Founded circa 1527, Sogen-ji Temple was once a grand Buddhist temple with a mausoleum dedicated to the spirits of the kings of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1945, however, the temple was lost during the months-long Battle of Okinawa. All that remained was its First Gate, a triple archway predating the foundation of Sogen-ji. After the war, both the U.S. Civil Administration and local benefactors funded the restoration of the damaged gate, converting the temple site into a public park. Today, the temple site can be found in the middle of urban…
