Best place to buy authentic Shisa in Okinawa!

In Okinawa, the Shisa guardian lion dogs are everywhere and it’s impossible to resist the urge to grab a pair and bring them home. However, most Shisa at souvenir shops are very flashy and tourist-y and are not even locally made. In case you want to buy traditional style Shisa and support local artisans, there is a great accessible shop which sells them exclusively in Yomitan village, Western Okinawa. The place is called Ufudougama Shisa. This shop brings together works from various local craftsmen and can offer Shisa for every budget! The lion dogs are made from clay, ceramics, glass etc. and will be carefully wrapped up for you to remain unscathed after the toughest journey. 📍Address: 1821-2 Namihira, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0322, Japan 🕰️Business Hours: 9 AM–7 PM 🚗 Gertting there: The easiest way to reach the shop by public transport is to take bus 28, which runs between the Naha and Yomitan bus terminals. The nearest bus stop is called Ufudou. The shop is hard to miss from the street with all the Shisa displayed near the entrance, also, there is a Lawson just across the street, so one’s unlikely to get lost. Make sure to dedicate at least a day of your stay in Okinawa to Yomitan, a wonderful haven of authentic craftsmanship and breathtaking sea views. #shisa #shisaspotting #yomitan #okinawa