Ryukyu Glass Village

Ryukyu Glass Village in Itoman City, Okinawa, is the island's premier glassmaking facility and one of Japan's most significant centers for traditional glass craft. Established in 1985, the village preserves and promotes the unique Ryukyu glass tradition that emerged in Okinawa during the post-World War II period. This distinctive craft developed when local artisans began repurposing discarded glass bottles left by American military forces, creating colorful glassware that became synonymous with Okinawan culture.

The glassmaking technique features vibrant colors and the incorporation of air bubbles within the glass, giving each piece a characteristic texture and personality. What began as a practical recycling solution transformed into a recognized art form, with Ryukyu glass now representing Okinawan craftsmanship both domestically and internationally. The village houses the largest glass factory in Okinawa, where visitors can observe approximately 20 artisans working with furnaces that reach temperatures of 1,400 degrees Celsius to shape molten glass using traditional methods.

Visitors can watch live glassblowing demonstrations from dedicated viewing galleries, observing the complete process from raw materials to finished products. The facility offers hands-on glassmaking experiences where participants can create their own drinking glasses, accessories, or decorative items under expert guidance, with sessions typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes. The on-site gallery and shop display thousands of handcrafted items ranging from everyday tableware to elaborate art pieces, all created by the resident craftsmen. A small museum area details the history of Ryukyu glass and its cultural importance to Okinawa.

Ryukyu Glass Village is located about 10 kilometers south of Naha city center in Itoman. Visitors traveling by car from Naha can reach the village in approximately 20 minutes via Route 331. Public transportation options include taking bus routes 89 or 334 from Naha Bus Terminal, alighting at Ryukyu Glass Village stop. Admission to the facility is free, though fees apply for hands-on workshops, which should be reserved in advance during peak tourist seasons. The village includes a café serving refreshments and light meals presented in Ryukyu glassware.