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Okinawa is home to rich nature and unique culture and traditions. Among these, “Ryukyumura” is the place where you can experience the lifestyle and performing arts of the old days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The park is lined with old houses and the sound of sanshin (Okinawan guitar) echoes through the air, creating an atmosphere in which time seems to have stopped.
The world of the Ryukyu Islands will be brought back to life through a variety of hands-on programs, including traditional performing arts, costume experiences, and folk craft making.
It is a place where you can encounter the unique charm of Okinawa, where nature and culture are in harmony. In this issue, we will introduce the highlights of Ryukyumura, a place where you can get in touch with the heart of Ryukyu.
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What is Ryukyumura?
Ryukyumura is a cultural theme park located in Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, where visitors can recreate and experience traditional Okinawan life and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom period.
At this facility, visitors can tour a relocated old minka house and experience Okinawan culture firsthand through a number of programs, including live sanshin (Okinawan guitar) performances, traditional dances, and hands-on crafts.
It is an attractive spot for family visits as well as a must-see for culture lovers.
Ryukyumura Basic Information
| name | Ryukyu Village |
| address (e.g. of house) | 1130 Aza Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan |
| Phone number | 098-953-5661 |
| Access | Approximately 1 hour drive from Naha Airport, 15 minutes from Ishikawa IC |
| bus | Take No. 20 Nago Nishi Line or No. 120 Nago Nishi Airport Line and get off at Ryukyumura-mae Bus Stop. |
| Business Hours | 09:30-17:00 (last admission at 16:00) |
| Charge | Adults 2,000 yen, High school students 1,500 yen, Children (6-15) 800 yen, Children under 6 free |
| parking lot | Free, large parking lot available |
| business holiday | open every day of the year |
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How to enjoy Ryukyumura
A day at Ryukyumura is not just a tour of old houses, but also a chance to learn more about Okinawan culture by participating in a variety of hands-on activities.
- Viewing of traditional performing arts: Visitors can enjoy passionate and colorful performances such as Ryukyuan dances and Eisa performances.
- Hands-on Crafts: Experience traditional Okinawan crafts such as shisa making and Bingata dyeing by actually working with your hands.
- Explore old private houses: Tour old private houses that still preserve the architectural style of the Ryukyu period and appreciate their architectural beauty.
- Okinawan food tasting: Visitors can taste traditional Okinawan cuisine at the park’s cafeteria.
Different events and shows are offered at different times of the day, so it is important to check the schedule before visiting and plan accordingly so as not to miss any of the events you want to see.
A great way to reserve a rental car that locals also use!
History of Ryukyu Village
Ryukyumura is a cultural facility established in 1982 to pass on to future generations the culture and history of the Ryukyu Kingdom, when Okinawa was once an independent nation.
The Ryukyu Kingdom existed from the 15th to 19th centuries and developed its own culture while actively trading with Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.
Against the backdrop of this rich history, Ryukyumura was established in Onna Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island as a place where visitors can experience its traditions and charms, and has continued to this day.
Ryukyumura takes advantage of this historical background to recreate ancient architectural techniques and traditional lifestyles in the modern age, providing visitors with an opportunity to become familiar with Okinawa’s history.
This facility connects Okinawa’s past with its present, and helps to communicate its value to a wider audience.
Ryukyumura Usage Information
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- The park is open daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Last admission is one hour before closing, i.e., by 4:00 p.m.
Admission Fee: $20.00
- Adults: 2,000 yen (16 years and older)
- High school students: 1,500 yen (student ID required)
- Children: 800 yen (6 to 15 years old)
- Infants: Free (under 6 years old)
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Access by car: by
- Access from Naha Airport : From Naha Airport, drive approximately one hour north on National Route 58 to reach Ryukyu Village in Onna Village. Onna Village is located on the west coast of Okinawa’s main island.
- By highway: After exiting at the Ishikawa Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway, it takes about 15 minutes to reach Ryukyumura.
Access by bus
- Local bus: From the Naha Bus Terminal, board the No. 20 Nago Nishi Line or No. 120 Nago Nishi Airport Line and disembark at the Ryukyumura-mae bus stop. It is approximately a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
Parking information:.
- Ryukyumura has a large free parking lot that can accommodate many tourist cars and buses.
Battle of the Hub and the Mongoose
The author once saw a battle between a hub and a mongoose in Ryukyu Village.
The hub versus mongoose show at Ryukyumura was certainly one of the more common spectacles in old Okinawa. The show featured a fight between a venomous snake, the habu, and a small, ravenous mongoose, and many tourists were fascinated by the rarity of the show.
However, from a modern perspective that emphasizes animal welfare, such shows are considered cruelty to animals, and such practices are now severely restricted by law.
In 2000 (Heisei 12), the Animal Protection Law was amended to prohibit public events that use animals for the purpose of abuse. This amendment to the law was an important step in protecting animals, and the act of fighting between hubs and mongooses was also banned, leading to the cancellation of the Ryukyumura show.
Save (up to 32% off) on discounted online tickets to Ryukyumura from ↓.
summary
Ryukyumura is a sightseeing spot where visitors can experience traditional Okinawan culture.
In the park, old houses, sugar mills, and kiln sites from the Ryukyu Kingdom period have been recreated, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the time.
Various experience menus are available, including traditional performing arts shows such as Eisa and Ryukyuan dance, costume experience, and Shisa painting experience. There is also a free zone where visitors can casually enjoy Okinawan dances and meals.
It is also conveniently accessible, only about an hour’s drive from the airport. Admission is reasonably priced for families, at 2,000 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for high school students, and 800 yen for children.
The Ryukyumura is a place where you can experience the history and culture of Okinawa, and where you can have a unique experience that can only be had here.
If you want to enjoy Okinawa, get discount tickets online!
special feature article
Roadside Stations and Direct Selling Stations Special Feature!
Michi no Eki (Roadside Stations) and direct sales shops in Okinawa are very popular tourist attractions. Each has its own unique characteristics, making them 200% worth visiting! Please visit them!
Special feature on beaches on the main island of Okinawa!
The main island of Okinawa has many wonderful beaches that can only be found in the tropics. We will introduce each of them in an easy-to-understand manner, from the very secluded to the well-serviced executive beaches.
Typhoon Okinawa
We have compiled a list of points to keep in mind when a typhoon approaches so that you can respond without panic before or during your trip. We hope you will find it useful.
One of the best spots for lunch in Okinawa!
