Photo/Illutration After removing scaffolding set up for construction, the entire Seiden main hall of Shuri-jo Castle is visible in Naha on Aug. 6. (Kengo Hiyoshi)

NAHA—The exterior of Shuri-jo Castle's main hall stands reborn once more with reconstruction complete and reporters visiting the historic space here on Aug. 6.

The castle is in the process of being rebuilt after being destroyed in a 2019 fire. The Seiden main hall's roof lined with red tiles unique to Okinawa Prefecture, vermilion pillars and vibrant ornamentations have all been restored. 

Reconstruction of the main hall took place inside a temporary structure meant to shield it from wind and rain. 

While the public was able to watch the restoration process, not all parts of the hall were visible due to the scaffolding set up for construction work, even for those observing from inside the protective structure.

This time, the scaffolding was removed after the exterior's completion and the temporary structure is scheduled to be later dismantled. General visitors will be able to see the entire main hall without any obstructions from around late October.

Although the 2019 blaze was not the first in Shuri-jo's lengthy history, it claimed seven buildings, the main hall among them, and damaged two others.  

Work on the interior is ongoing, and the entire reconstruction is scheduled to wrap up by autumn 2026.

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