We introduce 12 carefully selected souvenir shops recommended for finding souvenirs on Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki Island is full of nature, with its beautiful sea and mountains, but shopping is something you shouldn't forget. While it's fun to engage in outdoor activities, taking the time to leisurely choose your favorite items and buy souvenirs is also important.
What kinds of souvenir shops can you find on Ishigaki Island?
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ① Painushima Ishigaki Airport
When looking for souvenirs on Ishigaki Island, let's first introduce "Painushima Ishigaki Airport."
At Ishigaki Airport, you can buy various souvenirs from all over the island. With so many shops lined up, you may find yourself overwhelmed with choices, so it's best to allow plenty of time for shopping.
The airport is packed with souvenir shops!
At "Azamiya," you can purchase traditional Yaeyama Minsā woven products. Items such as pouches and bags make great souvenirs, especially for older recipients.
At "Ishigaki no Shio," you can buy locally made salt, which is said to change in taste depending on natural factors like the moon phase, light, and wind.
At "CU-CO Tingarā," you can find handicrafts made from natural materials by local artists.
There are also plenty of skincare products like soaps and accessories such as earrings, making it a great place to buy a souvenir for yourself.
Name: Painushima Ishigaki Airport
Address: 1960-104-1 Shiraho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.ishigaki-airport.co.jp/index.html
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ② Ishigaki Island Shopping Plaza
Next, we introduce Ishigaki Island Shopping Plaza, a shopping center about 20 minutes by car from the airport.
This is one of the must-visit places when you come to Ishigaki. On the first floor, you’ll find a wide variety of souvenirs, while the second floor has a restaurant where you can relax after shopping.
Find Unique Souvenirs from a Tropical Island!
The souvenir stores here sell Ishigaki Island’s pineapple juice, seafood products, and various Okinawa-themed goods like magnets and socks.
Glasses made from Ryukyu glass are beautifully crafted and are popular as gifts for yourself or family members.
For souvenirs for men, Ishigaki's local beer and Awamori (Okinawan distilled liquor) are great choices. The fruity sweetness of Weizen beer makes it easy to drink.
Name: Ishigaki Island Shopping Plaza
Address: 370-3 Hirae, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.ishigakijima.co.jp/
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ③ Ishigaki City Public Market
Located inside Euglena Mall, the Ishigaki City Public Market has long been loved by locals. It is also a popular destination for tourists, making it a lively and bustling place every day.
One of the highlights of the market is the street vendors. They sell a variety of local products, including freshly cut fruits, island bananas, natural mozuku seaweed, and fresh vegetables harvested on Ishigaki Island.
Name: Ishigaki City Public Market
Address: 208 Ōkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ④ Bussyokan Center Ishigaki Island
Located next to the Tōjinbaka (Tang People's Tomb), this souvenir center is home to a brown sugar factory, filling the air with a sweet aroma. The top recommendation here is brown sugar! It is made by boiling sugarcane juice for eight hours, resulting in a natural sweetness with no unwanted aftertaste.
Sweets made with this brown sugar are also very popular. There are many varieties, such as Baumkuchen, Kibi no Hana, Goma Sugar, and Bara Sugar. Another classic Okinawan souvenir available here is Chinsuko, a crispy biscuit enjoyed by people of all ages.
Limited-Edition Ishigaki Island Chili Oil!
One of the most sought-after items here is Ishigaki Island’s chili oil, which is limited to 50 bottles per month.
This chili oil, made by the famous Penguin Shokudo, sells out quickly, so if you want to get one, be sure to visit early!
Name: Bussyokan Center Ishigaki Island
Address: 1612 Arakawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://bc-ishigakijima.com/index.html
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑤ Garden Pana
Garden Pana is famous for its herb-based seasonings. This small shop has a garden where herbs are grown and harvested on-site.
The herbs, nurtured in Ishigaki Island’s natural environment, have a rich aroma. The seasonings made from these herbs can be used in a variety of dishes.
The shop also sells herbal tea and fresh herbs, which are popular among homemakers for use in cooking and homemade sweets. The herb soaps, wrapped in stylish packaging, are known for their moisturizing properties.
They also offer gift sets, making it easy to find souvenirs for loved ones.
Name: Garden Pana
Address: 239-14 Sakieda, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://gardenpana.biz/
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑥ Inafuku Awamori Market
Located in Maesato, a commercial area of Ishigaki Island, Inafuku Awamori Market offers one of the largest selections of Awamori in Okinawa. The shop carries around 48 different distilleries' Awamori, allowing customers to choose between paper-packaged Awamori for personal use and ceramic jar versions for gifts.
In addition to Awamori, the shop also sells Okinawa's famous Orion Beer and rum made from sugarcane. If you prefer a milder drink, try Seifuku Yuzu Shikuwasa, a liquor made with Ishigaki-produced Awamori, Japanese yuzu, and Okinawan shikuwasa citrus. Its refreshing aroma and smooth taste make it a popular choice among young women. You can enjoy it on the rocks, with water, or mixed with soda.
Name: Inafuku Awamori Market
Address: 284-1 Maesato, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.yaeyama.or.jp/docs/2013052800410/
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑦ Yonekoyaki Pottery Studio
Yonekoyaki Pottery Studio is a unique spot on Ishigaki Island, located near the popular diving destination Yonehara Beach. Even if you don’t know the exact location, the large, eye-catching Shisa statues outside the shop make it easy to find!
Aside from traditional Shisa statues, the studio also sells its original Kimusa series of Shisa-inspired goods.
The Shisa from Yonekoyaki Pottery Studio are brightly colored, featuring vivid primary colors and big, cheerful smiles. Their vibrant appearance reflects the beauty of Ishigaki’s natural surroundings, and they bring a lively atmosphere to any home.
The shop also sells hand towels, postcards, and keychains at affordable prices, making them perfect souvenirs.
Name: Yonekoyaki Pottery Studio
Address: 447 Fukai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://yonekoyaki.web.fc2.com/
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑧ Ryukyu Mabuyā Handmade Workshop
Besides selling traditional Ishigaki Island souvenirs such as sweets and accessories, Ryukyu Mabuyā Handmade Workshop also offers hands-on craft experiences.
You can even bring materials you found on the beach or in the mountains to create your own original handmade items. If you don’t have materials, the shop provides seashells, coral, and other decorative items.
Activities include painting Shisa statues and decorating photo frames, making it a fun experience for children. Even if you’re short on time, you can create magnets or gel candles in as little as 10 minutes.
For something truly unique, try making lamps or accessories using coral and sea glass. This shop offers both souvenirs and memorable experiences, so be sure to check it out!
Name: Ryukyu Mabuyā Handmade Workshop
Address: 257-1 Ōkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.minamiproject.com/mabuya/
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑨ Euglena Mall
Located in downtown Ishigaki City, Euglena Mall is home to over 100 shops, making it a popular shopping destination for both tourists and locals. With its covered arcade-style design spanning Chūō Street and Ginza Street, visitors can shop comfortably even on rainy days.
You can find a variety of tropical fruits like pineapples and mangoes, as well as fresh island vegetables at affordable prices.
One of the notable shops inside the mall is Hirariyo Shoten, where you can buy handmade accessories and crafts created by local Ishigaki artists.
Another must-visit store is Sanpin Kōbō, a husband-and-wife-run shop that sells hand towels featuring motifs of Yaeyama's wildlife and landscapes. These items make for great souvenirs filled with the charm of Ishigaki Island.
Additionally, Ishigaki City Public Market is located within Euglena Mall, where you can buy fresh fish and meat.
Name: Euglena Mall
Address: 208 Ōkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑩ Farmers Market Yuraticu Ichiba
"Yuraticu" means "Come on in!" in the Yaeyama dialect, and this farmers' market is operated by JA Okinawa. It offers a variety of products at reasonable prices, making it popular among locals as well.
Here, you can buy fresh fruits grown in Ishigaki, such as pineapples, mangoes, and island bananas. The market also sells a variety of fruits and vegetables that are rarely seen outside Okinawa, making them great souvenirs! In Yaeyama, the earliest rice harvest in Japan takes place, so if you visit between late May and early June, you can buy freshly harvested rice.
Additionally, you can find local sweets such as Chinsuko and Sata Andagi. Many sweets are made with brown sugar, which is a popular treat to enjoy with tea. Affordable Ishigaki beef bento boxes are also available, making it a great option for a picnic.
Name: Farmers Market Yuraticu Ichiba
Address: 1-2 Shineicho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Official Website: http://www.ja-okinawa.or.jp/farmersmarket/detail.php?id=542
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑪ Ishigaki-Yaki Pottery Studio
Ishigaki-Yaki is a beautiful blue pottery inspired by the ocean of Ishigaki Island. This pottery combines glass and ceramics, making it a unique art form that has gained international popularity. The studio offers various products, including tableware such as plates and bowls, as well as accessories like necklaces and earrings.
The deep blue hues of the pottery are mesmerizing and make for an excellent souvenir, whether for yourself or as a gift for family and friends.
The studio also offers pottery-making experiences. You can try the Ishigaki-Yaki course or create your own Shisa figurine, making it a fun memory to bring home.
For those planning a wedding, there is a special bridal course where couples can make gifts for their guests, parents, or friends, which is highly appreciated.
Name: Ishigaki-Yaki Pottery Studio
Address: 1356-71 Nagura, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Official Website: http://www.ishigaki-yaki.com/experience.html
[Ishigaki Island] Souvenir Shop ⑫ Uminchu Kobo
One of the most famous items in Okinawa is the "Uminchu" (fisherman) T-shirt, which is also available in Ishigaki Island. Located inside the Ishigaki Airport terminal building, this shop is easily accessible—perfect for last-minute souvenir shopping before your flight.
In addition to the iconic Uminchu T-shirts, the shop sells shirts featuring cute prints of Shisa (Okinawan guardian lions) and Habu snakes.
You can also find fans, towels, eco-bags, and other useful items. Many visitors buy these items upon arrival and use them during their trip. The store offers a wide range of sizes and colors, making it fun to buy matching outfits for family members or friends.
Name: Uminchu Kobo
Address: 249-1 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Official Website: http://www.uminchu-okinawa.com/
◎ Summary of Souvenir Shops in Ishigaki Island
We introduced 12 great shopping spots in Ishigaki Island! In addition to these stores, there are many other places where you can shop. Some stores offer hands-on experiences, allowing you to create your own souvenirs and memories. These experiences are particularly fun for children.
After exploring the island, take some time to enjoy shopping and make the most of your trip to Ishigaki Island!