Okinawa Ideal for souvenirs! Handcraft cute Sesars and bring back the best memories!

Okinawa Prefecture is a land that becomes popular as the number of tourists increases as summer approaches. Okinawa has its own culture and customs, beautiful scenery and beautiful sea, and a relaxing atmosphere with calm time. Okinawa, which has various elements, has never diminished in popularity.

If you travel to Okinawa with all your might, everyone will have the experience of wanting to bring back some memorable items or give souvenirs to friends and family. However, for travelers who like Okinawa who have visited many times, souvenirs can be a source of trouble. There is no trick to bring back the same items for sale every time, and even if you think of something with originality, it's hard to think of it right away.

Therefore, this time we recommend a plan that anyone can easily experience making an original Shisa. I will introduce the details below.

Shisa is a legendary beast statue that is often seen in Okinawa. By installing it on the gates and roofs of buildings, on the hills of villages, etc., it has the meaning of amulets to ward off evil spirits that cause disasters to houses, people, and villages. It is often installed on the roof, but recently, hotels and souvenir shops with Shisa at the entrance are often seen. In other words, Shisa is the best substitute that everyone recognizes as an "Okinawa souvenir", and by making it by hand, you can experience the culture and customs.

Let me introduce "Sesokojima Maimai Kobo" that attends the handmade Shisa.

There is a large white bridge "Sesoko Ohashi" that spans the beautiful sea near the famous classic spot "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium" in Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa. After crossing the bridge, you will see a beautiful remote island made of coral, Sesoko Island. There is a village in the center of the island, where "Sesokojima Maimai Kobo" is quietly open. It also has cold drinks, Okinawan zenzai, and traditional sweets, so it's a workshop loved by the locals, where grandmothers and grandfathers on the island stop by to take a break. The surrounding area is very quiet and you can communicate with the local people in a peaceful and comfortable environment. You may have an experience here that you will not encounter on a trip that relies on a guidebook.

Next, I will explain how to make a shisa that you can experience in a charming workshop with a perfect place and atmosphere, including how to do it.

At "Sesokojima Maimai Kobo", Shisa with various shapes that have been unglazed are prepared. You can add your own original coloring to it. By choosing the color yourself, you can make it a Shisa that you have never seen, or you can imitate the traditional Shisa shades. You are free to choose. In addition, you can choose items from many accessories and combine them with Shisa. In this way, your own original Shisa will be completed. It's all up to you to make the finish look cute or look like you. It's no exaggeration to say that this is an Okinawan souvenir that is attached and valuable, as it deepens my feelings for the Shisa that I made with my own customization.

By the way, some photos are available on the SNS account of "Sesokojima Maimai Kobo". If you are interested in what kind of Shisa you can make, search for it and refer to it.
・ Instagram: 49mymy
・ Twitter: @ 49mymysisa

It only takes 20 minutes from the prepared unglazed to the completion of the original Shisa. You can take the Shisa you made as a souvenir. It doesn't take a long time to work, and the address is easily accessible from Churaumi Aquarium, so it shouldn't be a bad idea to incorporate it into your travel course. How about using "Sesokojima Maimai Kobo" together with Churaumi Aquarium?


It's a digression from here ...
There is a plan that allows you to experience everything from soil to unglazed instead of the prepared Shisa. It will take longer, so if you wish, please consult with the workshop.

※Precautions
・ Regarding reservations: Until 10:59 am on the day (* Required until the day before for half-day courses)
・ Regarding business hours: You cannot come to the store after 17:00
・ Parking lot: There is a parking space for 3-4 cars near the workshop.
・ Regarding payment: Same-day payment or credit card OK