- Other Names: 南苑 (nan'en)
- Japanese: 識名園 (shikinaen)
Shikinaen ("Shikina Gardens") is a historic site in Naha, Okinawa, a former Ryukyuan royal villa. On account of its location a short distance south of the main royal palace at Shuri, Shikinaen is also known as Nan'en ("Southern Gardens").
The complex is said to have been built to host welcoming receptions for Chinese investiture envoys. The garden, complete with a red-tile-roofed palace hall, a pond with a small island in it, and a Chinese-style stone bridge, received enthusiastic praise from Chinese visitors.
The garden & villa were destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, but have been rebuilt, and are now administered by the City of Naha. It is a nationally-designated "site of scenic beauty," and has been designated a World Heritage Site as part of the category "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu."
References
- "Shikinaen." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.