Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay by Shinjiro Heshiki

Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Fierru Premiu in Ukupi Kamay Competition Category.

FierruUkupi· 2026

Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Shabu Shabu Ryukyu

A' Design Award Fierru Premiu Winner in Ukupi Category

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Colors

The Design

About Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay

Ryukyu Sanctuary nisqaqa huk mikhuna wasi ukhu allichaymi, Naha llaqtapi, Okinawa suyupi, Kokusai-dori hatun ñanpi tarikuq. Hawan uyanqa coral ch'uru hina ruwasqa kachkan, makiwan llimp'isqa coral anqas hinaspa esmeralda llimp'iyuq wanktusqa acero q'aytukunamanta ruwasqa. Punkuta yaykuspa, watukuqkunaqa ch'aqwasqa ñanmanta huk thak kaq mikhuna wasi ukhuman chayamunku. Makiwan llut'asqa perqakunaqa coral rumikunapa llamphunta kutichimunku. Huk stained glass nisqa llimp'isqa qhispi rakiq, 4700 por 1700 milimetro hatun kaq, Okinawapa mama quchanmanta hinaspa allpanmanta unanchakunata apamun. Ryukyu qhispi hinaspa pakasqa k'anchaykunam kay wasi ukhuta hunt'achinku.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Fierru Premiu

Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay A' Design Award Fierru Premiu mishak kan, yupaychay, kayta ruray yachak shinallatak industriapak mañaykunata paktachik alli diseñukunaman kun. Fierru mishak kashkakunaka hatun ruray ushayta, hanak yachayta, yachak yuyayta shinallatak ruray kamachiyta rikuchinku. Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay sinchi yupaychashka, kuyashka shinallatak kuyashka ruray, ruranapak alli shinallatak mushuk yuyaypi kanata munanku. Kay Fierru Premiu japishka diseñuka industriapak ashtawan alli ruraykunata tantachin shinallatak yachaywan shinallatak ushaywan tantashka tekniku ushayta charin. Sinchi ruraymanta Ryukyu Sanctuary Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu Allichay yupaychashka kan shinallatak kawsayta alliyachik ruraykunata kuypak ruray kan, pachata ashtawan alli kachun ruran.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Located on Okinawa's busy Kokusai-dori, the facade's coral shell evokes a reef in emerald green seas, acting as a portal. In Okinawa, coral symbolizes protection and life. This design bridges tradition with modern art via hand-crafted plaster that recreates the tactile texture of reefs. Inside, city noise fades into a serene, underwater dimension. The sanctuary mirrors the mythical Dragon Palace, a space where local heritage, craftsmanship, and hospitality coexist in harmony.
Dimensions & Packaging: Stained-glass: 4700 mm x 1700 mm. Floor area: 154 sqm. Ceiling height: 2800 mm. Structure: Reinforced Concrete. Finishes: Hand-plastered art walls, steel flat-bar art painting, custom Ryukyu glass installations.
Tags: Okinawa Design, Ryukyu Glass, Coral Reef Architecture, Undersea Atmosphere, Ryugu-jo Concept, Handcrafted Plaster Art, Japanese Restaurant, Light and Shadow, Cultural Identity, Authentic Ryukyu Modern
Production Technology: The facade features custom-curved steel bars hand-painted in coral-blue and emerald tones to mimic reef rhythms. Interior walls use hand-plastered textures to recreate the tactile depth of coral formations. A 4700mm x 1700mm glass partition combines stained-glass artistry with traditional motifs. By integrating Ryukyu glass with indirect lighting, the design achieves a balance of materiality and ethereal light, blending local craftsmanship with contemporary spatial art.
Design Challenge: Strict fire codes required smoke exhaust windows on the facade, while local laws prohibited external signage. These constraints were overcome by using the cubic curvature of custom steel bars to mask functional elements, creating a facade that acts as its own landmark. By integrating a banyan tree motif into the play of shadows, the building achieves a distinctive identity that prioritizes artistic expression over conventional commercial branding, harmonizing necessity with creativity.
Research: This project explores the link between Okinawa and the sea, using coral as a vital cultural symbol. Research focused on translating coral's protective qualities into a spatial experience. By using local craft and Ryukyu glass, the design reinterprets natural elements for a modern context. Despite strict fire and signage codes, the project transformed legal constraints into a landmark facade that honors marine heritage and Okinawa's poetic spirit.
Inspiration: Inspired by Ryugu-jo, the mythical undersea palace. This project embodies "Authentic Ryukyu Modern" by blending Okinawan heritage with contemporary luxury. It seeks to recreate the serene beauty of coral reefs submerged in emerald green waters, redefining traditional motifs into a timeless spatial experience that honors the island's natural and cultural roots.
Project Duration: Design planning for the project began in February 2024 in Naha, Okinawa, with construction completed in July 2024.
Operation Flow: The journey begins on vibrant Kokusai-dori Avenue. Passing through the coral shell facade, guests experience a dramatic sensory shift as urban noise is replaced by serene silence. This threshold acts as a portal to another dimension. Inside, the play of light through Ryukyu glass and tactile reef-like walls create an immersive underwater world. This transition from the chaotic city to a tranquil sanctuary allows diners to lose track of time, fully entering the mythical atmosphere of the Dragon Palace.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Conception Co., Ltd., 2025.
Image Credits: Photographer: Masahiro Ishibashi