The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, affectionately known as OkiMu, is a unique cultural complex that combines a museum and an art museum under one roof. It is one of the few facilities of its kind in Japan, offering visitors the opportunity to explore Okinawa from both historical and artistic perspectives.
The museum section features a wide range of materials covering geology, biology, anthropology, archaeology, folklore, history, and traditional arts and crafts. Through these collections, visitors can discover how the Ryukyu Islands were formed, how their unique ecosystems developed, and how people have lived in the islands throughout history.
The museum introduces the geological origins of the Ryukyu Islands and the evolution of the plants and animals that inhabit this distinctive island environment. Exhibits help visitors understand the natural forces that shaped Okinawa and the remarkable biodiversity that developed here.
The displays also trace Okinawa’s history from the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom through to modern times. Visitors can learn about the kingdom’s history, local traditions, everyday life, customs, and the cultural heritage passed down through generations.
With exhibits spanning natural science, archaeology, history, folklore, and traditional crafts, the museum provides a broad introduction to the many layers of Okinawan culture.
The art museum focuses primarily on modern and contemporary art shaped by Okinawa’s unique natural environment and culture. Its collection includes paintings, watercolors, sculptures, prints, photography, and video works.
These works offer a different perspective on Okinawa, allowing visitors to discover how the islands’ landscapes, history, traditions, and distinctive cultural identity have influenced artists.
One of the great attractions of OkiMu is the scale of its collections. The museum holds approximately 94,000 museum materials, making it the largest museum collection in Okinawa Prefecture, while the art museum holds around 3,700 works and materials.
Together, these collections provide an extensive record of Okinawa’s natural environment, history, culture, and artistic expression. Visitors can gain a much deeper understanding of the islands than they might through sightseeing alone.
The Interactive Experience Room offers visitors an opportunity to experience Okinawa’s heritage in a more hands-on way. Materials from the museum’s collections and information about Okinawa are made accessible through interactive displays and activities.
Rather than simply looking at objects behind glass, visitors can engage with Okinawa’s natural environment, history, and culture in a more direct and memorable way.
For travelers who want to understand more than Okinawa’s famous beaches and resort attractions, the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum is an excellent place to begin. The combination of natural history, archaeology, traditional culture, local life, and modern art reveals many different sides of the islands.
The museum shop also offers exclusive items, making it a convenient place to find distinctive souvenirs connected with Okinawan culture and art.
Whether you are interested in the ancient formation of the Ryukyu Islands, the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom, traditional Okinawan life, or contemporary art, OkiMu offers a chance to encounter an Okinawa you may not have discovered elsewhere.
Take your time exploring this fascinating cultural complex and discover the diverse natural, historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of Okinawa all in one place.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 9:00-18:00
Fri. and Sat. 9:00 - 20:00
Mondays (If Monday is a national holiday, substitute holiday, or Memorial Day, the museum will be open on Monday and closed on the following weekday.)
Museum Permanent Exhibitions
Adults 530 yen
High school and university students 270 yen
Elementary and junior high school students and high school and university students 270 yen
Museum Collection Exhibition
Adults 400 yen
High school and university students 220 yen
Children outside the prefecture: 100 yen
From Naha Airport to Omoromachi Station on the monorail → 10 min. on foot