The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (commonly known as “Okimyu”) is the largest cultural facility in Okinawa Prefecture, combining a museum and an art museum. The museum introduces a wide range of Okinawa’s nature, culture, and history, and visitors can enjoy viewing artworks mainly related to Okinawa.
It is a wonderful place to experience Okinawan art, as it also hosts projects, events, and concerts. There is also a hands-on class where visitors can learn using a hands-on kit, so children and adults alike can enjoy themselves. There are facilities nearby where you can enjoy shopping such as DFS and Naha Main Place, and it is a 10-minute walk from Omoromachi Station, so it is recommended as a route for sightseeing in Naha and Okinawa.
note the architecture of Okimyu!
Okimyu opened in November 2007. The beauty of the architecture is the main point of interest when visiting Okimyu. They use precast concrete slabs made of a mixture of Ryukyu limestone and white cement. So it was built to suit Okinawa’s climate (sunlight and typhoons).
The architectural concept of the building is “a castle (gusuku) for the 21st century,” and while the exterior has a strong presence, the curves and the structure that allows light and wind to enter are very beautiful. The entrance hall is also made in the motif of Ryukyuan scenery with soft light pouring in and sunlight streaming through the large trees, so please pay attention to it.
Kamekame Kitchen, a healing cafe
There is a museum café, “Kamekame Kitchen,” that you should stop by when you visit Okimyu. Kamekame” is an Okinawan dialect word meaning “kamekame! (Eat, eat!) in Okinawan dialect. The Okinawan aunts often say “Kamekame! (eat it, eat it!). The “Kamekame attack” is an attack experienced by all Okinawans. LOL!
Kamekame Kitchen is a place where Okinawan food is served to as many people as possible. It is a café where you can experience Okinawan art and food while being soothed by Yachimun dishes.
Mui Mui, a goods store where you can feel Okinawan art.
Okimyu also has a museum store called “Yuimui. It is a compact store, but it is a very enjoyable place with many traditional Okinawan crafts and cute Okinawa-inspired sundries. When events or special exhibitions are held, goods related to them are sometimes sold.
I recommend the Bingata letter sets and potty bags as goods that can be easily purchased. You may be able to find souvenirs that show Okinawan art unique to Okimyu. Please check out the store when you visit Okimyu!
