SUI TAXI · SOUTH OKINAWA
Ryukyu Glass Village Take Home the Beauty of Okinawa Born from Flames.
Itoman City | Ryukyu Glass Experience | Glassblowing and Workshop Tours
Born from Recycled Bottles, Okinawa's Colors and Light.
Ryukyu Glass Village is a comprehensive Ryukyu glass facility located in Itoman City, Okinawa. Workshops and experience shops for Ryukyu glass, one of Okinawa's representative traditional crafts, gather here, allowing visitors to watch artisans at work up close while creating their own glass pieces. About 30-40 minutes by car from Naha city, it is a staple southern sightseeing spot visited by many tourists.
The most distinctive feature of Ryukyu glass is that it is made from recycled bottles. Used beer bottles and sake bottles are melted in high-temperature flames, and artisans blow air into the molten glass to shape it. The irregular bubbles and unique colors that result from this production method are what make Ryukyu glass so charming, and the fact that no two pieces are alike is highly valued. Translucent greens, blues, and ambers -- colors reminiscent of Okinawa's sea and nature -- are particularly popular.
Experience options are diverse, including glassblowing, glass painting, glass engraving and accessory making, with a range of durations and prices. The glassblowing experience (from 4,400 yen) lets you actually blow air to create glasses or bud vases, with skilled artisans providing support so even beginners can enjoy it with confidence. Blown glass is shipped later, while most other workshops let you take your piece home the same day. The expansive shop carries a rich selection of ready-made Ryukyu glass products, making them very popular as Okinawa souvenirs.
Ryukyu glass shaped in flames. The artisan's breath creates one-of-a-kind pieces.
Highlights and How to Enjoy Your Visit
The highlight of Ryukyu Glass Village begins with the live artisan demonstrations in the workshop. Watching craftsmen gather molten glass on iron pipes in front of the high-temperature furnace, blowing and shaping it with each breath, is simply breathtaking. The production process, with the shape changing every few seconds, is entertaining even just to watch. Workshop tours are free, and you can observe the production area up close.
Among the experience courses, the glassblowing experience is especially popular. Staff provide careful support, so even those new to glass crafting can participate with confidence. The process of choosing your own shape and colors is fun, and the sense of accomplishment when your one-of-a-kind creation is complete is truly special. Glass engraving (from 4,800 yen) and glass painting (from 3,300 yen) are also available if you want something other than glassblowing.
The shop carries hundreds of varieties of Ryukyu glass products including glasses, plates, vases, and accessories, with prices ranging from affordable items to one-of-a-kind artisan pieces. While Ryukyu glass is also sold at Naha Airport shops, Ryukyu Glass Village offers the largest selection and best prices. The shop alone is worth the visit. Advance reservations are recommended for experiences during summer holidays and consecutive holidays when it gets crowded.
Glassblowing experience. Artisan support ensures beginners feel at ease.
Colorful Ryukyu glass products. Okinawa's signature souvenirs.
Getting to Ryukyu Glass Village by Taxi
A round-trip charter from Naha to Ryukyu Glass Village (approx. 3 hours) starts at approximately ¥21,000 (tax included, expressway tolls separate). The "Southern Course (5-6 hours)" combined with Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park starts at approximately ¥35,000. Half-day courses including experience time (approx. 1-2 hours) are the most common, and full-day courses combining multiple southern spots are also popular.
Completed Ryukyu glass pieces and purchased shop items are fragile, so they can be carefully wrapped and safely loaded into the Alphard's spacious luggage space. The driver will also assist with loading heavy items. The Itoman area is conveniently located for combining with southern sightseeing spots such as Himeyuri Tower, Okinawa World, and Peace Memorial Park.
— Advance Reservations Recommended for Experiences: The glassblowing experience is popular and may fill up, especially during summer holidays, consecutive holidays, and weekends. We recommend making advance reservations through the Ryukyu Glass Village official website.
— Note on Taking Your Creations Home: Glassblowing pieces are shipped after they cool, usually arriving 2 to 7 days after the workshop. If you want to receive yours during your trip, ask at reception whether it can be sent to your hotel.
Ryukyu Glass Village Charter Fares
| Plan | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip charter from Naha (3 hours) | ¥21,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥4,200 per person. Expressway tolls, parking and admission charged separately |
| Southern course (5–6 hours, with Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park) | ¥35,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥7,000 per person. Expressway tolls, parking and admission charged separately |
| Naha Airport → hotels in Itoman (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
| hotels in Itoman → Naha Airport (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
Charter fares are time-based at ¥7,000 per hour (¥3,500 per additional 30 minutes booked in advance). Extensions made after departure are ¥4,200 per 30 minutes. Admission, expressway tolls and parking are charged at cost. For charters of 6 hours or more we take a 30% deposit when you book, and the balance is paid on the day. Minimum booking times depend on where you start: from 3 hours in the south and central area, 4 hours in Onna Village and 6 hours in the north, and 8 hours for trips that cross between the south and the north. Where a long transfer is involved, the transfer fare for that stretch is the floor for the price. From 26 December 2026 to 6 January 2027 (New Year holiday period), the minimum charge for charters is ¥56,000.
Address
169 Fukuchi, Itoman City, Okinawa
Hours
9:30-17:30 (workshop reception times vary by activity)
Experience Fees
Glassblowing from 4,400 yen, glass painting from 3,300 yen
From Naha
Approx. 30-40 minutes by car
Access Information
| Location | 169 Fukuchi, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Hours | 9:30-17:30 (workshop reception times vary by activity) |
| From Naha | Approx. 30-40 minutes by car |
| Combo Course | Southern course with Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park is popular |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi from Naha to Ryukyu Glass Village cost?
A round-trip charter of 3 hours starts from ¥21,000. That is the price for one Alphard carrying up to five guests, so with five people it works out from ¥4,200 each. Workshop fees (glassblowing from ¥4,400, among others) are charged separately.
How long does the glassblowing take?
The blowing itself takes about 10 minutes, but allow one to two hours with check-in and queueing. Glassblowing reception closes at 4pm, so we work the departure back from that.
Can we take our piece home the same day?
Blown glass is shipped after it cools, usually arriving 2 to 7 days later. Some workshops, such as glass painting and accessory making, let you take your piece home the same day.
Is it worth visiting without doing a workshop?
You can watch the makers at work, and the shop carries their pieces. An hour is enough to look round and buy.
Can we add the Himeyuri Tower or Peace Memorial Park?
Yes, the Himeyuri Tower is about 10 minutes away. The three southern stops together make a 5 to 6 hour course from ¥35,000.
Ready to book?
Recommended Combination Courses
Himeyuri Tower
Battle of Okinawa historic site in Itoman. About 10 min by car from Ryukyu Glass Village.
Stay 30 min+
Peace Memorial Park
War memorial park on Mabuni Hill, Itoman. About 15 min by car from Ryukyu Glass Village.
Stay 30 min+
Okinawa World
Gyokusendo Cave and Ryukyu culture in Nanjo. About 20 min by car from Ryukyu Glass Village.
Stay 60 min+