21 Shopping Spots in Okinawa – Enjoy Shopping Too!

Introducing 21 shopping spots in Okinawa! Okinawa is surrounded by emerald green seas and rich nature, and is home to many wonderful tourist spots, making it a popular tourist destination that everyone dreams of. Enjoying marine sports and touring tourist spots is one of the best parts of traveling to Okinawa, but shopping is also a major part of the fun.

Okinawa is full of unique shops, from roadside stations where you can buy fresh fruit directly from the farm, to large shopping malls, and markets selling unique products that are a little different from those on the mainland. This article is a must-read for those who want to enjoy shopping in Okinawa! Let's take a look at 21 shopping spots with a wide variety of options!

1. Plaza House Shopping Center

Plaza House Shopping Center, located in Kubota, Okinawa City, was the first shopping center in Japan, opened in 1954. It opened on July 4th, which is America's Independence Day. When it first opened, it was a store exclusively for Americans, but was later opened to the general public. At one time it was also used as a duty-free shop.

The building is three stories tall, and is lined with fashion goods stores, import goods stores, jewelry shops, fast food restaurants, restaurants, grocery stores, and more. There are also fashion stores for children, so it's recommended for families. The store is very spacious and full of exotic atmosphere. It is a popular shopping spot that is frequented not only by locals but also by tourists.

2. Chanpuru Market

"Chanpuru Market" is a direct sales store in Okinawa City, and is one of the largest JA direct sales stores. It sells a wide variety of ingredients, including vegetables and fruits grown by local farmers, rice, miso, homemade side dishes, Okinawa's unique seasonings, and dried foods. There is a wide variety of ingredients on display, so it's fun just to look around. If you want to buy a lot of souvenirs, you can have them shipped.

There are also many fresh flowers, and you can purchase colorful flowers at reasonable prices. The 19th of each month is "Food Education Day," and events such as tastings of seasonal vegetables and fruits and distribution of recipes are held. The store is equipped with barrier-free toilets, so families with elderly people can shop with peace of mind.

3. Toyosaki Roadside Station

"Toyosaki Roadside Station" in Tomigusuku City is the first roadside station built in the southern part of the main island and is the southernmost roadside station in Japan. It is easily accessible, about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport. In addition to being able to buy fresh island vegetables and fruits delivered directly from local farmers at direct sales prices, there are also sweets and crafts made from freshly picked fruits.

Tomigusuku City is known as the "Mango Village" for its thriving mango cultivation and high quality mangoes. That's why it's popular with people who want to buy not only mangoes but also tropical fruits as souvenirs. After shopping, why not take a break and try some Okinawan cuisine or local delicacies? You can get tourist information at the information station attached to the station.

4. Naha City Traditional Crafts Museum

The Naha City Traditional Crafts Museum, where you can experience traditional Ryukyu culture, is a facility located inside Tenburu Naha on Kokusai Street. There is a special exhibition of traditional crafts from Naha City, as well as a variety of masterpieces, including historical works. There is also a video system that explains the production process, so you can learn about the culture of traditional Ryukyu crafts in detail.

The experience workshop offers a variety of experience programs, including Ryukyu Bingata, Shuri Ori, Ryukyu glass, Ryukyu lacquerware, and Shisa making. Be sure to try out the ones that interest you. In addition, the store sells many works by active top craftsmen. There is a wide selection of items, from vases and tea bowls to glasses, bottles, table centers, and coasters, making them perfect for souvenirs.

5. Kugani Market

Kugani Market is a farmers market that opened in Haebaru Town in 2015. It has a wide selection of vegetables and fruits produced in Haebaru Town, and you can purchase them at reasonable prices. There are also delicious recipes and a tasting corner.

We especially recommend pumpkins, star fruit, strelitzia, wax gourd, loofah, and dragon fruit, which are Haebaru Town specialties. Star fruit is a cute star-shaped fruit that is highly nutritious, containing vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Purchased ingredients can be shipped nationwide, so try cooking at home using the recipes you learned.

6. Okashi Goten Onna Store

Okinawa is a tourist destination and has a wide variety of souvenirs, but one of the most popular is the "Purple Sweet Potato Tart" made with plenty of the local specialty, purple sweet potato. The moist tart dough and the gentle sweetness of the purple sweet potato make this a favorite treat for children and adults alike. Okashi Goten is a shop that produces and sells this treat.

Okashi Goten has stores scattered around, but we recommend the Onna branch, where you can experience making your own purple sweet potato tart. Okashi Goten offers a wide variety of desserts using Okinawan ingredients, with a focus on desserts using purple sweet potatoes. Find your favorite treat and take it home as a souvenir.

7. Nakayukui Market, the Woman's Station

Onna-no-Eki Nakayukui Market is a roadside station located on National Route 58 in Onna Village. Onna Village is famous as a resort tourist destination with crystal clear waters, but it is also an area where agriculture and fishing are actively carried out, such as the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, and the cultivation of seaweed and sea grapes. Onna-no-Eki has a wide variety of locally grown ingredients.

We especially recommend tropical fruits such as mangoes, passion fruit, dragon fruit, and shekwasha. They can be purchased at a reasonable price, and the fully ripe mangoes are especially known for their rich sweetness! They make a great souvenir. Be sure to try the popular tropical fruit shaved ice, as well as classic dishes such as taco rice and sata andagi. The snack pineapples can be eaten as is, so they are also recommended for driving tours.

8. Tomarin

"Tomarin" is the passenger terminal building for ferries that operate to the Kerama Islands and other remote islands. In addition to purchasing boarding tickets, the building also houses an Okinawan kamaboko shop, a boutique, a convenience store, and a cafe. The 6th to 15th floors are occupied by the resort hotel "Okinawa Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha," making it a convenient base for sightseeing.

Some remote islands do not have convenience stores, so be sure to purchase anything you need before crossing. The cafe also has a food menu including sandwiches and pasta, so it is convenient to stop by before departure. The lunchtime menu is a one-coin menu that is easy on the wallet. Mamiya Kamaboko, which is used at Okinawa events, can be shipped nationwide.

9. Heiwa Street

Heiwa-dori is an arcade street that continues from Kokusai-dori. The street is lined with souvenir shops and clothing stores and is visited by many tourists as well as locals. The Kokusai-dori side is mainly a souvenir shops, but if you go further in, you will find a row of women's clothing stores that are popular with locals. Ichiba-dori, which leads to the First Makishi Public Market, is mainly a souvenir shop. There are also several other alleys that connect to other streets, such as Parasol Street, making it almost maze-like.

Heiwa-dori is bustling with shops selling tropical fruits, butcher shops with hanging pigskins, and bento shops using local ingredients, with Ryukyu folk music playing in the background. It is a shopping spot where you can get a glimpse of Okinawan culture.

10. Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa

Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa is an outlet mall conveniently located about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Since it's close to the airport, you can stop by in your free time before catching your flight. The exterior of the mall resembles a modern take on an ancient Greek building, and inside there are over 100 famous brand stores lined up.

The mall has a wide range of products, from trendy fashion and miscellaneous goods to Okinawa souvenirs, and what's appealing about them is that they can be purchased at reasonable prices. There are many stores and many products that can only be found here, making shopping fun. When you get hungry, why not try a buffet-style Okinawan restaurant or Okinawa soba?

11. Palette Kumoji

Palette Kumoji is a shopping complex located at the southern end of Kokusai-dori, near the Prefectural Office intersection. The main store is the department store RYUBO, located on the 1st basement floor to the 8th floor. RYUBO sells everything from groceries to clothing and miscellaneous goods, so it's convenient if you need to buy something extra during your trip.

Other attractions include the History Museum on the 4th floor, the Palette Civic Theater on the 9th floor, and the rooftop garden on the 10th floor, which is a relaxing plaza with herbs and flowers blooming.

12. Tsuboya Yachimun Street

"Yachimun" is a word that means "pottery" in the Okinawan dialect. Tsuboya Yachimun Street is a traditional stone-paved road lined with many yachimun shops in the surrounding area.

Yachimun Street has a long history, and its name comes from the fact that the Ryukyu Kingdom gathered potters from all over Okinawa and established a settlement in Tsuboya. Yachimun still uses ancient techniques and methods, but in recent years, modern designs have been incorporated, and there are more and more pottery pieces that are easy for young people and women to use.

There is also a cafe on Yachimun Street where you can drink delicious coffee served on yachimun tableware. We recommend taking a break at the cafe, shopping, or taking a leisurely stroll while looking at the traditional crafts.

13. Mihama American Village

Mihama American Village in Chatan Town is a large entertainment facility where you can enjoy not only shopping but also gourmet food, movies, and live music. The vast site facing the sea is the size of about five Tokyo Domes!

The area which evokes the image of a fashionable streetscape on the American West Coast, is equipped with fashion shops, gourmet spots, bowling, karaoke facilities, and even a large supermarket. The beach adjacent to American Village is also a popular sunset spot. You can dine on the terrace seats of restaurants while watching the beautiful ocean and sunset.

14. Yanbaru Products Center

Yanbaru Products Center is a roadside station in Nago City. It is located about 7km from Kyoda IC, the terminus of the Okinawa Expressway. National Route 58, where the roadside station is located, is an essential road for sightseeing and driving courses, so it is a great place not only to shop but also to take a break and enjoy lunch and sweets.

This roadside station has a wide selection of local produce, such as vegetables and fruits grown in the northern part of the main island, known as Yanbaru, and you can also purchase Okinawa souvenirs. Be sure to try the gourmet food that can only be found here at the outdoor food court.

15. Kokusai Street

Kokusai-dori is the largest shopping street in Naha City and Okinawa's leading shopping spot. You can find everything from Okinawa's standard souvenirs to fashion and gourmet food. It is bustling from morning to night, with restaurants serving Okinawan cuisine and American steaks, and izakayas where you can enjoy folk music and awamori. It is also a must-see tourist spot as it is close to Naha Airport.

Kokusai-dori is also recommended for people who love fashion. There are many unique shops, from those selling tropical fashion to those selling international fashion items. Many stores are decorated with autographs of celebrities who have visited the street for TV interviews or private occasions, so it might be fun to look for them.

16. Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace

Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace is a resort shopping center located on Senaga Island, easily accessible by car from Naha Airport, in about 15 minutes. The modern white building houses about 30 restaurants and general stores from all over Okinawa. Facing the west coast of the main island, the beautiful ocean views are amazing! You can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and desserts while enjoying the ocean view from the terrace seats of the restaurants.

At Umikaji Terrace, canvas bags, cosmetics made from Ryukyu materials, and accessories made from natural materials are popular. There are also relaxation facilities, so it is recommended for those who want to relieve the fatigue of traveling.

17. T Galleria Okinawa

"T Galleria Okinawa" is the only DFS in Japan where you can shop duty-free without a passport. It is popular with tourists because it is available not only to international passengers leaving the country but also to domestic passengers leaving Okinawa Prefecture.

You can purchase famous brand products, cosmetics, accessories, etc. at duty-free prices, and there is a wide selection of products, including unreleased and limited edition products! You can pick up your purchased products at a dedicated counter at the airport, so it is convenient for those who don't want to get their purchased products wet on a rainy day or who don't want to increase their luggage while sightseeing.

Most of the first floor is not duty-free, but you can purchase souvenirs such as about 100 types of awamori and classic sweets. There is also a restaurant, a Godiva cafe, and a rental car counter, so it can be used as a base for your trip.

18. Makishi Public Market

"Makishi Public Market No. 1" is a market located on Ichiba-dori, adjacent to Kokusai-dori. Inside the market, known as "Naha's Kitchen,"

Okinawa's specialty products are lined up in a row. There is a wide selection of meat, fish, ripe fruits, and vegetables that are hard to find on the mainland, and some stores will ship nationwide. It's also a great place to buy fresh ingredients as souvenirs.

The restaurant on the second floor also offers a service to cook the ingredients you purchase.

19. AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom

AEON Mall is a major shopping center found all over Japan. You can enjoy shopping in Okinawa in the same way as on the mainland, but AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom has a tropical atmosphere.

A large aquarium is installed in the large open-ceilinged space on the first floor, Rycom Grand Square. This large aquarium, Rycom Aquarium, was created in collaboration with the Okinawa Churashima Foundation. You will be soothed by the sight of Napoleon fish, thrush sharks, and colorful tropical fish swimming, and children who are tired of shopping will surely be excited.

On Mall Okinawa Rycom is recommended for those who want to do their usual shopping at fashion and lifestyle stores. There are many restaurants and food courts where you can enjoy Okinawan and international cuisine, so you will not be short of places to eat.

20. Hamby Night Flea Market

The Hamby Night Flea Market is a night bazaar held on weekends in Chatan. You can enjoy shopping for clothes, miscellaneous goods, imported goods, fruit, and more in an atmosphere similar to a Sunday market in Thailand.

The vendors are not only Japanese but many foreigners living in Japan, so the appeal of this flea market is that it sells rare products that are hard to find on the mainland. It is popular with fans of Western music, as it sells CDs of indie artists as well as popular overseas artists. At the stalls within the market, you can drink alcohol such as awamori and Orion beer, and eat homemade cakes.

21. Ishija Yuntaku Market

Ishija Yuntaku Market is located just north of Kin Interchange on Route 329 along the coast. Its simple appearance is what makes it so attractive, and it is also known as the Ishija Free Market.

Locals run the shops, and you can buy fruit and local specialties at reasonable prices, as well as imported American goods and detergents, and even U.S. military uniforms, hats, and belts. Apparently, U.S. military uniforms are often worn as work clothes for farm work. It's so unique that there are plenty of things to poke fun at, but it's also fun to just look around like a flea market, and it's an exciting market where you can find unexpected bargains.

◎Summary

We have introduced 21 different shopping spots in Okinawa, including roadside stations, markets, shopping centers, and malls where you can find fresh vegetables and fruits from Okinawa. Enjoy shopping in Okinawa with a different atmosphere from the mainland, from places to buy souvenirs and Okinawan specialties to famous brands at low prices at DFS, convenient stores for small purchases of luggage, and unique stores.