Local Guide
Okinawan pottery that is close to everyday life. 6 unique "Yachimun" pottery kilns

Okinawan pottery "Yachimun" is popular for its thick, simple texture and practicality. It can be used to serve Okinawan cuisine, as well as Japanese, Western and Chinese cuisine. Here are six recommended pottery studios to visit when you visit Okinawa. These are unique pieces from studios that continue to make traditional pottery, and artists who are trying new styles. If you love cooking and pottery, why not buy some Yachimun as a souvenir from Okinawa?

Pottery that pursues the "formal beauty" of the Ryukyu Dynasty

Blue and white plate 3,300 yen, WAKUTA Makai 2,640 yen, Persian Blue Caracalla 6,600 yen, Persian Blue sake cup 2,200 yen, Mintama 6-inch plate 4,400 yen
Blue and white plate 3,300 yen, WAKUTA Makai 2,640 yen, Persian Blue Caracalla 6,600 yen, Persian Blue sake cup 2,200 yen, Mintama 6-inch plate 4,400 yen

"I would like to incorporate as much of Okinawa's nature, history, and the lives of the people who live there into one piece of work and convey that as much as possible," says the potter, who is run by a Kyoto-born potter. He creates pottery every day, conscious of the "dignified beauty of form" created during the Ryukyu Dynasty and the "eggshell-like white" that he saw at a museum as a student and was shocked by.
The "mintama" (meaning "eyeball" in Okinawa dialect) series is a modern take on Wakuta ware, which is older than Tsuboya ware and was made around 400 years ago, and uses primary colors that look great in Okinawa. The blue and white porcelain with cobalt painting stands out, giving it a simple and elegant appearance. The potter creates the vessels while keeping in mind the food he will be serving on them, and says, "Of course I use them myself." The vessels are simple yet impactful, and you can feel their vitality. Works can be purchased at the gallery on the second floor of the studio.

[Stores] Studio 2nd floor gallery, Ryukyu Folk Crafts Center

Comments Local Guide
Koji Iki, the owner of Ceramic Studio Ichi, which has many fans outside the prefecture, is a man full of energy.
Pottery Studio Ichi
  • URLhttps://toukikoubou1.com
  • 住所925-2 Nagahama, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 65 minutes by car from Naha Airport (using toll roads)
  • 営業時間9:00～18:00
  • 定休日Closed on Sundays
  • TEL098-958-1612
  • 駐車場to exist

A simple and versatile dish that can be used for a wide range of dishes, from champuru to pasta.

Oval plate S 3,300 yen, small plate 880 yen, regular bowl 2,310 yen, 4-inch makai 1,980 yen, Japanese-style blue and white plate 8-inch 5,500 yen
Oval plate S 3,300 yen, small plate 880 yen, regular bowl 2,310 yen, 4-inch makai 1,980 yen, Japanese-style blue and white plate 8-inch 5,500 yen

This pottery studio is located in a residential area of Yomitan Village. They have a wide variety of items that use a vibrant cobalt blue glaze. Many people imagine Yachimun pottery to be thick and plump, but Iguchi Kobo's pottery is simple and delicate. When you hold the plates, makai (bowls, donburi bowls), and bowls in your hand, you'll be surprised at how light they are, which suggests that they are often used at the dinner table.
"I hope that tableware that blends into your daily life will enhance your daily cooking and give you energy every day..." the artist creates his works with this thought in mind. Plain white, black, and beige tableware, as well as patterned tableware with cobalt blue glaze, are popular for "enhancing the food served on them." They can be purchased at the workshop shop every Saturday from 1pm to 5pm, so be sure to stop by.

[Stores] D&DEPARTMENT OKINAWA and others

Comments Local Guide
These simple and light dishes are sure to make you want to use them every day. They're the kind of dishes you'll want to buy in bulk.
Iguchi Studio
  • URLhttps://iguchikoubou.com
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture, Nakagami District, Yomitan Village, Aza Furukata 93-372 MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport (using toll roads)
  • TEL098-989-5391
  • 駐車場to exist

Simple tableware that can be used daily like miscellaneous goods

Blue rimmed plate (7.5 inch), blue free cup, Ichichin makai, nut soup cup, Ichichin 5 inch plate
Blue rimmed plate (7.5 inch), blue free cup, Ichichin makai, nut soup cup, Ichichin 5 inch plate

This pottery studio opened in 2019. The name of the studio comes from the floating seaweed that floats in the ocean. They aim to create simple finishes so that the food they serve will stand out.
It is said that the original glaze can take a year to make, and the unique and calm blue color is memorable. The white cup, painted using the traditional technique of Icchin, has a soft and feminine image. The soup cups of the Nuts series are plump and fit comfortably in the hand, and you can serve salads and stews in them to create a slightly different dining experience than usual.

[Stores] mano, Fujii Clothing Store, etc.

Comments Local Guide
The soft, feminine colors and shapes of the vessels make you feel at ease every time you use them.
nagaremo

A joint kiln run by four of Okinawa's leading Yachimun artists

Masayuki Miyagi One Boo (bowl) 4,400 yen, Yoneji Matsuda Anbin 11,000 yen, Masamori Yonahara Plate 15,000 yen, Kyoji Matsuda 7-inch Plate 3,630 yen
Masayuki Miyagi One Boo (bowl) 4,400 yen, Yoneji Matsuda Anbin 11,000 yen, Masamori Yonahara Plate 15,000 yen, Kyoji Matsuda 7-inch Plate 3,630 yen

Yachimun no Sato is a must-visit for pottery lovers, with 19 workshops. This pottery studio, located at the very back of the village, was established in 1992 by four potters. Some create pottery with a strong style and beautiful presence, some use Persian blue glaze to create exotic pieces with motifs from Okinawa, Asia and Africa, some preserve tradition while incorporating new techniques and patterns to create pottery suited to modern life, and some create a wide range of works from powerful to delicate. Each workshop is located on the same premises and produces Yachimun with its own unique character.
The works of these four artists are fired in a large kiln with 13 chambers about four times a year and can be purchased at the Kitagama shop.

[Store] Kitagama Baiten

Comments Local Guide
The Kitagama Shop sells pottery by four great artists at reasonable prices, so it's a must-see for pottery lovers!
Kitagama (shop)
  • 住所2653-1 Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 65 minutes by car from Naha Airport (using toll roads)
  • 営業時間9:30〜13:00、14:00〜17:30
  • 定休日Mondays (please call to confirm)
  • TEL098-958-6488
  • 駐車場to exist

Yachimun and Ryukyu glass. Unique vessels that can be enjoyed in different variations

Ryukyu glass square plates, small glass plates, cups and saucers, pasta plates, oval plates
Ryukyu glass square plates, small glass plates, cups and saucers, pasta plates, oval plates

This is a pottery studio we recommend for those who want to avoid having the same thing as others. The potter here creates unique items such as cups and saucers and dishes in pastel colors that are rare in Yachimun, and the "Ryukyu Glass Square Plate" which is a square plate with Ryukyu glass placed in the center. The dishes made with Ryukyu glass have a fantastic look as they shine and take on different colors depending on how the light hits them.
It seems that it is difficult to get the right combination of glaze with Ryukyu glass, so the amount is carefully adjusted to create the perfect finish. "I want my products to be a little more enjoyable to use on a daily basis," says the artist. He incorporates Guest/customer feedback into his work and strives to create products that are tailored to the needs of the user.

[Stores] Maranata, Yuntan, Hotel Nikko Alivila, etc.

Comments Local Guide
The combination of Ryukyu glass and Yachimun is quite new! It's unusual, so it may make a great souvenir from Okinawa.
eibou
  • URLhttps://instagram.com/mijyu.1124
  • 住所Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture
  • TEL080-6486-6571
  • メモWe do not sell these products at our workshop. Prices vary depending on the retailer.

Twin sisters create tableware in vibrant colors that will instantly brighten up your dining table

Small plates, colored round plates, colored square plates
Small plates, colored round plates, colored square plates

This pottery studio is run by twin sisters from Osaka. Their colorful and cute pottery is so impactful that it makes you squeal with joy. They incorporate the "colorful nature of Okinawa" and "the flowers, birds, wind and moon of the tropics" they encounter in their daily lives into their works, aiming to create "Yachimun that stands up to the vivid colors and contrasts of Okinawa."
The elder sister is in charge of shaping, and the younger sister is in charge of painting. The dishes, mugs, and free cups that will brighten your mood every time you use them are not only great for serving food, but also as accessory trays or decorative pieces. Yachimun is a visual treat that will brighten up your time at home, and it's a great idea to collect them in different colors and designs.

[Stores] mofgmona no zakka and others

Comments Local Guide
These pop and colorful dishes make you feel cheerful just by looking at them, and are very popular among women. They would make a great gift for a female friend.
Workshop Twin Hall

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
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