page_title: Gusuku
section_title: Common features
hierarchical_section_title: Gusuku / Common features
caption_attribution_description: English: Layout of Shuri Castle: 1-Seiden 2-Hokuden 3-Nanden 4-Houshinmon 5-Bandokoro A-Shureimon B-Kankaimon C-Zuisenmon D-Roukokumon E-Koufukumon F-Kyukeimon G-Uekimon H-Kobikimon日本語: 首里城の施設：1-正殿 2-北殿 3-南殿 4-奉神門 5-番所 A-守礼門 B-歓会門 C-瑞泉門 D-漏刻門 E-広福門 F-久慶門 G-右掖門 H-木曳門
context_page_description: Gusuku often refers to castles or fortresses in the Ryukyu Islands that feature stone walls. However, the origin and essence of gusuku remain controversial. In the archaeology of Okinawa Prefecture, the Gusuku period refers to an archaeological epoch of the Okinawa Islands that follows the shell-mound period and precedes the Sanzan period, when most gusuku are thought to have been built. Many gusuku and related cultural remains on Okinawa Island have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
caption: Layout of Shuri Castle
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