Naha, located in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, the Okinawa Island, is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. In the feudal period, Naha is the commercial and administration center of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and today it is the political, economical and educational center. Americans invasion during the Battle of Okinawa has more or less fused into the rich heritage Okinawa. During the years of US administration for 27 years, the people were in constant contact with another foreign culture and that makes Okinawa’s culture distinctively diversified. Okinawans formed close relations with Asia and the Pacific region, and so provided a wealth of cultural influences.

Okinawa's temperate climate and unique history gave rise to traditional arts and crafts of superb quality in various parts of the prefecture. Thus, in April 1993, the Naha City Arts and Crafts Museum opened its door to showcase the arts and crafts of Naha such as Tsuboya pottery, Ryūkyū lacquerware, Shuri fabrics, Bingata, Ryūkyū Glass and some national living treasures. The museum features standing exhibits ranging from sea-associated life-style and traditions, Ryūkyū Kingdom, outdoor display, post and pre war to the modern Okinawa. Various hands-on activities and exhibits are available in the touch-and-experience room for visitors to pick up and handle, reflect on and study. To those who wish to delve deeper into certain general exhibitions, one may find sub exhibition interesting. Five sub-exhibition rooms categorized under natural history, archeology, arts and craft, history and folk customs are arranged around the main general exhibition area. There is also a museum shop and demonstration studios where video monitors are put in the special exhibit rooms to narrate the production techniques. The standing exhibit hall displays works from studios of currently active artisans and others, and these are available for purchase. In the demonstration studios, visitors can observe the actual making of Ryūkyū Glass, pottery, fabric, Bingata and lacquerware. For a nominal, one can experience among others such as pottery and glass making. In several times a year, special and planned exhibit will be held to show results of research on artifacts and objects not only from Okinawa but around Japan and abroad. With the theme “look • touch • experience Ryūkyū” visitors are guaranteed to shelve memories that can only be gained in Okinawa.