Sight guide · Okinawa · Japan
Visiting Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Since 1682, when the royal government gathered potters here, Tsuboya has been Naha's pottery district.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA - Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astron, Public domain
Quick answer
Tsuboya Yachimun Street is a street in Naha (Kokusai-dori), Okinawa. Allow 1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Street
- Area
- Naha (Kokusai-dori)
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- shopping, history, art and free
- Best months
- April and October–November
About Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Since 1682, when the royal government gathered potters here, Tsuboya has been Naha's pottery district. A stone-paved lane of about 400 m is lined with studios and shops selling yachimun (Okinawan pottery), and the Tsuboya Pottery Museum explains the craft.
Tip: Look for the old Arayachi climbing kiln along the lane, and buy shisa figurines direct from the workshops.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Naha (Kokusai-dori), city base on the monorail with Kokusai-dori, the markets and late-night izakaya.
Best time to visit Tsuboya Yachimun Street
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- October: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Okinawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Okinawa itinerary visits Tsuboya Yachimun Street on day 2, together with Shuri Castle, Daiichi Makishi Public Market and Mihama American Village.
- No. 5 of the 18 sights in our Okinawa things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Okinawa.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Okinawa.
Near Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Also in Naha (Kokusai-dori), so you can walk between them:
- Daiichi Makishi Public Market — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
- Kokusai-dori — 2 hours, free
- Shuri Castle — 2 hours, low cost
If you like Tsuboya Yachimun Street
- Okinawa Peace Memorial Park — Nanjo and the south, 2 hours
- Zakimi Castle — Yomitan, 45 minutes
- Mihama American Village — Chatan, 2–3 hours
Staying near Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Stay in Naha (Kokusai-dori) ($$) to walk here: city base on the monorail with Kokusai-dori, the markets and late-night izakaya. All areas to stay in Okinawa.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Tsuboya Yachimun Street?
Plan 1 hour. With Daiichi Makishi Public Market nearby, it fits a half-day in Naha (Kokusai-dori).
+Is Tsuboya Yachimun Street free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Tsuboya Yachimun Street?
April and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Look for the old Arayachi climbing kiln along the lane, and buy shisa figurines direct from the workshops.
+Do I need to book Tsuboya Yachimun Street in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.