Ryukyu Glass & Yachimun (Okinawan Pottery)
Also written: 琉球ガラス・やちむん · 琉球玻璃·陶器（Yachimun）
Vibrantly colored Ryukyu glassware and traditional yachimun (Okinawan pottery) are popular souvenirs.
An Illustrated Japan / Okinawa / Culture & Tradition
About this place
Ryukyu Glass and Yachimun pottery together tell two parallel stories of survival and beauty on Okinawa. Ryukyu glass was born out of scarcity under US administration after World War II. Craftsmen collected discarded Coca-Cola and beer bottles from American bases around Uruma and Naha, crushed them, and remelted them at 1300 to 1500 degrees Celsius. Because impurities could not be fully removed, bubbles stayed trapped and colors blended into thick aqua, green, and amber tones. Two techniques dominate:宙吹き free-blowing and型吹き mold-blowing. The 1975 Okinawa International Ocean Expo created a souvenir boom that multiplied workshops, and in 1985 Ryukyu Glass Village opened in Itoman as a combined factory and logistics hub. In 1998 the prefecture designated it as a Traditional Craft. Yachimun means pottery in Okinawan. In 1682 King Sho Tei ordered scattered kilns across Shuri and Naha to be consolidated in Tsuboya, founding Tsuboya-yaki. Later Yomitan's Yachimun Village developed climbing kilns. Styles use local red clay, white slip, and rustic glazes with fish, vine, and karakusa patterns. Post-war master Kinjo Jiro revived the kilns and was designated a Living National Treasure. For visitors, Yomitan's kilns offer joint sales shops where you can pick works directly from each artist. Late morning light makes colors shift dramatically. Try using chunky glasses for sanpin tea or awamori, and deep bowls for goya champuru or rafute to bring travel memories home. Glass making experiences cost around 2000 to 3500 yen for a 30 minute blow, while pottery painting workshops run 1500 yen. Early booking on weekends is advised, especially during summer when ocean breezes keep the factory hot but workable. The thick bottoms survive daily use and the imperfections are celebrated. Workshops also explain annealing time, why thick bases survive hot tea, and how bubbles refract light at sunset. Visitors often combine glass and pottery half-day tours, pairing Itoman in morning and Yomitan in afternoon via Route 58 rental car, with lunch at a coastal cafe serving rafute curry on yachimun plates. Accessibility is good at Glass Village with ramps, while smaller pottery ateliers have steps. The sustainability angle is strong: recycled bottles reduce waste, local clay reduces transport, and buying directly supports artisans. Summer is hot in kilns, so morning slots recommended. Bring bubble wrap for luggage. Workshops also explain annealing time, why thick bases survive hot tea, and how bubbles refract light at sunset. Visitors often combine glass and pottery half-day tours, pairing Itoman in morning and Yomitan in afternoon via Route 58 rental car, with lunch at a coastal cafe serving rafute curry on yachimun plates. Accessibility is good at Glass Village with ramps, while smaller pottery ateliers have steps. The sustainability angle is strong: recycled bottles reduce waste, local clay reduces transport, and buying directly supports artisans. Summer is hot in kilns, so morning slots recommended. Bring bubble wrap for luggage.
