CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON

Some of you may have heard of Rainbow House. It’s an amazing two-story fabric/craft store. It’s way easy to get to and they have loads of stuff the base craft stores have never carried. The bottom floor is parking. The second floor is filled with fabrics galore, a wide variety I might add, and all the accessories your heart can imagine. My friend found a replacement blade for her rotary cutter and I found more fabric than I needed. Prices are reasonable, but I’m sure you’ll spend more than you intended like I always do. The third floor has more crafty things than I could possibly list, so I’ll only name a few: beads, paint, jewelry, needlepoint, ribbon, yarn, etc. I really could go on an on but then I wouldn’t have room in my post for the pictures. Unfortunately, I wasn’t coherent enough to take pictures of the inside, I was too hypnotized by the fabrics to think ahead. However, here are the directions for those who are interested in venturing out. PS, I found these directions on someone’s personal website, Dwayne and Karoline. So if you’re reading this Dwayne or Karoline, thanks!

Address: 3 Chome-33 Shurisueyoshicho, Nah

Google Maps Coordinates: 26.2328444, 127.70546439999998

Directions:

Okinawa Expressway to Nishihara (this is the first Nishihara exit) (300 yen from Kadena) at exit turn left (south) on 330. The road will go through a tunnel. After the tunnel it is a few kilometers until the next traffic light. You will know that you are getting close when you see a large building with the red letters OCC on the top. After the trafic light you will see the signs for the exit to Rt. 82. Right before the off-ramp is a tiny sidestreet. Turn left there and turn immediatly right (maybe a cars length). This little road will go pretty steep down hill towards a parking lot with a 5 story pink building on it. That is the Rainbow House. (If you see the Monorail you have gone too far)

From Foster on 330: Exit Foster at the PX or Shopette gate and follow 330. Make sure to make the right turn after the Futenma shrine. There are lots of light on this route. Eventually there will not be any traffic light and you will go throught two tunnels. After the second tunnel it is a few kilometers until the next traffic light. You will know that you are getting close when you see a large building with the red letters OCC on the top. After the trafic light you will see the signs for the exit to Rt. 82. Right before the off-ramp is a tiny sidestreet. Turn left there and turn immediatly right (maybe a cars length). This little road will go pretty steep down hill towards a parking lot with a 5 story pink building on it. That is the Rainbow House. (If you see the Monorail you have gone too far)

From Foster on 58: Go south towards Naha on Rt. 58. Go over the first overpass. Go past Kinser. Do not go over the second overpass! Take that exit. After you get off Rt. 58 go to the second traffic light (Aja  intersection) and turn left on Rt 82. (Rt. 82 is right before the Monorail) Stay on Rt. 82 in the left lane. Turn on Rt. 330 north. You will have to make a U-turn at the first light.  Go back towards Rt. 82. You will see the signs for the exit to Rt. 82. Right before the off-ramp is a tiny sidestreet. Turn left there and turn immediatly right (maybe a cars length). This little road will go pretty steep down hill towards a parking lot with a 5 story pink building on it. That is the Rainbow House. (If you see the Monorail you have gone too far)

Here is what the turn looks like right before the off ramp to 82 (you can see the store in the bottom center):Img_0820

Here is the store from right when you turn on the road:

Img_0821_2

There is a storewide sale every fourth week of the month from Thu through Sun. Their hours are from 10 am to 7 pm, every day, including Sat & Sun. Happy Crafting!

33 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for the directions. I misread them from Foster on 58 and turned right (Rt.) onto 330, did the uturn and then realized there was a mistake so went back to 82 and did the other. You also can travel south on 58 and turn left onto 34 then right onto 330 to then continue past the OCC and your little street. Today they were having a great sale so it was good timing for me to make a first visit.

  2. Just went there today and had a great time! The instructions are slightly off though. If you go 330 and turn right out of the PX gate, it is a LEFT just past the Futenma Shrine. I tried a right and got very lost on some very small roads. 🙂 Everything else is correct though!

  6. FYI: From the hiragana over the door, it looks like the name of this “Rainbow House” is officially “Nijinoie”. It also calls itself a “Hand Craft Shop.”

    Went this weekend — and since it happens to be the fourth weekend of February, they are having their monthly sale! Simone (a few comments back) is correct that the shop carries mostly sewing and knitting/crochet materials, but they also have lots of supplies for beading, as well as some other crafts. The second floor is devoted to sewing, the third has beads and yarn (including a decent selection of organic cotton), while the fourth and fifth floors are where the bigger fabrics and sale materials are.

  9. This is great! Im trying to find fabric stores here.
    Where is Sanzo’s? And where can I find patterns? For clothing, not crafts?
    I just came from house of 66 cents, and their selection was minimal for patterns. Great for fabric though!

  11. Well I would definitely recommend Rainbow house for those that quilt, sew, or crochet. However for those of us that don’t do those things, like myself, please don’t look for this to be your Japanese version of Michaels. I went to look for wicker baskets considering it was said to be 5 stories of arts and crafts I figured that would be a great place to go. Imagine my shock when I did not see baskets or much of anything else relating to other areas of arts and crafts besides sewing and knitting. Again arts and crafts is a very broad topic so I’m just narrowing that down so no one else gets majorly disappointed as I did.

  12. Kristin, I’m sorry you didn’t find the place. It’s not really a right turn at the shrine, it’s more of a veer to the right. If you notice on that road, if you stay in the left lane, then you’ll go left onto another road. This “fork” in the road is near the shrine, which is why I say, stay right. I hope this helps you and that you get a chance to venture out and find the place a next time. Good luck!

  15. This may seem like a silly question, but we’re still kind of new here! If I follow the directions from the Foster PX gate, do I need to turn left or right out of the gate? I have no idea where or what the Futenma shrine is so that didn’t really give me any hints! Thanks so much!

  18. Carrie, thanks for the info. FYI, I have often asked the people who work at Schilling as well as the Foster Personal Services Center to help with translations. Schilling has called several places for me to help with translation (such as making reservations, etc.). This might help! Thanks again for the numbers and info.

  19. Ok, I didn’t go to the shop outside gate 2 down 330. But, I did ask at the fabric store, Sanzo’s. They gave me a business card with these numbers: 893-7007 and 090-8626-6820. I called and a man answered. We tried very hard to communicate, but he only spoke japanese. And I don’t know anyone who speaks japanese. So, If anyone can find out anything please let me know. Thanks!!!

  22. Hi Carrie, I’m sorry, but I do not know of any place that repairs sewing machines! I wish I did, though, because mine keeps breaking down, which makes my quilting very difficult! I’m actually in the market for a new one! It would be good to hear from some other reader, though, who knows of any sewing machine repair shops/places! Sorry I couldn’t help more.

  29. Rhonda, thanks for the info on what else is in that store. I am so glad you liked it (and found it). Thanks for the help on directions, too. I appreciate any way we can make it easier for others to find this gem!

  30. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! My daughter and her friend and I just went to the Rainbow house – what an awesome place to shop for craft supplies – I even found my beloved mini Kewpie dolls – temari ball accessories – yarn, books, beads – you name it they have it – the only thing I would like to add is that they do NOT take credit cards – so be sure to take lots of cash – yen or dollars!!! Thank you SO much for this – we only got lost a little bit, and that’s because I ALWAYS get lost a little bit – your instructions are spot on! I would recommend going from the 330 rather than the 58 though – it’s kinda hard to pull a U-ey there!!!

  31. This is exciting! Along these lines, does anyone know of a sewing machine repair place that speaks enough english I can communicate what’s wrong? The problem looks simple enough (stitch width regulator slide is bent) but it involves taking apart a good part of my machine. Any help is appreciated!