(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
In Naha’s Tsuboya District, you’ll find a street dedicated to the ancient craft of Okinawan Yachimun, or pottery in Ryukyu dialect.
Yachimun Dori runs roughly 400 meters between Kokusai Street and Route 330, cutting through Tsuboya. Tsuboya’s kanji spelling, “壺屋,” translates to “pottery shop” in Japanese.
As the name suggests, this area is home to roughly 20 pottery shops and studios. The history of this street dates to 1682 when the Ryukyu Kingdom consolidated Yachimun kilns in several locations in the southern part of Makishi Village in what is now known today as the pottery district.
Ikutouen, originally Takaesu Pottery Factory until 1988, is one of the pottery shops dating back six generations, according to their website.
Here, visitors can test their crafting skills at various workshops like pottery throwing, Shisa lion pottery, tebineri molded plates and etsuke pottery drawing.
Other area attractions include Arakaki Residence, a recognized cultural property which was once the home of a Yachimun craftsman; Fenukma a traditional noborigama kiln dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom; and, Yogi Koen, a nice park with a steam locomotive on display and beautiful cherry blossoms in early January.
Wrap your hands around a time-honored Ryukyu Kingdom craft in Naha’s Tsuboya District.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
Tsuboya Yachimun Dojo (Ikutoen)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.21357, E 127.69212
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Jan. 1-2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikutouen_yachimun_dojo/
*There are several paid (coin) parking areas around Yachimun Dori, which typically cost 300 yen per hour with a maximum at 1,300 yen for 12 hours.
Ikutoen (retail shop)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.21251, E 127.69245
Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Jan. 1-2
Website: https://www.ikutouen.com/english/
Tourist spots around Yachimun Street
Arakaki Residence
GPS Coordinates: N 26.21255, E 127.69294
Open on Fri., Sat, Sun., and holidays
*Closed during New Year holidays (Dec. 28 – Jan. 4) and some other holidays.
Hours: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free admission
Fenukma
GPS Coordinates: N 26.21347, E 127.69092
Yogi Koen (Park)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.208453, E 127.692373
*No parking is available on site.
Yamaka Stand
GPS Coordinates: N 26.214058, E 127.690623
Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*Closed on Sun. and Mon.
