Ryukyu Glass Village
Okinawa’s largest handmade glass workshop in the southernmost part of the main island.
Ryukyu Glass Village is the largest handmade glass workshop in Okinawa, located in Itoman City at the southern tip of the main island. Inside the village you can watch artisans work at 1,300°C kilns, join hands-on glassmaking workshops, enjoy shopping for colorful glassware and gifts, and relax at cafes and galleries. It is a glass-themed park that can be enjoyed all day long, even on rainy days, while learning about the history and future of Ryukyu glass.
PROFILE About the Company / Workshop
After World War II, craftspeople in Okinawa began melting discarded bottles from the U.S. military to make tableware. Mixing different colored glass created the vivid tones that are now characteristic of Ryukyu glass. Over time, this humble recycling practice evolved into a beloved local craft.
Founded in the 1980s as a cooperative workshop, Ryukyu Glass Village has grown into a comprehensive facility operated by RGC Co., Ltd., combining workshops, galleries, shops and hands-on experiences. Today, certified master artisans continue to explore new expressions while preserving the warmth and uniqueness of handmade glass.
In recent years, the village has also focused on sustainability and global collaboration, including recycled-glass projects and partnerships with overseas workshops. Visitors can not only enjoy making and using glassware, but also learn about the culture, history and future of Ryukyu glass from a broader perspective.
The largest handmade glass studio in Okinawa
Ryukyu Glass Village is the largest handmade glass studio in Okinawa. In the hot workshop, where furnaces reach about 1,300°C, skilled artisans create colorful glasses, plates and art pieces one by one by hand. Visitors can watch the dynamic making process up close and feel the energy of molten glass.
Hands-on workshops for all ages
From classic glass blowing experiences to gel glass, photo frames, accessories and Shisa painting, the village offers a wide variety of workshops that adults and children can enjoy together. Most activities are held indoors or under covered areas, making it easy to include in your itinerary regardless of the weather.
Perfect for gifts, souvenirs and corporate items
You will find a wide range of Ryukyu glassware such as tumblers, rock glasses, plates and interior items, as well as catalog gifts and birthday glasses with name engraving. For corporate customers, the village can also produce original commemorative items and novelties for hotels, restaurants, weddings and events.
Sustainable craft rooted in recycling
Ryukyu glass originated from recycling empty bottles after World War II, when materials were scarce in Okinawa. That spirit of reuse continues today, with projects such as upcycling car window glass into new products. The village is committed to passing on both traditional techniques and a sustainable mindset to the next generation.