Museums and Information Centers
There are many places on Okinawa where you can spend a few hours learning more about the history and culture of this beautiful island. Below, you will find a listing of several public museums and information centers. If you need further information about how to locate these places, please feel free to visit the Resource Center for assistance.
ITOMAN
Okinawa Heiwa Kinen Koen no Shiryokan (Okinawa Peace Memorial Park Information Center)
This museum/visitor’s center focuses on the Battle of Okinawa while promoting peace. There are many different displays and there are explanations in English.
Ryukyu no Yakata (Ryukyu Museum)
The Ryukyu no Yakata houses a factory that makes traditional Okinawa orimono and bingata. The factory offers a 30-minute course on dying techniques used to make some of Okinawa’s most beautiful kimonos and other fabrics.
Ryukyu Glass Village
You can experience the art of Okinawan glass making here. Children must be over the age of seven, and visitors should make reservations one day in advance.
Ryukyu Shikki (Ryukyu Lacquer ware)
This Ryukyu Lacquer ware factory gives visitors and opportunity to buy some of Okinawa’s most exquisite handmade craft items. You can also paint your own piece of lacquer ware to take home.
Gallery Sekkana
Local potter Setsuko Oshiro runs both this gallery and the connected shokudo (cafeteria). Oshiro specializes in making shiisa. Visitors may be able to catch this talented artist at work. There are plenty of potter pieces on display inside her small restaurant and many shiisa located just outside.
NAHA
Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Okinawa Prefectural Museum of Contemporary Art
This museum encompasses the history and culture of Okinawa with many artifacts from the Ryukyu Kingdom Dynasty. Over the years, curators have done a good job of recollecting artifacts that were taken from Okinawa during the war. This museum has interactive areas that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Visitors can also tour the Okinawa Prefectural Museum of Contemporary Art, which is connected to the main museum. The prefecture plans many special exhibits and workshops at the museum.
Shuri Castle Park Museum
Located inside of the Nanden, Bandokoro, and Hokuden buildings of Shuri Castle are displays from the Ryukyu Kingdom Era. Some of the items include precious handcrafted pieces of lacquer ware, folding screen paintings, and traditional kimonos. There is also a shop that sells souvenir items along with Japanese and books about Okinawa’s history.
Tsuboya Yachimun Hakubutukan (Tsuboya Ceramics Museum)
This museum was created to inform people about the history of Tsuboya pottery. It’s a good place to visit for anyone with an interest in traditional crafts. However, there are only a few explanations written in English.
Shuri-Ori Kohbo (Shuri Weaving Factory)
Shuri-ori produces exquisite kasuri patterns. Kasuri can be classified into two main types of design: (1) a plain blue or white patter that was traditionally worn by common people and (2) a more colorful type of fabric that was worn by nobility. The Shuri-ori factory specializes in producing the more colorful designs of Shuri-dotonori, Shuri-hanaori, and Shuri-hankuraori. The fabrics are usually made from silk or cotton threads. You can also observe Shuri-ori weaving techniques performed by students from July to March.
Bingata no Sato (Bingata Village)
Using colorful dyes with stencils and dye-resisting materials, artists carry on the tradition of dyeing fabrics in the Yamakawa district of Shuri. However, many of the factories have begun to turn away visitors unless they are part of a tour group that has advanced reservations.
- Tamanaha factory sometimes allows foreigners to observe classes. Take the driveway towards the Grand Castle Hotel from Tobaru Dori.
- The Shiroma factory is next to the small lot on the right. The Tamaha factory is located up the stairs of the right. Further up the stairs to the left is another factory that is a training center for bingata and is open to visitors.
**These factories are located inside of homes, so please respect their privacy and do not try and enter on Sundays or national holidays.
Nadoyama Kogei-kan (Nadoyama Craft Center)
The Nadoyama factory also specializes in bingata and is open to visitors. The factory used to offer 1-hour classes, but they have recently stopped. The classes might begin again in the future so it’s a good idea to call in advance and check.
Naha Dentoh Kogei-kan (Naha Traditional Crafts Center)
This is probably the best place to observe Okinawan artisans making Ryukyu glass, pottery, bingata (Okinawan fabric dying), and Shuri-ori (Shuri weaving) all under one roof. The factory also offers experience classes in Okinawan classes in classes such as glass blowing, pottery and bingata.
URASOE
Urasoe Art Museum
The Urasoe Art Museum is a nice lace to spend a few hours. Although small in size, it often holds interesting exhibits. The permanent exhibition of Ryukyu lacquerware is also excellent. There is a small fee to enter and an extra surcharge for special exhibits.
OKINAWA CITY
Okinawa-shi Shiritsu Kyohdoh Hakubutsukan (Okinawa City Municipal Museum)
The museum displays a small collection of photos and artifacts free of charge. There is also a display of handcrafted dolls depicting traditional island life during the late 19th century. The dolls were made and donated to the museum in 1993 by the late Joki Henna, an artist who is famous for carved wood figures that represent traditional Okinawa.
YOMITAN
Yomitan Sonritsu Reikishi Minzoku Shiryokan (Yomitan Historical and Folk Craft Museum)
Located at the front entrance to Zakimi Castle, this small museum enables visitors to view many artifacts and displays of local culture. There is a good collection of various items that were once used during burial rites. The museum also houses the remains of a 2,000-year-odl human skeleton discovered in Toguchi.
NAGO
Nago Museum
The Nago Museum, which was built on the same site where the former Nago Municipal Government Office (Magiri Banjo) was located in 1695, is a good place to spend a few hours learning about local folklore. It is inexpensive and kids will enjoy the many interesting displays.
MOTOBU
Motobu Town Museum
The Motobu Town Museum is in Ohama. Although it is small in size, the exhibits provide a glimpse into Motobu’s past and admission is free of charge.
NAKIJIN
Nikijin History and Culture Center
The Nakijin History and Culture Center focuses on the artifacts found inside and around the walls of Nakijin Castle, as well as the folklore of Nakijin Village.
HIGASHI
Yama to Mizu Hakubustukan (Museum of Mountain and Water)
This is a museum that focuses on educating visitors about Higashi’s mountains and rivers. Displays and other learning devices are used to show the delicate balance between trees, water and land. The Museum is located along the banks of the Fukuchi River.
OGIMI
Furusato Shiryokan
This is a very small, one-room collection of artifacts related to local folklore. It is owned and managed by an elderly man who lives behind the display room.
*There is a small fee to enter. (Sometimes the museum closes without notice.) To get there, follow the small road next to the community center, across from the parking area where the Bunagaya Pottery shop is located. The museum is one the right.
KUNIGAMI
Yanabaru Wildlife Center
The Yanbaru Wildlife Center is a good place to learn more about the flora and fauna of northern Okinawa before venturing into the forest. The center has displays and detailed information about Yanbaru’s wildlife. Admission is free.
Oku Yanbaru no Sato Tenjitsu (Oku Yanbaru Village Folklore Exhibit)
Visitors can observe local folklore at the Oku Yanbaru no Sato Tenjitsu for a small fee. It is part of the Oku Yanbaru Village area, which is located along the banks of the Oku River.