Enkaku-ji Temple was the head temple of Zen Buddhism in Okinawa, and it is said that King Sho Shin built it to enshrine his father's spirit. The Former Enkaku-ji Temple Somon Gate was the main entrance to Enkaku-ji Temple as well as its first gate. It is located near Shurijo Castle, and the structure is representative of Okinawan architecture. It was built during the Muromachi period, and it uses an architectural style known as Zenshuyo. Though it was built in the Zenshuyo style, it is lacking the delicacy characteristic of Zenshuyo; instead, it has a sense of solemn dignity reminiscent of architecture of the Nara period. The gate was heavily damaged during the war, but it was restored in 1968.