Tsuboya, the cradle of Okinawan pottery, will host a vibrant event named "Shisa Day" to promote Okinawa’s iconic guardian lion. Held in the heart of Naha, the event invites visitors to get familiar with Shisa through hands-on activities and exhibitions. Potters will demonstrate Shisa-making techniques, while a Shisa stamp rally encourages participants to discover these symbolic figures hidden across Tsuboya’s streets.

Additionally, the public can view a historic climbing kiln and detached building of the Arakaki Family Residence, an important cultural property rarely open to visitors and a must-see for Yachimun pottery enthusiasts.

From Apr. 3rd (Wed) to 21st (Sun), the Tsuboya Pottery Museum’s third-floor special exhibition room will showcase a free “Shisa Exhibition,” displaying works by contemporary artisans. Pieces crafted from pottery, lacquerware, and stone highlight the diversity of Shisa artistry. On the event day, local vendors will offer sales, and visitors can explore nearby attractions like the bustling Naha Makishi Public Market and Ichibasho-dori shopping arcade.

Naha Hyatt Regency Hotel at the entrance to Tsuboya Yachimun Street is the landmark to Okinawa’s Shisa country.

Shisa, the lion-shaped guardians rooted in Okinawan folklore sitting on Okinawan rooftops and by entrances, protect homes from harm. Typically displayed in pairs, the open-mouthed male (right) wards off evil, while the closed-mouthed female (left) traps good fortune. This event celebrates their enduring cultural significance, blending tradition with modern creativity. This a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Okinawa’s heritage!

Minami Kiln (Feenugama)

A cafe next to the Minami Kiln, a Prefectural Cultural Property and the only existing arayachi kiln to make a type of unglazed pottery, on Yachimun Street, has a shop selling unglazed pottery that highlights the most of the texture of the clay.

Date: Apr. 3 (Thu), 2025
Time: 10:00 – 18:00
Place: Tsuboya Yachimun Street, Naha