Traditional Okinawan Houses: No.1
Okinawa has a subtropical climate—hot, humid, and often visited by typhoons.
Traditional houses were built with heat resistance and wind protection in mind.
In Okinawa, there is a deep-rooted belief in the spirits of wind, water, and fire—often expressed through ideas such as “Fūsui” (feng shui) and “Kasō” (house divination).
Old Okinawan homes were full of wisdom, designed to welcome natural breezes and sunlight in harmony with the climate.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at these traditional Okinawan houses.
Features of Traditional Okinawan Houses
In traditional Okinawa, what was valued even more than the floor plan of the house itself was the shape of the land, its topography, and the arrangement of buildings and gardens within the site.
Generally, land where “the north is higher and the south is lower” was considered favorable (though interpretations vary by region), and the principles of feng shui were incorporated to regulate the flow of energy.
It may have been believed that by drawing the flow of energy into the site and deciding how to retain it, people could find a sense of security in daily life and perhaps achieve prosperity.
Layout Plan
The typical layout of a traditional Okinawan house placed the entrance to the property on the south side, facing the road. The main house featured large openings on its southern side, while the entire site was enclosed by groves of trees or stone walls to protect against typhoons.
Upon entering the grounds, one would find the hinpun (a protective wall), the main house, the front house, a well, a garden, and the furu (outhouse). The southern part of the site was kept open and spacious, inviting wind and light into the dwelling. Ordinary homes usually had no gate; instead, the hinpun blocked direct views from outside. Entering from the right side of the hinpun led toward the guest reception room (ichibanza), serving as the entrance for visitors, while entering from the left led to the kitchen area, used as the family’s entrance.
The hinpun was thought to serve not only as a screen, but also as protection against strong winds, a gentle transition between outside and inside, and perhaps even as a charm to ward off evil spirits.
※図は沖縄県土木建築部住宅課「風土に根ざした家づくり手引書」より
(*Figure from “Guidelines for House Construction Rooted in Local Climate”, Housing Division, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Okinawa Prefecture*)
Cross Section
The roof was built in a hipped style, covered with either thatch or tiles.
A major feature of Okinawan houses is the amajari (雨端 / amahaji).
This refers to the long, low eaves that extend outward, designed to prevent heavy rain from entering the interior and to block the strong summer sunlight from reaching deep into the rooms.
In traditional houses, there was no formal entrance; instead, people entered directly from the amahaji into the living space.
The amahaji also served as a space for receiving guests, creating an open area that connected the interior with the garden.
The floors were raised to allow good ventilation underneath the house.
In addition, the attic space was made large, reducing heat inside the rooms.
In Okinawa, there are two types of roof tiles: aka-gawara (red clay tiles) and cement tiles made from concrete.
Red clay tiles have existed since the early 18th century, but until 1889 their use in private houses was prohibited. Even after the ban was lifted, red tiles were expensive, so thatched roofs remained common among ordinary households.
During the war, however, thatched roofs were prohibited in Japan, and cement tiles—cheaper than red tiles and stronger against typhoons—gradually became more widespread.
It is said that cement tiles were introduced from Taiwan in the early Shōwa period, and after the war they spread as “reconstruction tiles.” By 1960, as many as 28 cement tile factories were in operation.
Eventually, however, reinforced concrete houses became the standard, and today not a single cement tile factory remains.
Okinawa Stories
Seaside nostalgic and modern a vacation house
Nanjō City Tourism Portal Site
Okinawa Travel Guide
Stay in a renovated
traditional Okinawan house.
