Tamaudun Mausoleum — Royal Tombs of Ryukyu

**Senkotsu cultural context:** The traditional Ryukyuan funeral practice involved washing the bones after decomposition (typically 3–7 years after burial), then re-interring them in the family tomb. This practice (senkotsu, 洗骨) continued in Okinawa until the 1960s and is still practiced in some rural areas and remote islands. Tamaudun's central chamber was specifically for this process — bodies were placed here, allowed to decompose, then bones were washed and moved to the appropriate chamber (east for men, west for women). The practice reflects ancestor worship traditions distinct from mainland Japanese Buddhism. **Tomb architecture:** Okinawan tombs are unusually large (some family tombs resemble small houses) because they're collective family vaults housing generations of ancestors, not individual graves. The architecture mixes Chinese feng shui principles (turtle-back shape, specific orientations) with indigenous stone-working techniques. Tamaudun is the supreme example of this style — a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site. **Combined with Shuri Castle:** Tamaudun is a 5-minute walk downhill from Shuri Castle. Ideal itinerary: Shuri Castle (9:00–11:00) → Tamaudun (11:00–11:30) → lunch at nearby Shuri soba shops (首里そば). The combined ticket (¥600) covers both sites.