Since I've come all the way to Okinawa on a trip, I'd like to experience various traditional cultural activities.

However, many people probably find it difficult to decide which of the many experiential facilities to visit.

Ryukyu Village is a theme park located in Onna Village, a resort area in central Okinawa Prefecture, where visitors can experience traditional Okinawan culture.

Nine old farmhouses, many of which were once inhabited, have been relocated to the park grounds and are over 100 years old. They are registered as national tangible cultural properties.

Being surrounded by so many old houses in one area makes you feel like you're back in old Okinawa.

Furthermore, with over 30 different types of cultural experiences available, you're sure to find something you like.

This time, we'll introduce how to enjoy "Ryukyu Village," where you can experience the good old days of Okinawa!

<Contents>
1. What kind of place is Ryukyu Village?
2. What kind of experiences can I have?
2-1 Paid Area
2-2 Free Area
3. Two performances you should see at Ryukyu Village
3-1 Road June
3-2 Eisa
4. Dining area
4-1 Kijimunaa Cafeteria
4-2 Dinner at a traditional Japanese house
5. Basic Information & Special Offers for Ryukyu Village
6. Conclusion

1. What kind of place is Ryukyu Village?

Ryukyu Village is a theme park where you can experience the traditional atmosphere and culture of Okinawa.
The Ryukyu Village park is divided into a free area (Okinawa Station Chanpuru) and a paid area.

In the main paid area, authentic old houses have been relocated from various parts of Okinawa, creating a landscape that feels like stepping back in time.
Many dramas, both domestic and international, are filmed here, making it quite professional. It's perfect for photography.

Only at Ryukyu Village can you not only look around, but also experience crafts in old houses and enjoy traditional Okinawan sweets.

If you especially want to enjoy the traditional Okinawan atmosphere, I highly recommend visiting the paid area.

Also, in the free area just inside the park entrance, there are rows of red-tiled huts where you can enjoy easy-to-participate activities such as trying on Ryukyuan traditional clothing or coloring Shisa statues.
Because it has a dome-shaped roof, you can play safely even on rainy days.

There are restaurants serving Okinawan cuisine and souvenir shops, making it convenient for dining and shopping.

It's a place you can easily drop by even if you don't have much time but would like to experience at least one traditional activity.

2. What kind of experiences can I have?

2-2 Paid Area

① Sanshin
At Ryukyu Village, there are five live performances of Okinawan folk songs using the sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed instrument) every day, and you can not only listen but also try playing it inside the old folk house.

The sanshin is played using a unique musical notation, but in the trial course, the notation is simplified, so even beginners can experience the joy of playing the sanshin.

There are seven classes per day (9:15, 11:00, 11:40, 13:20, 14:20, 15:00, 16:50), so please check the class start times before applying.

② Yushibin experience
A yushibin is a traditional Okinawan sake bottle shaped like a gourd.

The Ryukyu Village experience course begins with an Awamori lecture where you learn how Awamori is made.
After the class, participants transfer the freshly brewed awamori into a yushibin (a type of bottle) and write their names or messages on wooden tags.

If you take it home and let it age for more than three years, it will become aged awamori, which will have a smooth taste.

Of all the many experiential facilities, Ryukyu Village is the only one that offers the Yushibin experience.

[2-go bottle] 2500 yen. Preparation time: 20 minutes. [4-go bottle] 5000 yen. Preparation time: 30 minutes.

③Textiles
At Ryukyu Village, you can create three types of textiles: coasters, mini cornflowers, and floral weaving with traditional patterns.

Hanaori is a popular pattern, as it was once a tribute item presented to royal courts and trading partners.

The Minsa pattern, which features five and four motifs arranged in a row, also carries the meaning of "forever and ever," and some people have it made as a memento for their engagement or wedding anniversary.

Since there are only two looms, those who want to try weaving should make a reservation before going.

[Coaster] Price: 1000 yen, Duration: 20 minutes [Mini Center] Price: 1500 yen, Duration: 30 minutes [Kaori] Price: 2500 yen, Duration: 120 minutes

2-2 Free Area

① Ryukyu costume experience
The Ryukyu Costume Experience, where you can wear colorful and cute Bingata kimonos or Eisa dance costumes, is one of the most popular activities at Ryukyu Village.

The unique color scheme of Bingata expresses the nature of Okinawa, and while it is colorful, it also has a certain warmth to it.

The photos you take can be downloaded and saved as data, making them easy to share.

We offer a wide variety of options, from simple Ryukyuan costumes that don't take much time to put on to authentic Ryukyuan costumes, so please choose according to your time and budget.

[Easy Ryukyuan Costume] Price: 1200 yen Time required: 10 minutes [Authentic Ryukyuan Costume] Price: 4000 yen. Duration: Dressing/20 minutes, Stroll/60 minutes. [Niibichi Wedding Photography] Price: With hair styling/10000 yen, Without hair styling/8000 yen. Duration: 30 minutes

② Coloring the Shisa
Painting Shisa statues is an easy activity that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

All that's provided is a pure white Shisa base and some dye.
You can create various expressions, from smiling faces to strong, determined looks, allowing you to customize them to your liking despite their simplicity.

One of the highlights is that you can take home the painted Shisa statues as souvenirs right away.
You could make one with your family and use it as a guardian for your front door.

[Shisa Coloring] Price: 1300 yen, Duration: 50 minutes

③ Island sandals
In Okinawa, flip-flops are called "shima-zori."

At Ryukyu Village, you can even try carving illustrations into those traditional Okinawan sandals.
Carving your favorite design onto sandals with a utility knife is surprisingly difficult and requires a lot of concentration. But the feeling of accomplishment when it's finished is incredible.

The island sandals come in three sizes: S, M, and L. Because a knife is used, this activity is for ages 15 and up.

[Sandal carving] Price: 1800 yen, Duration: 90 minutes

3. Two performances you should see at Ryukyu Village

In the paid area of ​​Ryukyu Village, you can not only experience traditional culture in old houses, but also watch Okinawan traditional performances multiple times a day.

Below, I will introduce two performances that I particularly recommend.

3-1 Road June

Michijunee is a traditional Okinawan event in which people dance and parade through the village.
At Ryukyu Village, it is held twice daily, at 10:00 and 16:00, in the central plaza.

The unique deities and dances, unlike anything you'd see at festivals on the mainland, really get you in the groove.

In the second half of the street parade, the audience joins in to dance the kachāshī.
Kachāshī is a dance performed at celebrations or when friends gather to share happiness with each other.

Every Sunday at 16:00 PM, we hold a Kacha-shi Championship event where you can win prizes during the street parade.
The only rule is to have fun dancing. You too could become a champion!

3-2 Eisa

Eisa is a dance performed during the Obon festival with the wish that "our ancestors will be able to return safely."

At Ryukyu Village, you can see Eisa dance performed by a group called "jikata," who sing while playing the large drum, paranku (small drum), finger whistle, and sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument).

It is held three times a day, at 9:00, 12:00, and 14:00.
Please note that the venue varies depending on the start time.

The Eisa dance at Ryukyu Village is incredibly powerful and cool.
I would really like you to see it live at least once.

4. Dining area

4-1 Kijimunaa Cafeteria
At the restaurant "Kijimuna Shokudo," you can enjoy Okinawan soba noodles and dishes made with Okinawan ingredients.

They have a wide variety of rice bowl dishes, such as taco rice bowl (800 yen) and mozuku seaweed bowl (800 yen), but the recommended dish is the hamburger steak made with Ishigaki beef and Yanbaru pork (1200 yen).
With a generous 200g portion, it's a great choice for men as well. For an additional 300 yen, you can add rice, salad, and daily soup to any menu item to make it a set meal.

They also have a wide selection of classic dishes, such as Okinawa soba topped with pork belly (small/550 yen, regular/700 yen).

At the adjacent Chanpuru Theater, you can enjoy Okinawan folk music and sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument) shows four times a day, allowing you to experience the Okinawan atmosphere while you dine.

4-2 Dinner at a traditional Japanese house

At Ryukyu Village, you can enjoy a course meal featuring plenty of seasonal ingredients in a traditional Japanese house setting – that's the "Traditional House Dinner" experience.

The illuminated old house is not only nostalgic but also somehow romantic.
Meals taste even better when you enjoy them while listening to someone play and sing on the sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument).

Reservations are required and a minimum of 6 people are necessary, but why not try it out with your family or group?

5. Basic Information & Special Offers for Ryukyu Village

If you're planning to visit Ryukyu Village and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium during your trip, booking online in advance is definitely the best option!
Normally priced at 3,050 yen per adult, you can purchase it for 2,750 yen.

*Please note that while it's okay to enter on different days, you must visit Ryukyu Village first.

We also have various other great deals available, so please check them out here if you're interested .

<Ryukyu Village> ■Address: 1130 Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0416 ■ Telephone number: 098-965-1234 ■Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 17:30 PM (Last reception: 17:00 PM) (Daylight Saving Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from July 1st to September 30th) ■Closed days: Open all year round (closed during typhoons) ■Official website URL: https://www.ryukyumura.co.jp/official/ ■Admission fee: Adults/1200 yen, Children (6-15 years old)/600 yen

6. Conclusion

How did you like our suggestions for enjoying Ryukyu Village?

While there are old houses scattered throughout Okinawa Prefecture, there is no other place like Ryukyu Village where you can see so many old houses from 100 or 200 years ago all at once.

You can spend a whole day playing, or just try out a few things that interest you.

Please go and find your own unique way to spend your time at Ryukyu Village.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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