Shurei means to “observe proprieties”, and on the framed wooden plaque hanging above this gate are the characters that read “Shurei no Kuni”, meaning “Ryukyu Kingdom is a land of propriety”. Shurijo Castle has many stonewalls and castle gates, but the Shureimon gate has a well-balanced design and an elegant atmosphere. This gate, which represents Shurijo Castle, is constructed in the traditional Chinese architectural style of Pailou.

Many of the gates and structures at Shurijo Castle have alternative names aside from their official names and from them, we can see the poetic sentiments of the ancient Ryukyuan people. Long ago, Shureimon was also called the Shurimon, but the commoners called it “Iino Ayajo” with endearment, as it means “the beautiful gate at the top”.

Shureimon was first constructed between 1527 and 1555 (during the reign of King Sho Sei, the 4th king of the Second Sho Dynasty), and it was designated as a National Treasure in 1933, but it was destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa. The gate was reconstructed in 1958 and since then, it continues to be a symbol of Okinawa and draws many visitors. Shureimon is also featured on the 2,000 Yen notes which were printed in commemoration of the year 2000.