The inscriptions on the “Madama Port” explains about the construction of Madama Road and Madanbashi (Madan Bridge), Madama Road was built as a government road having two functions: one for military purposes and the other for general public use. Its construction was started by King Sho Shin, of the second Sho Dynasty and completed in the reign of King Sho Sei, the successor of King Sho Shin, with the road connecting Shuri to Naha Port. Its regular route was, with Shuri at a starting point, to go southward, through the Kinjo-slope (the Shuri Kinjo stone-paved road), the Shikina-slope (Shichinandabira), and Kokuba, then reaching Madanbashi (Madan Bridge), Tomigusuku Gusuku, Uebaru, Tabaru, Kakinohana and Yagazamui Gusuku. This route was strategically planned this way so that troops from the south would be placed on standby alert against enemies from overseas. In the historical background, pirates called “Wako” who were rampaging through the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese continental coastlines in the 13th to 16th century, was a major threat from overseas; and since the Naha Port and its vicinity were an entry and contact point for visitors from China and other foreign countries, they were a very important base to the Ryukyu Kingdom’s government, thus the need arising to build a military road for defense. There are currently only a few remnants of the Madama Road remaining, due to war damage and land development; but still historically important sites exist along the road. Many sight-seeing tours named after “Madama Road” are offered and still continue to attract many history buffs from outside and inside Okinawa.

Basic information

Address

903-0815 1-32 Kinjo-cho Shuri Naha Okinawa

Business hours

Nothing in particular.

Close day

Nothing in particular.

Charge

Free

Parking

(Paid) Parking is available across the road in the Shuri Castle Park Parking Lot.

Access information

Shuri Castle Park Entrance opposite the "Shuri Castle Park Rest Center."