Tsuboya Pottery Museum

Overview

The Tsuboya Pottery Museum is a compact museum at the heart of the pottery district, documenting the 300-year history of Okinawan ceramic traditions. Exhibits display excavated kiln fragments, traditional tools, and masterwork yachimun pieces.

Highlights

• Historical Kiln Models: Scale reproductions showing how the communal climbing kilns operated.
• Arakaki Family Collection: Works by living national treasures in the Okinawan pottery lineage.
• Excavation Displays: Shards and artifacts from archaeological digs beneath the Tsuboya district.

History

Opened in 2000, the museum was built to preserve and promote Tsuboya's ceramic heritage as the district shifted from production to tourism. It sits on a site where kiln remains dating to the 17th century were discovered during construction.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Small but well-curated — an ideal starting point before exploring the pottery street.
• Tip 2: Closed on Mondays. Entry is ¥350.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.