Sonohyan Utaki Ishimon is located to the left of Shurei Gate and consists of the stone gate and adjacent strip of forest. This Utaki -- sacred grove -- is where prayers were offered for the king's safe journey whenever he left the castle compound.

The stone gate is the front of the shrine and was built in 1519 by King Sho Shin. The builder who was commissioned for the work was Nishito of Taketomi Island.

Nishito demonstrated extraordinary abilities as he was one of the Sanshikan ministers, the builder of Sonohyan Utaki Ishimon, and was also in charge of castle design. In 1524 he was entrusted with general control of the Yaeyama Islands as the Taketomi Shuriufuyaku, an upper level official.

The stone gate was designated a National Treasure in 1933; however, it was heavily damaged in the Battle of Okinawa and reconstructed in 1957.