Located in the village of Yomitan, on the west coast of Okinawa, Murasaki Mura is a must-see place for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom. More than just a theme park, it is a true living cultural center where traditional crafts, architectural reconstructions, and spectacular night events come together.
Passing through its large wooden gates, visitors are immediately transported to another era. The buildings with red tile roofs, the stone walls, the traditional lanterns, and the cobblestone alleys give the impression of strolling through a village of the past. This unique environment also served as the setting for a historical TV series in Japan.
Discovering the crafts and culture of Okinawa
Murasaki Mura is above all a place of learning and experience. The site offers more than 100 different workshops to discover Ryukyu crafts. You can make your own clay shisa (the guardian lions typical of Okinawa), try traditional bingata dyeing, blow glass, weave on old looms, or try your hand at pottery.
Each workshop is led by passionate artisans who preserve skills passed down from generation to generation. For families, it is a fun and educational experience; for curious travelers, it is the opportunity to leave with a unique and personalized souvenir.
The site also hosts performances of traditional dance and music, including the sanshin (three-stringed lute) and Eisa shows, a festive dance accompanied by drums. These demonstrations show how Ryukyu culture is still very much alive in the daily life of Okinawan people.
A unique cultural center: crafts and events at Murasaki Mura
Beyond the beauty of the site and its setting recreated in the image of a historic Ryukyu Kingdom village, Murasaki Mura is above all a true cultural center. The site does not just offer a picturesque walk, it brings together in one place a multitude of craft activities that showcase Okinawa’s traditional skills, as well as unique events such as the Lantern Festival or the Ryukyu Yokai. This combination makes Murasaki Mura a vibrant place where heritage, creativity, and entertainment come together to offer visitors a complete and authentic experience.
Daytime activities and workshops at Murasaki Mura:
According to the schedule and upon reservation, Murasaki Mura offers (as mentioned above) a wide range of activities allowing the discovery of the know-how and traditions of Okinawa. Visitors can, for example, take part in the experience of making the sanshin (traditional lute), try indigo dyeing, create handmade candles, or shape their own object during a pottery workshop.
Craft and Creative Workshops for Everyone
Enthusiasts of crafts can also try various traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. Beyond handicrafts, the site also offers unique cultural and sports experiences.
Children are welcome: many hands-on activities are designed for them, with ready-made creation models available to make participation easier.
Each visitor leaves with their own handmade creation, a unique souvenir to keep at home or offer as a gift. It is also possible to purchase works crafted by master artisans. These are naturally more expensive, as they include the artisan’s expertise, technique, and hours of work.
Bingata and Indigo Dyeing:
Bingata
Discover the art of Bingata, a traditional dyeing technique born during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. In just a few minutes, you can personalize a small item such as a coaster or a placemat by applying bright colors and typical patterns of this ancestral method. An ideal experience to take home a unique handcrafted souvenir.
Ryukyu Indigo
Explore Ryukyu indigo dyeing, which highlights deep shades of blue and violet. In about an hour, create a scarf or a bandana with your own original patterns using techniques similar to batik or tie-dye. Each piece is different and reflects the creativity of the person who makes it.
Ryukyu Costume Photo Studio
Put on a traditional Ryukyu kimono and capture your visit with an original photo session. You can choose royal costumes inspired by the king and queen for an even more authentic experience. The photos are developed on site, allowing you to leave immediately with a unique souvenir.
Shisa Making, the Protective Guardians
Plaster Shisa
Learn how to mold plaster to create your own Shisa, the traditional Okinawan guardian often placed at the entrances of homes. This one-hour activity lets you shape a smiling protective figure to take home as a lucky charm.
Clay Shisa Mask
Try your hand at pottery by making a Shisa mask out of clay. Each participant can unleash their imagination and personalize the design, sometimes even giving it familiar features. A creative and fun experience that connects craftsmanship and local legend.
Colorful Clay Shisa
Using colorful modeling clay, create a unique and vibrant Shisa. You can follow a model or freely invent the shape that inspires you. After being fired in the kiln, you can take home an original figurine, both a symbol of protection and a typical Okinawan souvenir.
Decorative Candles in Okinawan Colors
Create a personalized scented candle by decorating a glass with starry sand and small seashells. This fun and creative activity lets you take home a bright and fragrant souvenir that evokes the sea and the unique atmosphere of Okinawa.
Culinary Activities
Making Unrefined Sugar
Discover the traditional process of transforming sugarcane by making your own artisanal brown sugar. The juice extracted from the cane is slowly boiled until it crystallizes, resulting in a product with a rich and authentic taste. You then take home your own sweet creation as a gourmet souvenir.
Sata Andagi: Okinawan Donut
Learn how to prepare sata andagi, Okinawa’s traditional donuts, soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. The workshop takes place in a red-tiled house, where you knead the dough before frying it. You can then enjoy your freshly made treats, a sweet symbol of Okinawan culture.
Chinsuko: Okinawan Cookie
Join a workshop to make chinsuko, the famous shortbread cookies of Okinawa made with flour, sugar, and pork fat. Prepared in a traditional house and baked in a stone oven, these crunchy cookies are a signature specialty of the island. A friendly experience that blends cooking and local culture.
Karate Introduction:
Discover the world of karate right on its birthplace, Okinawa.
In the heart of Murasaki Mura, you can learn the basics of this ancestral martial art with a local instructor.
A traditional uniform can be rented on-site to fully enjoy the experience in an authentic Ryukyu-style setting.
Aqua Dome: A Small Marine World
Create an original aqua dome, the Okinawan version of a snow globe. By choosing your decorative glass elements, you can recreate tropical seabeds or design a miniature scene with shisa. This one-hour activity lets you make a unique souvenir that evokes the Okinawan sea.
Decorated Music Box
Personalize a music box by selecting your melodies and decorating it with seashells and various glass ornaments. The workshop offers plenty of creative freedom, with the option to add as many shells as you like. Each time you play it, you’ll be reminded of the sunny atmosphere of Okinawa.
And also:
- Confection d’un Sanshin (guitare traditionnelles à 3 cordes)
- Motifs japonais imprimés sur textiles
- Poterie traditionnelle d’Okinawa
- Art du coquillage et objets décoratifs
So many activities that transform the visit into a true sensory and participatory journey, ideal for families as well as curious travelers.
Budget
In August 2025, plan for a budget ranging from 1,500 to 5,500 yen or more per activity and per person, depending on the workshop selected.
Prices vary according to the craft: for example, making a plaster figurine is much less expensive than crafting a sanshin (a traditional string instrument).
Park admission is currently set at 1,000 yen, which only includes access to the park itself. Activities offered inside the buildings must be paid directly to the professional artisan, who provides the necessary materials and teaches the crafting techniques.
The Ryukyu Lantern Festival
Every year, from December to March, Murasaki Mura lights up for the Ryukyu Lantern Festival. More than 5,000 colorful lanterns transform the site into a real fairy tale.
As soon as night falls, the alleys and the buildings are adorned with warm and soothing glows. Visitors can stroll through a magical universe, between luminous dragons, traditional scenes, and nature-inspired motifs. The atmosphere is magical, almost unreal, and attracts both local families and travelers from all over the world.
The Lantern Festival is not limited to illuminations! you can also enjoy food stalls offering Okinawan specialties, night shows, and themed activities. For photographers, it is one of the most photogenic moments of the year.
The Ryukyu Yokai: when the spirits come out at night
Another major event organized at Murasaki Mura is the Ryukyu Yokai Festival, usually held in summer.
During this period, visitors discover the singular world of the yōkai of Ryūkyū, supernatural creatures that have populated for centuries the stories and beliefs of Okinawa. Neither gods nor benevolent spirits, these beings with human forms rather embody strangeness, fear, or mischief, reminding of the constant closeness of the invisible world.
During the festival, paper lanterns representing these yōkai illuminate the alleys of the park and bring to life these insular legends. Between shadows and lights, the event immerses the visitor in an atmosphere both festive and disturbing, where the imagination of Ryūkyū reveals itself in all its strength.
This festival attracts many enthusiasts of legends and horrific sensations, but remains accessible to families (Note: during the Ryukyu Yokai Festival, children under 4 or 5 years old may feel scared).
Click to watch the video
Visiting tips
- Hours: Murasaki Mura is open during the day for workshops, and in the evening during festivals.
- Duration: allow at least 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the activities, and more if you wish to attend a night event.
- Access: located about 1 hour by car from Naha, the site is accessible by rental car.
- Audience: families, culture enthusiasts, photographers, as well as travelers looking for an original evening outing.
To see nearby: Cape Zanpa and the Coral Farm
After a visit to Murasaki Mura, it would be a shame to leave without exploring the natural treasures of Yomitan. Two sites in particular are worth a visit:
Cape Zanpa (Zanpa Misaki)
Just a few minutes away by car, Cape Zanpa is one of the most impressive cliffs in Okinawa. This rocky promontory offers a panoramic view of the cobalt blue ocean. Its iconic white lighthouse dominates the coast and can be visited, allowing you to admire the rugged shoreline.
At sunset, Cape Zanpa is a magical place where visitors and photographers gather. For families, a large adjoining park offers space to picnic, play, and discover the giant shisa statue, nearly 9 meters high.
Read the article on Cape Zanpa
Watch the video on Cape Zanpa
The Coral Farm
Another original visit nearby is the Yomitan Coral Farm. Unique of its kind, its mission is to preserve and replant corals damaged by pollution and global warming. Visitors can learn about coral cultivation techniques, understand environmental issues, and even take part in educational activities.
This experience perfectly complements a day between culture and nature: after exploring the historical universe of Murasaki Mura, you become aware of the importance of preserving Okinawa’s natural marine heritage.
Read the article on the Coral Farm
To go further: videos at Murasaki Mura
- Murasaki Mura during the Lantern Festival: a walk in the heart of magical illuminations, between luminous dragons and sparkling alleys.
- Murasaki Mura during the Ryukyu Yokai Festival: a mysterious night experience encountering spirits and legendary creatures.
These videos, available on my Japan Okinawa Daily Life channel, let you experience the unique atmosphere of these events and enrich your travel planning.
Dining, Accommodation, and Activities Near Murasaki Mura
Accommodation and Direct Access to the Park
Murasaki Mura is directly connected to a hotel of the same name, allowing guests to enjoy free and convenient access to the park. This benefit also includes complimentary entry during festivals, whether they take place in the daytime or evening. A valuable advantage for fully experiencing the cultural and festive atmosphere without restrictions.
Shops and Parking
Right across from the site, a large souvenir shop welcomes visitors. Behind it lies a spacious free parking lot, convenient for leaving your vehicle. Depending on the season, especially in summer, the far end of the parking lot is converted into a karting track, offering extra fun for families and young visitors.
Restaurants and Local Crafts
Leaving Murasaki Mura by the road next to the hotel and turning right before the end, you follow the coastline and come across a wide variety of dining options. American-style burgers, all-you-can-eat pizza, and Okinawa’s famous taco rice are among the available choices.
In the same area, artisan shops also offer workshops where you can try pottery or glassblowing for just a few yen. A great way to combine culinary enjoyment with cultural discovery.
Coral Farm and Nirai Beach
Continuing along the coastal road, you will reach the Coral Farm, a site dedicated to preserving the marine ecosystem that I describe in another article.
A little further on, in the parking lot in front of the first hotel, a small discreet staircase leads to the famous Nirai Beach. Known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters, this beach is one of the most popular in the region and a perfect addition to a day spent at Murasaki Mura.
Diving Center
The area around Murasaki Mura also includes a diving center, ideal for underwater exploration enthusiasts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, you can discover Okinawa’s exceptional seabed, renowned for its colorful coral and tropical biodiversity. It’s a great way to extend your experience between culture, beach, and ocean.
Horseback Riding
Near Murasaki Mura, visitors can also enjoy horseback rides along the coast. This activity offers an original and relaxing way to discover Okinawa’s maritime landscapes. Suitable for both beginners and experienced riders, it’s a wonderful opportunity to combine nature, relaxation, and family adventure.
My opinion:
During the festival period, Murasaki Mura fully deserves to be included in your travel calendar. Whether for the Lantern Festival in winter or the Ryukyu Yokai Festival in summer, the site is transformed and reveals a unique atmosphere, different from the daytime visit. These events bring local traditions to life while offering an unforgettable sensory experience, between magical lights and mysterious legends. If you are planning a stay in Okinawa during these times, Murasaki Mura is one of the must-see places to visit, both for cultural authenticity and for the magic of lively evenings.
Combined with the wild beauty of Cape Zanpa and the ecological approach of the Coral Farm, a visit to Murasaki Mura offers a concentrate of what Okinawa has most to offer: traditions, nature, and imagination.
Whether you are passionate about culture, a lover of legends, or simply looking for an original family outing, this reconstructed village will surprise and amaze you.
Video filmed at Murasaki Mura during the Ryukyu Yokai Festival, dedicated to the demons and spirits of Okinawan folklore.
Video filmed at Murasaki Mura during the Lantern Festival, a magical night show in the heart of Okinawa.
(Video published from January 10, 2026)
Official Links and Sources (non-affiliated)
- Murasaki Mura
- Hôtel Murasaki Mura
- Okinawa Horse Riding Club (Horseback riding)
- Murumu-Shi Diving Club
- Glassblowing (open to everyone)
- Coral Farm
- Ocean Pizza
Texts, images and videos © Japan Okinawa Daily Life
Copying, downloading and reuse prohibited without permission
