Museums in Okinawa

Ranked among the must-visit museums in Okinawa, the Okinawa Kenritsu Museum is made up of two sections showcasing Okinawa’s unique heritage. The first section is a history museum that narrates Okinawa’s history from before the Ryukyu era to modernity. In this section, you can see artefacts and displays based on natural history, archaeology, crafts, and folklore. The second section is the arts museum where multiple art forms are displayed in different galleries. You can see sketches, videos, paintings, and sculptures here.

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Learn about the fascinating past of Naha City, the heart of Okinawa during the Ryukyu era as you visit the museums in Okinawa. Since Naha was the capital of the ever-expanding kingdom, a unique culture developed here that had influences of China and Japan. The Naha History Museum is home to a vast collection of arts, crafts, and historical artefacts that narrate the past of the island. The most valuable collections include the national treasures of the Sho Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

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As a region that gives unparalleled importance to traditional crafts, the Naha Tsuboya Yakimono Museum is obviously among the top Okinawa museums. The attraction is the only pottery museum in Okinawa where you can witness the connections of the island to this ancient craft in depth. The exhibits here include the region’s oldest pottery products to works created by new-age potters. You can also see an ancient kiln preserved in its original state here.

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The Urasoe-shi Museum ranks high on the list of unique museums in Okinawa and even Japan with its stunning collection of lacquerware. What sets the museum apart from others is that it collects lacquerware unique to Asia, focussing on the Ryukyu Kingdom and modern Okinawa. The permanent exhibitions showcase a wide-ranging collection that introduces you to Ryukyu lacquer art based on their thematic concepts. Learn about the intriguing history of the Ryukyu Kingdom during your tour.

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When exploring the museums in Okinawa, you must visit the Nago Museum if you are passionate about the natural history of the island. Although the museum is quite small, its galleries cover a massive collection of artefacts related to Okinawa’s natural and cultural history. Witness how the native people made use of local flora and fauna as part of their daily life and explore unique exhibitions. Two popular exhibits are the whale hunting section and the shell of a giant clam weighing over 200 kilograms.

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Those looking for museums in Okinawa inspired by nature, the Kumejima Museum is a must-visit as part of your Okinawa itinerary. The offbeat museum is a facility for breeding and nurturing sea turtles which are on the verge of extinction. The best part of the museum experience is that you can see the sea turtles swimming around in tanks during your tour. You will also get the opportunity to handle and feed turtles under expert guidance here.

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If culture and heritage fascinate you, Miyakojima Sogo Museum is among the top museums in Okinawa for you. The relatively famous museum showcases the folk customs, culture, natural beauty, and history of Miyako Island within a small space. The two exhibit halls have displays on excavated archaeological sites and an exhibit recreating life on the island under the Meijis and Showas. You can also participate in interactive educational activities and watch special-themed exhibits during your visit.

One of the offbeat museums in Okinawa is the MITSUO Museum, which is dedicated to the Zen poet and calligrapher Mitsuo Aida. The collections in the museum showcase stunning works of brush-and-ink calligraphy and poems that connect traditional and modern art forms. What made Mitsuo Aida’s work special is that it was a truly original art style developed to suit his style of poetry. The calligraphy displays are iconic works of art that reflect intelligent calculations and deep feelings.