7 Relaxing and Cozy Gourmet Spots in Tarama Island

Tarama Island is located between Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island. The island is surrounded by emerald green waters and white sandy beaches. With its stunning coral reefs, it attracts many scuba diving enthusiasts. Within the island, visitors can enjoy the lush scenery of sugarcane fields, and if you're lucky, you might even encounter the adorable goats of Tarama Island while strolling around!

Tarama Island offers a variety of dining spots where you can savor fresh seafood dishes at traditional inns or enjoy a laid-back atmosphere at cozy izakayas. After a day of swimming or cycling, why not indulge in Tarama Island’s local delicacies?

1. Midoriya Ryokan

Midoriya Ryokan is a popular accommodation in Tarama Island known for its delicious meals. The first floor of the ryokan serves as a dining area, which is exclusive to guests for breakfast and dinner. However, during lunch hours, the restaurant welcomes non-staying guests, making it a great spot for visitors looking for a budget-friendly meal. If you’re planning a long-term stay on Tarama Island, this ryokan is an ideal option as it offers accommodation with two meals per night. Please note that the ryokan has irregular closing days, so it’s best to check before visiting.

As for the lunch menu, it offers just one dish—soba! You can choose between Okinawa soba or Yakisoba, both priced at 500 yen, making it an affordable and satisfying choice. The soba comes with a generous portion of meat, ensuring you’ll be full and satisfied. The handmade noodles pair perfectly with the rich pork bone broth, creating a flavorful and hearty experience.

The dining area features traditional tatami seating, giving it a cozy, home-like atmosphere rather than a typical restaurant setting. You can relax and enjoy your meal in a peaceful environment. If you ask the owner, you may even be allowed to sit on the engawa (veranda)—a perfect spot to unwind after a beach trip!

2. Izakaya Nagi

Located just 10 minutes by car from Tarama Airport, Izakaya Nagi is one of the few izakayas on Tarama Island. However, it also operates as a lunch restaurant, serving affordable meal sets. You can enjoy classic dishes like Ebi Fry Teishoku (Fried Shrimp Set), Chicken Tatsuta Teishoku, and Tonkatsu Teishoku, priced at just 600 to 700 yen. Another must-try dish is their Miyako Soba, especially the Vegetable Soba (600 yen), which is highly popular.

Since many people from other islands work in Tarama Island, the restaurant tends to be crowded during lunchtime. The Vegetable Soba sells out quickly, so visit early to secure your meal. At night, the izakaya serves deep-fried dishes and drinks, but if you request the soba, they will still prepare it for you! For those who enjoy drinking, Nagi offers a chance to experience Ichnā—a unique drinking culture of the Miyako Islands (called "Autrii" in Miyako Island).

Solo travelers can comfortably dine alone, while private rooms are available for groups of friends or families. Locals also frequent this izakaya, so it’s a great place to ask for travel tips about Tarama Island.

3. Hemingway Coffee Shop

Located inside Tarama Airport, Hemingway is a unique coffee shop that reflects the owner's passion not only in its name but also in its interior design. The shop's specialty is Salt Coffee (¥300), where adding salt makes the coffee taste smoother and richer. The salt is handcrafted by the owner through a meticulous sun-drying process, making each cup truly special. For coffee lovers, trying both regular and Salt Coffee can be an interesting experience to compare flavors. Other beverages available include lemongrass herbal tea and cold brew coffee. The herbal tea is known to help with hangovers, making it a great choice for those who may have indulged in drinks at Ichina the night before.

The shop has counter seating only, but with a cozy atmosphere featuring a small exhibition of shells and coral, offering a relaxing experience. The owner has traveled extensively, having completed a motorcycle journey across Japan and six global trips on the Peace Boat, so engaging in travel conversations with him can be quite enjoyable.

Hemingway operates only during flight arrival and departure times, making it a great spot to spend time before boarding your flight. There's also an interesting rumor that the black-and-white photo of a man displayed in the shop resembles the owner—so why not check it out yourself?

4. Izakaya Adan

Located near Tarama Junior High School, Izakaya Adan is a traditional Japanese pub with a guesthouse on the second floor and a restaurant on the ground floor. Look for the red lanterns hanging at the entrance to find the place. It operates as a lunch spot during the day and an izakaya (Japanese pub) at night, making it a convenient dining choice for travelers exploring Tarama Island.

For lunch, the menu features classics like ginger pork and fried fish, alongside kid-friendly options like curry and pasta. You can also try Miyako Soba, a must-try Okinawan noodle dish, or enjoy a taco rice bowl, a fusion of Okinawan and Mexican flavors.

At night, Izakaya Adan serves fresh seafood, including sashimi and sushi, sourced directly from Tarama Island's waters. Pair it with Awamori, Okinawa’s traditional distilled liquor, for an authentic dining experience. With a wide range of menu options, including local delicacies and traditional Okinawan dishes, the izakaya caters to all tastes. It remains open until midnight, making it the perfect spot to unwind with friends or family over drinks.

Make your trip to Tarama Island even more memorable by dining at Izakaya Adan!

5. Minshuku Marumiya (Guesthouse Marumiya)

Located next to the previously introduced Midoriya Ryokan, Minshuku Marumiya is a popular guesthouse, especially among fishing enthusiasts. The owner, a former fisherman, offers offshore fishing and trolling tours, attracting many repeat visitors. The meals vary by season, but the guesthouse is best known for its delicious seafood dishes. The owner himself dives to catch fresh fish, which is then expertly prepared into sashimi—an absolute must-try! The meals are plentiful, allowing guests to savor the simple yet authentic flavors of Okinawa. If you’re lucky, the owner might even offer a special treat while you relax in the dining area.

In the evening, guests can participate in "yuntaku" (friendly chats over dinner), providing an excellent opportunity to interact with locals while enjoying a meal. The owner is also highly knowledgeable about the sea, so if you're planning to go snorkeling around Tarama Island, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations on the best spots. The dining hall is exclusively for guests, so if you want to indulge in Tarama’s freshest seafood, booking a stay is highly recommended. The guesthouse also features a garden, where you can unwind after dinner while gazing at the beautiful night sky.

6. Yume Patio Tarama

With its red-tiled roof and pristine white walls, Yume Patio Tarama is a charming village-run lodge offering a tranquil retreat surrounded by Fukugi trees, the village's iconic greenery. Guests can experience an authentic Okinawan atmosphere while enjoying home-cooked meals at the on-site restaurant, made with fresh local ingredients. For those with a hearty appetite, rice refills are available at no extra charge!

The meals, lovingly prepared by local island mothers, have a nostalgic, homey taste that makes visitors feel right at home. However, alcoholic beverages such as beer and Awamori are not available at the restaurant, so those who wish to enjoy a drink should purchase them in advance from local shops. In addition to dining, the lodge also offers traditional tofu-making and black sugar-making experiences, allowing visitors to taste their own handcrafted creations.

To dine at the restaurant, a reservation is required, so be sure to book in advance. The facility also features a 交流サロン ("Kōryū Salon" or "Exchange Lounge"), where guests can socialize and connect with fellow travelers. At night, the sky is filled with countless stars, making it a perfect spot to escape from daily stress and fully unwind.

7. Chuo Supermarket

Chuo Supermarket is one of the largest supermarkets on Tarama Island, offering everything from food to daily necessities. Both locals and tourists frequently visit this well-stocked store, making it a convenient shopping spot for anyone on the island.
One of the most famous local specialties available here is “Yagi-jiru” (Goat Soup). Tarama Island is known for its unique breed of goat, called "Tarama Pinda," which feeds on coastal vegetation rich in minerals from the sea breeze. This diet gives the meat a distinct taste compared to regular goat meat.

Goat dishes have long been a part of traditional hospitality in Tarama Island. The Yagi-jiru sold here is seasoned with handmade miso from locally sourced ingredients and is available for 1,000 yen per serving. While goat meat is often associated with a strong aroma, the miso-based seasoning makes it mild and easy to enjoy, even for first-time eaters.
Another popular specialty is “Panapanbin”, a deep-fried local pastry. The name comes from “pana,” meaning “flower petals,” as the snack is designed to resemble a blossom. With its crispy texture and light salty flavor, it’s a delightful treat that never gets boring.

If you're visiting Tarama Island, don’t miss the chance to buy Yagi-jiru and Panapanbin as souvenirs. You can also enjoy them on the spot while exploring the island!

◎ Summary

Tarama Island is a peaceful and welcoming destination where you can truly relax. With restaurants and shops open until late, you can explore the island without worrying about time.

After a day of enjoying Tarama’s natural beauty, treat yourself to delicious local cuisine made from fresh island ingredients.

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7 Relaxing and Cozy Gourmet Spots in Tarama Island