As you pass through Shureimon Gate and walk toward Seiden, there is a fourth gate counting from Kankaimon Gate. This is Kofukumon Gate. Commonly called “Nagaujo” or “Nakaujo,” it is unknown when this gate was built. Written on the hengaku （framed picture or motto hung over a gate） on the upper part of the outer wall of the gate is the word “kofuku,” which means “to let good fortune spread out.” It is a “type of gate attached to a building” in which the building itself functions as a gate. It is one of the characteristic styles of castle gates at Shurijo Castle. There are two government offices set up here. On the west side of the gate is the “Jishaza,” which manages shrines and temples, while on the east side is the “Okumiza,” which handles registry records and mediates property disputes.
In the past, when a child was born to a family of shizoku（aristocrats）, it was mandatory to submit a “shoshi shomon（birth certificate）” to the Okumiza within seven days, but due to the time and effort required for document preparation, there apparently were cases where submitting the report was delayed for about a year to several years. It was reportedly not unusual for the submission to be delayed by about 10 to 20 years in the case of shizoku families that had withdrawn to the countryside（ijunin, or local residents）.
Around the end of the Meiji period, Kofukumon Gate was demolished in line with the construction of an elementary school. Therefore, the internal structure of the building remains unknown. However, based on analyses of valuable ancient photographs, floor plan sketches on drawings, excavation surveys, etc., restoration of the exterior of the building by wooden construction was completed in 1992. Currently, the west side is used as a restroom, while the east side serves as a ticket office. In addition, visitors can get a panoramic view of the Benzaiten-do hall, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, and other scenery from the square in front of the gate. Also, please enjoy the scenic view of Shuri as it appears today.（Hiroshi Teru）

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  Kofukumon Gate
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  Scenic view from Kofukumon Gate（partial）