555]]<ref name=Turnbull44/>, which remains today one of the most famous symbols of Okinawa, and specifically of the kingdom and the castle. Architecturally patterned after a Chinese ''paifang'' gate, the Shureimon takes its name from the plaque installed upon it which declares Ryûkyû to be ''shurei no kuni'' (守禮之邦), often translated as "(a) Nation of Propriety."

Just within the gate can be found the stone gate to [[Sonohyan utaki]], a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, where the king and others would often pray. The gate was constructed in [[1519]], upon the orders of King Shô Shin, by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito|Nishitô]].

Just within the gate can be found the stone gate to [[Sonohyan utaki]], a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, where the king and others would often pray. The gate was constructed in [[1519]], upon the orders of King Shô Shin, by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito|Nishitô]].

[[Image:Zuisenmon.jpg|right|thumb|Zuisenmon (瑞泉門)|250px]]

[[Image:Zuisenmon.jpg|right|thumb|Zuisenmon (瑞泉門)|250px]]

[[Image:Rokokumon.jpg|right|thumb|Rôkokumon (漏刻門)|250px]]

[[Image:Rokokumon.jpg|right|thumb|Rôkokumon (漏刻門)|250px]]

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the first set of walls of the compound is the Kankaimon, flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof.

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon, flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor. It was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

A short distance down the wall from the Kankaimon is the Kyûkeimon, the women's gate, which is elevated somewhat, and reached by a short staircase. Constructed during the reign of Shô Shin, the Kyûkeimon was also used when the king paid official visits to temples and shrines, or to sites in [[Urasoe]] or further north. Rainwater falling on and around the castle naturally gathered here, at a pair of springs which thus served to supply fresh water to the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyûkeimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

A short distance down the wall from the Kankaimon is the Kyûkeimon, the women's gate, which is elevated somewhat, and reached by a short staircase. Constructed during the reign of Shô Shin, the Kyûkeimon was also used when the king paid official visits to temples and shrines, or to sites in [[Urasoe]] or further north. Rainwater falling on and around the castle naturally gathered here, at a pair of springs which thus served to supply fresh water to the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyûkeimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.