Value Village
Kilns, weavers, breweries, blacksmiths, small local workshops — we have gathered the makers of each region. Large mass-production factories, power plants and dams, public research institutes and museums are not shown here (you can find them in the full list of entries).
2,805 craft and industry entries. Industries other than traditional crafts are included. This is not a list of hands-on programs; whether visitors are accepted, fees and booking contacts have not been confirmed.
78 entries / Page 1 of 4
Stencil dyeing & nationally designated craft
A stencil dyeing in which a stencil is laid down, pigments are applied and colors are layered. There is also aigata, dyed with indigo alone. It was worn by the royalty and gentry o…
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Silk textiles & nationally designated craft
Textiles of the royal government woven in Shuri. They have a number of techniques woven nowhere else, such as hanakura-ori and doton-ori.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Figured weaving & nationally designated craft
A figured weave of Yomitan. Threads are floated to weave out patterns like geometric flowers. It died out once and was revived after the war.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Obi cloth & figured weaving
Minsa of Yomitan. A figured weave woven as obi cloth.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Figured weaving & nationally designated craft
Hanaori of Chibana, Okinawa City. The warp threads are floated to bring out the pattern. It died out once and was later restored.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Figured weaving & nationally designated craft
Hanaori of Haebaru. Patterns are woven by the float-weave technique. A production area in the south of the main island of Okinawa.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Silk textiles & nationally designated craft
Tsumugi of Kumejima. It is dyed with the island's plants and mud, and a single weaver carries it through from thread to bolt. An Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Ramie & nationally designated craft
Jofu of Miyakojima. Ramie is split with the fingernails and spun by hand, and fine cross-shaped kasuri is woven. An Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Ramie & nationally designated craft
Jofu of Ishigaki and Taketomi. Ramie is woven and finished by umi-zarashi, in which the cloth is soaked in seawater and bleached in the sun.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Obi cloth & nationally designated craft
Minsa of Yaeyama. A sash in which kasuri motifs of five and four are set side by side, carrying the meaning 'forever and ever'.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Silk and cotton weaving & nationally designated craft
Textiles of Yonaguni Island. Four types are woven, including hanaori, dutati and kagannubu.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Fiber banana & Important Intangible Cultural Property
Bashofu of Kijoka, Ogimi Village. Itobasho is grown for three years and its fiber is taken. One bolt of cloth requires 200 stalks. An Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Pottery & nationally designated craft
Pottery of Tsuboya, Naha. Arayachi is unglazed and joyachi is glazed. It is known for shisa and dachibin flasks.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Blown glass & recycled glass
It began after the war by melting down bottles discarded by the US military. Thick vessels that hold bubbles within them, they are now made from recycled glass.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Lacquerwork & nationally designated craft
Lacquerware of Ryukyu. On a base of deigo wood, it is decorated with raden, in which shell is inlaid, and tsuikin, in which lacquer is built up in relief.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Musical instruments & wood and leather work
A three-stringed instrument with snakeskin stretched over the body. There are seven types of neck shape, and the sound and the price change with the type.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Leather & instrument materials
The processing of the snakeskin stretched on the sanshin. Python skin is tanned and stretched.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Kasuri weaving & dyeing and weaving
Kasuri of Ryukyu. Threads are bound and resist-dyed, and geometric kasuri is woven. More than 600 designs are recorded.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Textiles & production-area cooperative
The textile association of Shuri. It carries on techniques handed down from the royal government, such as hanakura-ori and doton-ori.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Textiles & passing on techniques
The traditional textile association of Naha. It passes weaving techniques on to the next generation.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Crafts & making experience
The traditional crafts center of Naha. It brings together bingata, Shuri textiles, Tsuboya ware, lacquerware and glass under one roof, and visitors can try making them.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Climbing kilns & pottery district
Yachimun no Sato in Yomitan. Potteries that moved from Tsuboya are gathered here and fire a shared climbing kiln.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Climbing kiln & shared kiln
Kita-gama in Yomitan. Four master potters share the use of a single climbing kiln.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Glass & factory tours
Ryukyu Glass Village in Itoman. Visitors can watch the process of blowing recycled glass and can also try it.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
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