Chatan Town Uchinaa House

Hidden among the modern cityscape of Chatan Town, Okinawa, stands a home that feels like a step back in time.
This is Uchinaa House, one of the few surviving examples of traditional prewar Okinawan architecture.

With its red-tiled roof, stone walls, and open, breezy design adapted to the island’s climate, Uchinaa House is a beautiful reminder of a way of life that once defined Okinawa’s neighborhoods.
Its presence brings a quiet, nostalgic atmosphere to a town otherwise known for its coastal resorts and contemporary energy.

A Designated Cultural Property Preserving the Past

Uchinaa House is officially recognized as a National Registered Cultural Property due to its historical and architectural value.
It represents a rare example of an intact wooden Okinawan home built before World War II.

The house features signature elements of traditional design, including a red-tiled roof, a “hinpun” (privacy wall) at the entrance, a stone-paved garden, and shaded engawa (veranda) space.
These features showcase the islanders’ ingenuity—designed for airflow, typhoon resistance, and harmonious living with nature.

Exploring Uchinaa House is like entering a living museum of island wisdom and cultural heritage.

Learn, Explore, and Feel the Spirit of Okinawa

Visitors can enter and explore the interior, which is furnished with traditional tools and household items that bring the home’s past to life.
The atmosphere is peaceful, grounding, and evokes the spirit of an Okinawa where time moved more slowly.

Local school programs, cultural tours, and educational exhibits are also hosted here, making it a meaningful space for both locals and travelers to reconnect with Okinawa’s roots.

 

A Quiet Counterpart to the Resort Scene

While Chatan Town is famous for its beaches and entertainment, Uchinaa House offers a completely different side of Okinawa—one that is calm, contemplative, and deeply human.

In this humble, preserved home, you can feel the wisdom of generations, the strength of tradition, and the quiet rhythm of island life.
If you’re seeking an experience that goes beyond sightseeing, Uchinaa House invites you to see, feel, and remember the soul of old Okinawa.