Nakamura House Okinawa
- Published on : 26/01/2013
- by : Japan Experience
- Youtube
Nakamura House is 13 km north east of Naha on the east coast of Okinawa. It is a completely original 18th century Okinawan farmhouse.
Nakamura House Okinawa 中村家住宅
About 13 km north east of Naha on the eastern coast of Okinawa is the fascinating Nakamura House. The building is a completely original 18th century Okinawan farmhouse.
House with shisha standing guardHistory of Nakamura House
The head of the house was once the local village headman. Most noteworthy members of the Nakamura family, who can trace their ancestry back to the 15th century when they were retainers of Lord Gosamaru, still live in parts of the property.
Kamado stove at the houseBuildings
The five buildings are set around a stone courtyard. They include a number of fine, tatami-floored rooms with some exquisite wooden tansu (chests of drawers) and other furniture. Other rooms include the kitchen with upright stones where prayers were said to the fire god and a clay kamado stove. Furthermore, out in the garden area are stone enclosures for pigs, horses and cattle.
Pig styShisa
The house also has a number of excellent clay shisa (the icon of Okinawa) ornaments on the tiled roof and scattered around the property. An attached souvenir shop/ticket office has a collection of Okinawan souvenirs including such typical Okinawan products as shisa, awamori, tins of exotic Spam etc in a pleasant environment to rest and have a cup of tea.
Garden pondThe entrance to the house also includes a traditional Okinawan barrier or hinpun to ward off evil spirits.
Access - Getting to Nakamura House
If you are coming by public transport take Ryukyu bus #21 to Ishihara. Nakamura House is close to Nakagusuku Castle ruins. Nakamura House 106 Oshiro Aza Kitanakagusuku Tel: 098 935 3500 Hours: 9 am-5 pm; Daily Admission: 500 yen
Stone wall enclosing the house
