Ryukyu Glass Village is home to one of the largest glass workshops in Okinawa, where colorful pieces of glass and glass tiles decorate the site. It is an ideal destination for discovering the distinctive beauty of Ryukyu glass, a traditional craft that has developed its own character through Okinawa’s history and culture.
Using the traditional free-blown glass technique, skilled artisans create vivid Ryukyu glassware by shaping molten glass at extremely high temperatures. Visitors can watch the glassblowers at close range as they work in an intense environment where hot air reaches around 1,300°C.
For those who want a more hands-on experience, a variety of workshops are available, allowing visitors to create their own original Ryukyu glass pieces. The experience offers a memorable way to learn about Okinawan craftsmanship while taking home a unique souvenir.
Ryukyu Glass Village features one of the largest glassmaking facilities in Okinawa. Glass tiles and colorful fragments are incorporated throughout the site, creating a distinctive atmosphere that reflects the beauty of the craft itself.
Ryukyu glass is traditionally made using a free-blown glass technique. Watching artisans transform glowing molten glass into beautifully shaped vessels provides a fascinating glimpse into a craft that requires experience, precision, and a deep understanding of the material.
The intense heat of the workshop is part of the spectacle. Visitors can observe the glassblowers working with molten glass while learning how traditional techniques are used to create the distinctive colors, shapes, and textures associated with Ryukyu glass.
Visitors can also try making their own Ryukyu glass creations through a selection of hands-on programs. Creating a piece yourself makes the experience especially memorable and gives you a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your time in Okinawa.
Ryukyu glass is a form of glass craft produced mainly in Okinawa, particularly on Okinawa Island. It is also known as Okinawa glass and may be written as Ryukyu garasu or Ryukyu shōshi in Japanese.
The craft developed especially strongly after World War II, when resources were scarce in Okinawa. Empty bottles discarded from American military bases, including bottles that had contained cola, beer, and Perrier, were collected and melted down for reuse. This history of recycling became one of the defining characteristics of traditional Ryukyu glass.
Glass products are believed to have reached the Ryukyu Islands relatively early through trade with other parts of Asia. Glass manufacturing had begun in the region by the middle of the Meiji period, and in 1909, a modern glass factory was established near present-day Ōnoyama in Naha.
Because postwar Ryukyu glass was made by melting down a mixture of discarded bottles, the finished products often developed distinctive characteristics. Thick glass in shades of red, green, and other vivid colors, together with small bubbles trapped inside the glass during the recycling process, became part of its unmistakable charm.
Rather than being considered imperfections, these bubbles and variations give each piece a handmade appearance. The slightly irregular shapes and rich colors have become an important part of the appeal of Ryukyu glass.
The spread of refrigerators in Okinawa increased opportunities to enjoy awamori, the traditional Okinawan distilled spirit, served on the rocks. Wide-mouthed handmade glasses were well suited to this style of drinking.
The cool appearance and handmade character of these glasses attracted visitors to Okinawa, and Ryukyu glass gradually became recognized as one of the region’s distinctive traditional crafts and popular souvenirs.
As interest in Okinawa grew, the number of manufacturers and independent workshops increased, with artisans developing their own techniques and styles. While recycled bottles remain part of the tradition, new glass materials and melting techniques are also used today.
Contemporary Ryukyu glass ranges from artistic works and decorative objects to practical tableware and gifts. Some Okinawan glass artisans have even been recognized as Contemporary Master Craftspeople of Japan, reflecting the growing reputation of the craft as both a traditional art and a regional brand.
Another distinctive development is Hotaru Glass, a uniquely Okinawan style of glass bead known as tonbodama. Together with traditional glassware, these newer forms demonstrate how Okinawan glassmaking continues to evolve while retaining its regional identity.
The grounds of Ryukyu Glass Village extend beyond the workshops and galleries. Tropical flowers bloom among lush greenery, while colorful glass flowers, artistic objects, and installations made from iron and Ryukyu glass create a unique outdoor setting.
The GLASS GARDEN is particularly appealing for visitors who want to slow down and enjoy the artistic side of the village. The combination of tropical vegetation, sunlight, and sparkling glass creates a relaxing atmosphere that feels distinctly Okinawan.
Ryukyu Glass Village brings together craftsmanship, history, art, and hands-on experiences in one destination. Visitors can watch professional artisans at work, learn how Ryukyu glass developed, try making their own piece, and explore colorful glass artworks surrounded by tropical greenery.
For travelers looking for an experience beyond Okinawa’s beaches and historic sites, Ryukyu Glass Village offers an engaging introduction to one of the island’s most recognizable traditional crafts.
10:00-17:30
Open all year round
Admission free
From Naha Bus Terminal, take “No. 89 Itoman Line” → Itoman Bus Terminal
From Itoman Bus Terminal, take “No. 82 Gyokusendo Itoman Line” or “No. 108 Nanbu Circulation Line” → get off at “Hahira Entrance” and walk about 1 minute.