Let's enjoy Shisa making experience in Ishigaki Island! Introducing popular stores and various experience menus that you can take home on the same day!

Let's enjoy Shisa making experience in Ishigaki Island!

Have you ever heard of Shisa?

Shisa is an ancient guardian deity in Okinawa, with a mysterious appearance that looks a bit like a lion.

Shisa" is a Ryukyuan dialectal word for "lion," and in the cultural sphere of the Yaeyama Islands, where Ishigaki Island is located, it is sometimes referred to as Shishii.

They are often displayed in private homes in Okinawa to ward off evil spirits and serve as guardian deities, and are also frequently deformed and treated as mascot characters in Okinawa.

You are likely to see adorable Shisa goods when you visit airports and other places.

In this issue, we will introduce the Shisa making experience that you can enjoy in Ishigaki Island.

 

Why is the Shisa making experience popular in Ishigaki Island?

In the Shisa-making experience, clay and plaster are the main materials used to make Shisa dolls.

The difficulty level of creation is low, and it is easy to make a charming Shisa.

The shisa you made yourself will be loved and will surely become a good souvenir.

 

Enjoyable for both children and adults.

There is no age limit for shisa making.

Therefore, it can be enjoyed by children as well as adults.

If you visit with your family and try your hand at shisa making, you will surely create good memories of your trip.

The shisa-making experience is unique in that many children participate as part of their free research during summer vacation.

 

Fun even on rainy days

Another nice point is that the shisa-making experience is an activity that can be enjoyed indoors.

Many people mainly enjoy sightseeing and activities in the ocean and nature on their trip to Ishigaki Island, but if it suddenly rains, it is difficult to enjoy outdoor sightseeing.

Shisa making is a great indoor activity to enjoy during inclement weather.

 

Memories take shape.

Shisa made of plaster can be taken home as a neat memento.

Every time you look at the adorable figure you created, it will remind you of your fun trip to Ishigaki Island.

Of course, even though they are handmade, they are sure to ward off evil and protect you, so if you keep them in your home, they may bring you good luck.

 

Same-day take-out plan available.

The shisa-making experience is basically a process where the finished product is sent to you at a later date.

However, plans are also available to take home on the same day if desired.

While it is fun to receive them by time, you will feel even more attached to them if you bring them home in person.

 

Recommended for

Let us introduce you to the kind of people for whom the Shisa-making experience is suitable for travel.

We will give specific examples, so please refer to them if they apply to you.

 

family

The shisa-making experience is perfect for family trips.

This is an experience for all ages, and can be experienced even when traveling with children.

It is also a good travel plan with elderly family members, as it can be enjoyed indoors and is not too strenuous.

 

couple

Couples visiting together will surely enjoy the shisa-making experience!

A plan that allows couples to freely enjoy coloring and painting is also available, so it might be interesting for couples to try matching designs and colors.

 

comrades

And even if you are visiting with friends, the shisa-making experience will be a great memory.
If each person makes a shisa with his or her own design, they will be able to compare the results of each shisa and get excited about it.

 

Those who are unable to participate in activities due to inclement weather

The key to enjoying your trip to Ishigaki Island without fail is to have a plan in place for bad weather.

Ishigaki Island is prone to typhoons at certain times of the year, so it is best to have plenty of indoor sightseeing ideas ready.

Making shisa, a simple yet deeply enjoyable way to experience local culture, is an experience so enjoyable that it can be the main content of your trip to Ishigaki Island.

 

Popular stores where you can enjoy Shisa making experience in Ishigaki Island.

Now, we would like to introduce a store where you can enjoy Shisa making experience in Ishigaki Island.

All of them are very popular and have a rich lineup of features, so let's check them out in order!

 

Three little birds

Three little birds is located near Euglena Mall in Ishigaki City, Ishigaki Island.

This workshop is popular not only for making shisa, but also for participating in handmade experiences such as making gel candles and herb balls.

 

Features of the store and menus to experience

At Three little birds, you can enjoy the flexibility of making your own shisa, whether you want to do only unglazed, painted, or a full course, depending on how long it takes.

If you choose to make the shape of the Shisa yourself, either unglazed or full-course, you will be able to create a beautiful and unique Shisa because you and the staff will work together to create the base of the body and mouth, and then you are free to make the face as you wish.

 

Basic Information

Three little birds is open from 10:00 to 17:00 and is closed on Thursdays, but may be closed on other days.

You can take it home on the same day. For a full course, the cost is 3,740 yen for an S size and 4,400 yen for an M size.

Credit cards accepted are VISA, JCB, Master Card, AMEX, Diners Club, and DISCOVER.

It is located approximately 30 minutes by car from Nannujima Ishigaki Airport and a 7-minute walk from the remote island terminal, and keep in mind that there is no parking available.

 

Yonekoyaki-Kobo

The Yonago Ware Studio, which we will introduce next, is located right in front of Yonehara Beach, a popular tourist spot.

The store specializes in the manufacture and sale of original shisa, and is unique in that visitors can enjoy an authentic shisa-making tour.

 

Features of the store and menus to experience

An interesting point is the colorful shisa lined up inside and outside the Yonago Yaki Kobo store, and a giant shisa measuring a whopping 2 to 3 meters is on display in the store's garden.

Although there is no handcrafting experience here, visitors are free to observe the craftspeople making the shisa that will actually be sold.

 

Basic Information

Yonago Ware Studio is open from 9:00 to 17:45, all year round.

Shisa can be purchased starting at about 1,300 yen each, and VISA, Master Card, and Diners Club credit cards are accepted.

It is a 30-minute drive from the city center and the airport, and parking is available for 15 cars.

 

 Kabira-yaki Butohi

Kabira-yaki Rinka is located near Kabira Bay, one of the most popular scenic spots in Ishigaki Island.

The fact that it can be visited while sightseeing in Kabira Bay is a very welcome point.

 

Features of the store and menus to experience

Using natural clay from Ishigaki Island, this store can make original Shisa from various types such as 3D Shisa, mini pair Shisa, and wall-hanging Shisa.

The staff will carefully support you until completion, so even first-timers and children can make beautiful shisa with ease.

 

Basic Information

Kabira-yaki Butohi is open from 9:00 to 17:00 and closed on non-scheduled holidays.

After completion, the product will be shipped two months later.

The budget ranges from 2,800 yen to 4,000 yen depending on the type, and credit cards accepted are VISA, JCB, Master Card, AMEX, Diners Club, and DISCOVER.

Access is about 20 minutes by car from Ishigaki Port.

Seven parking spaces are available, making it easy to visit by rental car.

 

Experience Studio Coral Blue

Experience Studio Coral Blue is a store where you can experience a variety of Okinawan culture dating back to the Ryukyu Dynasty.

It is popular not only for the shisa-making experience, but also for the opportunity to enjoy commemorative photos wearing traditional Ryukyuan costumes and making lamps out of coral.

 

Features of the store and menus to experience

At this store, visitors can try their hand at painting seersucker from a small size, and the prices are relatively reasonable.

A wide variety of colors and shapes are available, so you can freely experience making your own shisa in your favorite design.

 

Basic Information

The Experience Studio Coral Blue is open from 9:00 to 18:00, all year round.

Shisa making is a painting experience and does not involve firing, so you can take the shisa home with you on the same day.

The price for the painting experience starts at 1,100 yen for a small size.

Payment is accepted in cash only.

Access is a 5-minute walk from Ishigaki Port Terminal, and the public market and Ishigaki City Hall are a 2-minute walk away.

 

house that rents rooms to couples either overnight or for two hours' "rest

If you want to try one of the most authentic Shisa making experiences in Ishigaki Island, we recommend Kaeruya, which we will introduce next.

Its location near the center of the city makes it easy to visit, and if you call in advance, you can experience it until late at night.

 

Features of the store and menus to experience

The main feature of the shisa-making experience at this store is that the entire process from one to completion is done using island clay.

You can create a shisa in any shape you wish, as your creativity dictates, and you will surely develop a deeper attachment to it!

 

Basic Information

Kaeruya is open from 9:00 to 18:00, but can be reached after 20:00 if you make a reservation in advance.

Since the restaurant is closed on irregular holidays, it is recommended to confirm the opening in advance.

The budget starts at 2,800 yen and access is a 3-minute walk from the 730 intersection in the city.

There is only one free parking space available, and if it is full, visitors are required to use the shared parking lot for a fee.

 

Handmade Experience Workshop Yuntaku

Lastly, we would like to introduce you to Yuntaku, a handmade experience studio where you can enjoy a variety of unique handmade experiences.

In addition to the Shisa-making experience, the museum is popular for its candle-making and photo-frame making, as well as the experience of making original raayu (Chinese chili oil).

 

Features of the store and menus to experience

The shisa making experience at this store is a painting experience, where you can create your own original shisa using easy-to-use acrylic paints.

The colorful colors of the design will make the most of your imagination to create a strong looking seersucker or a cute seersucker, and it will be the best memory of your trip.

 

Basic Information

Yuntaku's handmade experience workshop is open from 10:00 to sunset, and is not closed on regular holidays.

For the painting experience, it is possible to take home the items on the same day.

The budget starts at 2,500 yen per body, and credit cards are accepted.

The address is 170 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City, which is in the city center, making it easily accessible, and there are three parking lots available.

 

Recommended manufacturing experiences to enjoy in Ishigaki Island

So far, we have seen the Shisa making experience in Ishigaki Island, but you can also enjoy various other manufacturing experiences in Ishigaki Island.

We have picked out three particularly popular handmade experiences below, so let's check them out in detail!

 

Bracelet making experience

One of the most popular handmade experiences is making accessories that can also be used for practical purposes.

In the bracelet-making experience, you can create a bracelet of your choice using natural stones and various other parts, and choose between a chain or wire type.

It is not difficult to make because all you have to do is arrange the stones, and children as well as adults can try it.

Why don't you wear your memories of Ishigaki Island in the form of a bracelet?

 

Necklace and pendant making experience

Making necklaces and pendants is one of the most popular experiences.

Accessories made of Okinawan minsa-patterned stones have a unique beauty and will make impressive ornaments.

As with bracelet making, this one is not too difficult, so you can try your hand at making it with ease.

If you wear a handmade necklace or pendant, you will be able to enjoy Ishigaki Island sightseeing more deeply.

 

Piercing and earring making experience

We are pleased to introduce another type of handmade accessory making experience, earring and earring making.

Here, too, you can create accessories by combining your favorite natural stones and various parts to complete earrings and pierced earrings.

Earrings and earrings are easy to wear casually and are very practical.

Why not make your own accessories using beautiful stones such as turquoise, hematite, onyx, jade, aragonite, amazonite, shell pearl, and rose quartz?

 

summary

In this issue, we have introduced information on various handmade experiences such as shisa making that you can enjoy in Ishigaki Island.

Ishigaki Island tends to attract attention for its outdoor activities, but you can also experience the culture through shisa making.

We hope this article will be of help to make your trip to Ishigaki Island more fulfilling.