The Kingdom of Ryukyu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It includes the ruins of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, which existed from the 15th to the 19th century, and represents the unique cultural blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian influences. The site includes the Shuri Castle, the main palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, as well as sacred shrines, tombs, and stone monuments that reflect the kingdom’s political, cultural, and religious heritage. The Kingdom of Ryukyu is considered a rare example of a kingdom that developed in isolation from mainland Asia and represents a valuable resource for understanding the cultural diversity of East Asia.
