Murasaki Mura Visit Report

What can I do at ‘Murasaki Mura?’ Budget? Required time??

… We visited in person to answer those questions!

 

【1】What is ‘Murasaki Mura’ Like?

【1-1】A Theme Park With Replicated Ryukyu Buildings

It is a sightseeing facility that replicates traditional Okinawa, namely the scenery and buildings from the Ryukyu era.
Large-scale facilities from a TV drama have been reused and the ancient scenery spreads over their vast premises.

【1-2】Menu of a Variety of Okinawa Cultural Experiences

Sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed guitar) playing, making ‘sata andagi’ (Okinawan donuts), Painting Shisa (Okinawan lion dog) statues…
You can try authentic Okinawan experiences.
According to their official website, you can try 101 different activities!

【1-3】1-1.5 hours’ Drive From Naha

[google-map-v3 shortcodeid=”1711da634f” width=”100%” height=”400″ zoom=”15″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” enablegeolocationmarker=”false” enablemarkerclustering=”false” addmarkermashup=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”沖縄県中頭郡読谷村字高志保1020-1{}3-default.png{}体験王国Murasakimura” bubbleautopan=”true” distanceunits=”miles” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

It is located along the sea in Yomitan Village, in the central area of Okinawa’s main island.
The area has many resort hotels.
It is 1-1.5 hours’ drive from Naha.

【2】Murasaki Mura Information

 

【2-1】Opening Hours, Required Time to Visit

【2-1-1】Opening Hours, Holidays

Open 365 days per year unless otherwise indicated.
Opening hours from 9:00 to 18:00 (Last admission at 17:30).

However, “Yumekobo,” which can be accessed from Gate No. 2, is open until 21:00 (Last admission at 20:00).
You can enjoy painting ‘shisa’ and whale shark figurines, and see shell art at the ‘Yumekobo’ area.

【2-1-2】Required Time

Most activities require around 30 minutes-1 hour.

Some activities are short, such as the glass blowing experience (5-10 minutes), or the Ryukyu costume experiences (~15 minutes).
Nevertheless, the required time for each experience depends on the participants’ work speed.

The marine experience takes a relatively long time.

This is because the venue for the experience is the sea outside Murasaki Mura.
These activities require approximately 2-3 hours, and reservations are recommended.

【2-2】Admission, Activity Prices

【2-2-1】Admission

First, an admission fee is required (there is no charge if you only use the restaurant).

Age Categories	Admission
Adult (University students or older)	600 yen
Junior high or high school students	500 yen
Elementary school students	400 yen
Young children	Free

*50 yen discount per person for groups of 20 or more

*Free admission for the guests staying at Hotel Murasaki Mura

【2-2-2】Average Fees for Experience Activities

1,500～2,500円程度のメニューが多くを占めます。
Most activities cost around 1,500-2,500 yen.

Some marine activities such as diving cost above 5,000 yen.
The most expensive activity is the ‘Whale Shark Snorkeling Experience’ at 9,100 yen. The required time is 2.5 hours, and the price reflects the rarity of what you can experience during the tour.

【2-3】Are Reservations Required?

Most activities do not require reservations.
However, some activities require advanced reservations.

-Examples of activities requiring reservations-

Entertainment Experience Menu

• Karate Experience
• Eisa Experience *4 people or more
• Entertainment Viewing Course

Farming, Peace, Interaction Experience Menu

• Sugar Cane Harvesting Experience *4-50 people
• Gateball Interaction Experience *5-20 people
• Ground Golf Experience *5-30 people
• Yomitan Village Guided Tour *10-40 people

Southern Okinawa Food Experience Menu

• Bukubuku Tea Experience
• ‘Yushidofu,’ ‘Okara,’ Soy Milk Production Experience *4-30 people

 

【3】Experience Menu Introduction

【3-1】Memento and Souvenir Producing Experience

You can make traditional crafts and housewares.
Assistance is provided, but the designs and shapes are up to you!
You can join most of the programs without reservations, which is very convenient.

Kankara Sanshin

You can choose either the Making& Playing Experience Course or only the Playing Experience Course(See【4】Kankara Sanshin Production & Playing Experience report)

Hanaui

You can create traditional textiles called ‘Hanaui’ with a handloom.

Ryukyu Glass Blowing Experience

You can create beautiful Ryukyu glass.
You can choose the colors, patterns, and shapes!


It is extremely hot inside the glass factory as the glasses are created at a high temperature!
After blowing the glasses, they are shaped in a high-temperature furnace in no time.
The experience itself is relatively short – 5-10 minutes, but concentration is essential.

Programs Recommended for Easily Producing Beautiful Souvenirs

Bingata Experience

You can experience traditional Okinawan dyed clothing called ‘Bingata.’

Shisa Painting

Oven Clay ‘Shisa’ Making

Shell Art Experience

You can create a one-of-a-kind ‘Shisa’ using a combination of different shells.

Original Lamp and Clocks MakingExperience

Decorate lamps with seashells, sea glass, and blown-glass fragments.

Creating an Aqua Dome

Create an ‘Aqua dome’ (like a snow globe) with a scene from under the sea.

Lampworking Glass

You can create original lampworking glasses and adjust the shape of the glass with heat from a burner.

You can choose to produce a mobile phone strap, bracelet, or necklace.

【3-2】A Fresh Taste of Ryukyu! Cooking Experience

You can cook traditional Okinawan dishes such as ‘chinsuko’ (cookies) and ‘sata andagi’ (donuts).
Kids also enjoy learning from the instructors (please bring an apron).
Personally, we recommend making ‘sata andagi!’
We made hot and fresh sata andagi here, and it was unforgettably delicious.

-Examples of Available Dishes-

• Chinsuko
• Sata Andagi
• Yakuzen tea blend (herbal tea)
• Okinawa Soba
• Goya Champuru
• Pineapple jam

【3-3】Experience the Traditions! Performance Experience

You can experience Okinawan culture with your whole body through dancing and traditional performances.

*Most activities require advanced reservations, or a group to participate.

＜Program Examples＞

• Ryukyu Costume Experience
• Ryukyu Dance
• Traditional Performance Concert
• Kankara Sanshin
• Okinawa Karate (Reservations only, Sundays off)
• Eisa (Reservations only, 4 people or more)

【3-4】Exercise! Sports/Marine Experiences

Interact with local animals in Okinawa, and try Okinawan marine activities.
Many courses are suitable for families or groups.

Okinawan Horseback Riding

Experience at ‘Okinawa Horse Riding Club’ inside Murasaki Mura.
The ‘Horse Walking Experience’ where you can take a walk with a horse, accepts children 3 years and older.
Furthermore, experienced riders can go horseback riding on the beach with the ‘Kijimuna Trekking’ experience. As you can see, there are a wide variety of activities available.

(Holidays on Wednesdays)

Kukuru Circuit

Go-karting course! Elementary students or older allowed. This will probably be thrilling for boys.

Marine Activities at Zanpa Beach

• Introductory Diving
• Snorkeling Experience
• Glass Boat
• Dragon Boat

⇒Operated at Zanpa Beach (10 minutes’ drive from Murasaki Mura).

Blue Cave snorkeling

Our marine instructors will take you to the fantastic grotto.

* A complete guide about the ‘Blue Cave’ is here ⇒
The “Blue Cave” of Okinawa! A complete explanation of the popular marine spot

Swimming with a Whale Shark

• Snorkeling
• Introductory Diving
• Fun Diving

A unique plan where you can swim with a whale shark. Two and a half to three hours are required.

【3-5】Walk, Touch and Learn! Farming and Peace Interactive Experience

Harvest Okinawan local products and take a guided tour in Yomitan Village.

The courses below require reservations and only groups with the minimum number of participants are allowed to participate.

• Harvesting sugar cane *Reservations only, 4-50 people
• Producing brown sugar
• Harvesting ‘beniimo’ (purple sweet potato)

• Gateball *Reservations only, 5-20 people
• Ground Golf *Reservations only, 5-30 people

• Okinawan Dialect Lecture
• Chibichirigama guide (Yomitan Village guide) *Reservations only, 10-40 people

 

【4】Report from Kankara Sanshin Making & Playing Experience

【4-1】What is Kankara Sanshin?

‘Sanshin’ is a traditional Okinawan musical instrument.
‘Kankara Sanshin’ is its simplified version.

It was created at a prison camp after World War II.
The sanshin was made using empty rationed food cans, wooden bed frames, and strings from parachutes.
This musical instrument helped Okinawan people to remember the joy of music during a difficult time and express their feelings and ideas.

【4-2】‘Kankara Sanshin Making’ Outline (Contents, Price, Time)

Although the name of the course is ‘Making,’ you will also receive a lecture on how to play the sanshin after producing it.

The price is 4,350 yen/person including materials.
You can buy a sanshin ‘pick’ (like a guitar pick) separately if you want to play it at home.

The estimated time requirement is around 1 hour.

【4-3】Let’s Begin the Production!

It sounds tough when you hear “create a musical instrument,” but it is actually very easy because everything is prepared beforehand.

The body (made of recycled cans) and the wooden neck of the sanshin are pre-assembled.
First, we begin by setting the strings.
Hang them,

and thread the strings through the peg.

Then, set the bridges to hold the strings.

It’s finished! It takes less than 10 minutes total.

【4-4】Tuning

Next, it’s time to tune the sanshin.
You might find it easy if you have prior experience with string instruments such as guitar.

【4-5】Puzzled by the Sanshin’s Unique Chords

Making a sanshin is simple, but practicing is very hard!

Firstly, the pitch names are probably unfamiliar. There is no ‘do-re-mi-fa-sol,’ or ‘CDEFGAB.’

For example, C = ‘合,’ D = ‘乙,’ E = ‘老,’ etc. The notes are described by a single kanji character.
(To be exact, these are not the pitch names, but instead are the instructions of where to hold the strings)

Furthermore, the sheet music is not notated on a staff like music you have seen before.
Like Chinese classical music, the sheet music is written vertically.
The first time I tried to play, I struggled to make even a single sound, and could not play any melody.

【4-6】Let’s Play an Easy Song

The first practice piece is ‘Kirakira Boshi’ (‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’) with simple melodies.

Although the teacher told me which string to play saying, “Next is “乙,” it was really hard!

It took me 10 minutes and even though I got stuck sometimes, I finally reached the end. I felt a big sense of accomplishment!

【4-7】Let’s Try to Sing and Play

The teacher said, “let’s play and sing” while I was practicing an easy children’s song.

Then my friend who was observing asked,
“Is it difficult to play “Nada Soso?” (a famous Okinawan song).

The teacher said, “that’s easy,” and brought the music score… But it was pretty tough for a beginner like me!

I tried to sing… But I could only focus on playing, and the singing didn’t follow.

Still, I managed to finish a verse.
It was difficult, but I was very happy I could play an Okinawan song!

I wanted to play it at home, so I asked about the maintenance of the Kankara Sanshin. Then, the experience was finished.

I brought my Kankara Sanshin and sheet music back home in a plastic bag.

 

【5】Meals

【5-1】Restaurant Taiki (Buffet style)

You can eat as much ‘tebichi’ (pork legs), ‘taco rice,’ and Okinawa soba as you want at the buffet.

Lunch Buffet

11:00～15:00(Last admission 14:30)

• Adult (Junior high school students or older): \1,080
• Children (Elementary school students): \864
• Young children (3 years or younger): \540

Dinner Buffet

17:00-22:00 (Last admission 21:30)

• Adult (Junior high school students or older): \1,080
• Children (Elementary school students): \864
• Young children (3 years or younger): \540

【5-2】Shikinatei

It operates as ‘Sobadokoro Shikinaeti’ at lunchtime and ‘Ryukyu Bukeyashiki Shikinatei’ at nighttime.

‘Sobadokoro Shikinaeti’ at lunchtime

A cozy restaurant where you can enjoy foods such as Okinawa soba, rice bowl dishes, and shaved ice.
Open every day for lunchtime service (11:00- 18:30 (Last order))

Nighttime Service ‘Ryukyu Bukeyashiki Shikinatei’

Open on Fridays and Saturdays only (18:30-21:00).
Okinawan Kaiseki menus.
There is also entertainment performed from 19:10.

【5-3】 Kukuru Hall

It is a multipurpose banquet hall with a 300-seat capacity.
(Not available for public use)

【5-4】Others

There is also another space where you can have light meals.

 

【6】Accommodation, Bath

 

‘Hotel Murasaki Mura’ is located on site.
This is still a new accommodation, which opened in summer 2010.
It has 39 guest rooms in total.
It is not a large scale resort with pools, but:

• There is a large communal bathing area
• You can spend more time at Murasaki Mura
• You can enjoy its tranquil atmosphere
• Compared to larger resort hotels, this hotel’s compact size allows people to move around easily from their rooms to other amenities in the area.
• All guests receive a free pass to ‘Murasaki Mura’

Etc…, All these things are their own attractions.

There are creative personal touches on the number plates in each guest room.
The designs look like house nameplates, such as ‘No. 109 Shimabukuro Family,’ or ‘No. 303 Yamauchi Family.’

【Summary】

The experiences you had using all five senses will remain in your memory forever.

You will also get to keep the Okinawan accessories you made by yourself as mementos of your trip.

We definitely recommend that you visit ‘Murasaki Mura’ to create fond memories on your trip.