Charming pottery reflecting the nature of the islands

• In Yomitan village, which is near the center of the main island of Okinawa, there is an area called Yachimun-no-Sato, which has 19 studios that produce traditional Okinawan pottery, called yachimun. The popular destination offers a peak into a more nostalgic side of Okinawa, with diverse, colorful pottery and distinctive, red-tiled ascending kilns.


• Near the entrance to Yachimun-no-Sato is Gallery Utsuwaya, which doubles as a direct-sale retail shop for items crafted by pottery artist Tsunehide Shimabukuro. Pottery made by Shimabukuro is known for its vibrant colors and sense of warmth. The gallery features quintessential Okinawa designs, including tenuchi (like ink spots), stripes, and plants. Particularly popular pieces of pottery use a technique called gosu-ronuki, which employs indigo pigment and creates a pattern using wax. Their glistening vibrance is sure to bring the soft air of the islands into your everyday life.