The Tsuboya Pottery Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of pottery in the Okinawa Prefecture. Its intriguing exhibits stretch across three floors, chronicling the various types of pottery in this province and the craft’s roots here. Use an English audio guide as you walk through the museum for a comprehensive understanding of the exhibits.
Watch a short movie that sheds light on the development of pottery here. It also reveals how people fared in wartime. See the replica of a typical Okinawa house that demonstrates how pottery is used to make kitchen utensils. Consider how the skills involved in making pottery have been passed down through generations here.
Learn the difference between ara-yachi and Jo-yachi. The former includes water jars and other large items coated with mud, while the latter consists of everyday crockery, such as bowls and plates. Discover the effects of varying the temperature of the baking process. See the remains of a historic climbing kiln.
Relax in the spacious Nushinume Square beside the third-floor exhibition room, which often holds concerts and events. Notice the local residents approaching the square’s shrine to pray for the development and happiness of the community.
After your visit to the museum, browse the items in the many pottery shops and stalls outside the museum. Use your new-found knowledge of the craft to select from myriad potential purchases.
There is an entry fee for the museum, with discounts for kids and students. The site opens Tuesday through Sunday from morning until late afternoon.
The Tsuboya Pottery Museum is in the eastern part of Naha in the Okinawa Prefecture. It is a 20-minute drive east from the expressway of Okinawa. Drop off your car in the small parking lot or use private bays nearby. Walk here in around 10 minutes from the Tsuboya bus stop or the Makishi Station.
