Mrs just showed me a news story about "600 year old Japanese castle" burning down. No it's not 600 years old it got destroyed in 1945 & was rebuilt. Huge fire engulfs Japan's 600-year-old Shuri Castle | Daily Mail Online
I visited there 25 years ago. There are little signs with a green stylized S on them, and Japanese characters below on every patch of grass all around the castle. That sign indicates the presence of the habu (hobboo), a venomous snake. They are aggressive and though you probably won't die, a high percentage of victims are left permanently disabled. At any rate, Shuri is not a place where you'll get off the pavement and explore in depth. .