Ryukyu Glass Village

Glass blowing at the village starts with a half-hour introduction to Ryukyu glass, then you sit at a working bench and shape a cup with a glassmaker's own tools while a craftsman guides your hands. The making itself takes about ten minutes, and because the glass has to anneal, the village ships it to you two to seven days later. Book through the site, which opens slots two weeks ahead.

The walk-in tables suit children and rainy afternoons, with sand-and-glass panels and painted shisa that you carry out the same day once they cool. The village sits on Route 331 about 25 minutes by car from Naha Airport and three minutes from the Himeyuri monument. By bus, take the 89 to Itoman and change to the 82 or 108 for the Ryukyu Glass Village stop. Enter the phone number 098-997-4784 or map code 232 336 227 in the car navigation, because a name search can send you to the company's other offices.