Travel insurance?
In addition to the whole of Shuri Castle on whose grounds this stone gate sits, the Sonohyan Utaki Stone Gate is a UNESCO World Heritage site in its own right. That's what the large plaque on the left side signifies. All that still stands is the lone gate you see on the other side of this narrow street.
An Utaki is a holy place. In medieval times whenever the King and his entourage travelled away from the castle for any length of time, prayers were offered at this place for a safe journey and return. You might even say it was the precursor to flight insurance in olden days.
In the Castle Bust photo essay.
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