SUI TAXI · NAHA CITY
Tsuboya Yachimun Street 340 Years of Okinawan Pottery.
Tsuboya, Naha | Climbing Kilns & Artisan Workshops | 10 Min Walk from Kokusai Street
Just Behind Kokusai Street, a Whole Different World.
Tsuboya Yachimun Street is a 400-meter stone-paved lane in the Tsuboya district of Naha. "Yachimun" means pottery in the Okinawan language. Walk about 10 minutes from the busy Kokusai Street and the atmosphere shifts completely. The souvenir shops give way to quiet workshops and galleries where potters are still making ceramics by hand. Most of our guests say the same thing: "I had no idea this was here."
The street dates back to 1682, when the Ryukyu Kingdom consolidated scattered pottery kilns into Tsuboya. It has been the center of Okinawan ceramics ever since. There are two main types of Tsuboya ware: Arayachi, unglazed stoneware traditionally used for awamori storage jars, and Joyachi, glazed and decorated pottery with fish and arabesque patterns that Okinawan families still use at their dinner tables. If you want to bring home one piece, a Joyachi bowl is a good choice.
The Minamigama (South Kiln) in Tsuboya. The only surviving Arayachi climbing kiln on the Okinawa main island, designated as an Okinawa Prefecture tangible cultural property.
The Climbing Kiln and Museum What to See in Tsuboya
One of the highlights along the street is the Minamigama (South Kiln), the only remaining Arayachi climbing kiln on Okinawa's main island. It is a designated tangible cultural property of Okinawa Prefecture. Built into a hillside, the kiln structure is right there in the open for you to see up close. It is no longer in use, but it tells the story of Tsuboya better than anything else in the area.
Near the entrance of the street, the Naha City Tsuboya Pottery Museum is worth a quick visit before you start walking. The exhibits cover the difference between Arayachi and Joyachi, and how trade with Southeast Asia and China shaped Okinawan ceramics over centuries. Admission is 350 yen. After seeing the museum, you will start noticing the differences between each workshop's style as you walk through the street.
The 400-meter stone-paved street lined with pottery workshops and galleries.
Buy handcrafted shisa and tableware directly from artisan workshops.
Tsuboya Walking Course with SUI TAXI
From Naha Airport to Tsuboya Yachimun Street, it is about 15 to 20 minutes by SUI TAXI. The street is walkable from Kokusai Street, but the narrow alleys around Tsuboya make driving and parking difficult. SUI TAXI drops you off right at the entrance and picks you up when you are done exploring.
A popular option is to combine Tsuboya with Kokusai Street, Naminoue Shrine, and Kinjo-cho Stone-Paved Road in a Naha City Course (3 to 4 hours). Any pottery or shisa you buy can be safely loaded into the Alphard's spacious cargo area. We keep packing materials in the car, so fragile items are well taken care of.
— How long to spend: A walk through Tsuboya Yachimun Street takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. If you want to browse the workshops carefully or visit the Pottery Museum as well, allow 1 to 2 hours. After Tsuboya, SUI TAXI can take you straight to Kokusai Street or Shuri Castle.
Tsuboya Yachimun Street 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 and parking charged separately |
| Naha half-day course (3–4 hours, with Kokusai Street and Shuri Castle) | ¥21,000〜 | The same time slot can be rearranged to suit. Expressway tolls, parking and admission charged separately |
| Naha Airport → hotels in Naha (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
| hotels in Naha → 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.
Location
Tsuboya, Naha (10 min walk from Kokusai Street)
Admission
Free (open street)
Highlights
340-year history, climbing kiln, artisan workshops
From Naha Airport
Approx. 15-20 min by taxi
Access Information
| Location | Tsuboya 1-chome, Naha (10 min walk from Kokusai Street) |
| Admission | Free (open street) |
| Pottery Museum | 350 yen (free for university students and younger) / Closed Mondays (next day if holiday) / 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30) |
| Highlights | Climbing kiln (Minamigama), workshops, Pottery Museum |
| From Naha Airport | Approx. 15-20 min by taxi |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi from Naha to Tsuboya Yachimun Street 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. Walking the street is free.
How long do we need there?
The street runs about 400 metres. An hour to an hour and a half covers the kilns and workshops, plus another 30 minutes for the Tsuboya Pottery Museum (¥350).
Will the pottery we buy survive the journey?
The shops wrap purchases for you. We carry them in the cabin rather than the boot, so you can head straight on to the next stop.
Can we walk here from Kokusai Street?
Yes, about 10 minutes from the Makishi end. Some guests are dropped on Kokusai Street, walk through to Tsuboya, and are collected at the far end.
Is anything closed on certain days?
Closing days vary by shop, and the Tsuboya Pottery Museum shuts on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a public holiday). On Mondays we build the route around the street and the kilns instead.
Ready to book?
