Japan Heritage story
Ryukyu cuisine, awamori and performing arts from the kingdom era
琉球王国時代から連綿と続く沖縄の伝統的な「琉球料理」と「泡盛」、そして「芸能」
The Ryukyu Kingdom called itself a "land of courtesy" and threw lavish banquets for envoys from China. The court cuisine, the royal spirit awamori and the dances made for those feasts are still part of everyday life in Okinawa.
Key facts
- Theme
- Castles, Food and sake
- Era
- Edo
- Region
- Kyushu & Okinawa
- Official name in Japanese
- 琉球王国時代から連綿と続く沖縄の伝統的な「琉球料理」と「泡盛」、そして「芸能」
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 沖縄県（那覇市、浦添市）
The story
Early Ryukyu kings ruled from Urasoe Gusuku. In the 15th century Sho Hashi united the island's three kingdoms, moved the capital to Shuri and made Naha a trading port linking Japan, China and South-east Asia. Chinese settlers in Naha's Kume village brought pig raising and tofu-making, still central to Okinawan food.
When Chinese envoys, around 400 people, came to crown a new king, they stayed about half a year and were honoured with seven great banquets of more than 30 dishes. The court sent cooks to China to learn, and danced Ryukyu dance and kumiodori in bright bingata costumes. Awamori, distilled since the late 15th century with skills thought to have come through trade with Siam, today's Thailand, was made under royal control and served to the envoys.
What to see
- Urasoe Gusuku and Urasoe Yodore: the early royal castle and the tombs of the Chuzan kings.Google Maps 浦添ようどれ (opens in a new tab)
- Shikinaen: the royal family's largest villa, built to entertain Chinese envoys.Google Maps 識名園 (opens in a new tab)
- National Theatre Okinawa: regular Ryukyu dance and kumiodori performances in Urasoe.Google Maps 国立劇場おきなわ (opens in a new tab)
- Kume, Naha: the old Chinese quarter, with the Tenpi-gu site and Kume village memorial.Google Maps 久米 那覇市 (opens in a new tab)
Plan your trip with the Okinawa prefecture guide and see more history and heritage.
Good to know
- Try Ryukyu dishes such as goya champuru, squid-ink soup and tofuyo at a local diner.
- Visit an awamori distillery for a tour and tasting; aged awamori, called kusu, is a local treasure.
- Book a traditional restaurant in Naha that serves Ryukyu cuisine with a dance show, as the envoys once enjoyed.
Questions travellers ask
What is awamori?
Okinawa's distilled spirit, made since the late 15th century, once under royal control. It is aged into kusu by topping up old spirit with younger spirit.
What is Ryukyu court cuisine?
Dishes created to entertain Chinese envoys at royal banquets, later spread from Shuri to Naha's restaurants after the kingdom ended.
Where it comes from
Local foods from the same area
Crafts from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.