Bankoku Shinryokan

photo by N · Public domain

The G8 was held here in July 2000; the name comes from a bell of Shuri Castle.

On the tip of the Busena peninsula, surrounded by the sea on three sides, it is Japan's first resort-style conference centre: here, in July 2000, the G8 heads of state met for the Kyushu-Okinawa summit. The name comes from the Bankoku Shinryō bell, once in the main hall of Shuri Castle and now kept at the prefectural museum. The building mixes materials from all over the world with Okinawan elements: Ryūkyū tiles, local limestone, gigiru paper.

Okinawa Prefecture's conference centre, opened in July 2000 specifically to host the G8 summit. Today it hosts international conferences, the Okinawa Peace Prize ceremony, APEC meetings and (one wedding a day since 2007) wedding ceremonies.

ℹ️ The general visit (一般見学/外観見学, main building only) requires booking (by phone or online, from 14 days to 1 day ahead, not on the same day), in the slots 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00, maximum 6 groups a day. Not available on days when events are taking place. About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport (65 min via the expressway). The price of the visit is not stated: check it when you book.

Sources: ja.wikipedia.org · shinryokan.com

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