Restaurants, markets and shops食べる
Yaeyama soba, island lunches, shaved ice, a farmers market and an awamori distillery. Hours on the small islands are irregular; check before you go.
By island
Ishigaki Island
Buy awamori (Okinawan spirit), kamaboko (fish cake), Ishigaki chili oil, and Minsa weaving in one stop.
9:00-20:00, closed on the 2nd and 4th Sundays
- “The Ishigaki City Public Market today is a souvenir and local goods market, making it an easy stop if you want to pick u…”Tasha (AutismFamilyTravelGuide) · ★5
- “It’s not a traditional local market, but it offers a good variety of items that travelers are likely to enjoy. The marke…”Sona · ★5
- “This is a neat place to see local Ishigaki produce, meats, fish, and other various products. The entrance is located in …”M Fricks · ★5
Checked October 2026
A first stop for island fruit in season.
9:00-18:00 (closed the first three days of the New Year, the last day of Obon by the lunar calendar, and about once a month)
- “This was probably the most crowded place we saw in otherwise quiet Ishigaki. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables her…”Sona · ★5
- “This market is great. If you have an Air BnB or an accommodation with a kitchen, you should buy some Wagyu Beef and gril…”Eric Viohl · ★5
- “Nice supermarket, selling lots of local products. It’s interesting for me to see how a local supermarket is like. It’s n…”J. Q · ★5
Checked October 2026
Gelato made with milk from the island's Imori Farm. The airport branch is handy before a flight.
Summer (March-October) 10:00-19:00 / Winter (November-February) 10:00-18:30. Airport branch 7:30-20:00
- “My girlfriend really wanted me to drive here for sunset. It was so worth the drive. We were awed by the view the moment …”Ha Phan · ★5
- “Amazing ice cream made from the milk of their own cows, came back multiple times. Their cheeseburger was also absolutely…”EN · ★5
- “Nice view of mountain and sea. If you go evening you can enjoy sunset as well. You can enjoy gelato outside terrace and …”Weeraratna Chandima · ★5
Checked October 2026
An Ishigaki specialty rice ball you assemble yourself. Eat it soon after buying.
Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- “Though prices have slightly risen from years ago, I think the quality and quantity have remained the same. They deserve …”ARBN · ★5
- “It's a popular shop in Ishigaki. I recommend trying their gourmet option where they put fried food and onigiri (rice bal…”Family Mori · ★4
- “THE place for Ishigaki local specialty - onisasa! So much fun assembling - onigiri, katsu, sauce - placed in a bag - and…”Andrea Chan · ★5
Checked October 2026
Thin, straight, round noodles with shredded pork and kamaboko (fish cake). A good place to try the standard Yaeyama soba.
Monday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM / Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM / Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM / Thursday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM / Friday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM / Saturday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM / Sunday: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM
- “Very tasty local dishes! Highly recommended!! Comforting food, warm atmosphere, very welcoming. Aside of the great noodl…”Ohad S. · ★5
- “We came here because the place got like 300plus reviews. Maybe its just me, I didnt feel the spark. The broth is quite s…”Thao Tanaka · ★3
- “The broth was not as thick as the one at the airport (which felt more of a tonkotsu ramen than a soba), and the meat ser…”Lost Filipina · ★5
Checked October 2026
Home-grown guava and island tropical fruit. Best for midday or early afternoon.
11:00-16:00 (last order 15:30). Irregular days off
- “We were pretty excited to try out this local establishment but upon arrival at 9:40am, guava pies were sold out, many sm…”Danielle D · ★2
- “Drinks are very good. Back at the shop is a nice garden where you can enjoy the drinks. Better to go earlier as later ma…”Tieu Ky Luu · ★4
- “We saw this shop on Google map and it was open. Ordered guava smoothie and pineapple smoothie. The area was very relaxin…”tik tik chin · ★4
Checked October 2026
One of Ishigaki's six distilleries. You can tour the distillery, which uses the 100% rice koji method.
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Saturday: Closed / Sunday: Closed
- “Great place to find a wide variety of potential souvenirs, especially if you like awamori. However, while options are ko…”ARBN · ★4
- “Free and generous tasting of the range and very pleasant and helpful staff. I don't even like saki or awamori all that m…”William Crampton · ★5
- “I visited to buy plum wine, but I almost had to leave without buying any because of the timing. Fortunately, a kind staf…”장동석 · ★5Translated by Google
Checked October 2026
Founded in 1957. You can eat freshly fried jushi kamaboko (kamaboko made with seasoned rice) on the spot.
Monday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Sunday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- “Delicious!! It's like eating clouds ✨️ Everything I tried was so tasty! Variety of Kamaboko were very tasty and the blac…”Ohad S. · ★5
- “Black Jushi Kamaboko is a delicious snack that pairs well with alcohol, made by mixing squid ink into kamaboko (fish cak…”くろ · ★4Translated by Google
- “This place is open from 7:00 AM. I had the Black Juushi (400 yen) and Juushi Kamaboko (400 yen) for breakfast. I couldn'…”Manabu Miyachi · ★4Translated by Google
Checked October 2026
Taketomi Island
Yaeyama soba restaurant inside the village, with 895 Google reviews (October 2026). Jushi (seasoned rice) is ¥400, and shaved ice is also served. Hours change during island events.
10:30-15:00 (last order 14:30). Dinner service closed for now (official, October 2026). Google Maps shows closed on weekends
- “🍜Pork Bone Buckwheat Noodles ¥1200/NT$240 🍜Three-Layer Pork Belly Buckwheat Noodles ¥1200/NT$240 There's often a queue; …”Xi Ling · ★5
- “This restaurant feels like stepping into a local families kitchen - the staff are very accommodating and friendly despit…”Chris Bryan · ★5
- “The best soba I've had! It is a popular place! I went at 2pm, and there were about 20 people ahead of me on the list - I…”Saige Sanchez · ★5
Checked October 2026
Set meals under a banyan tree at lunch, beer under the stars at night. Aasa champuru set meal ¥750, tiger prawn fry set meal ¥1,650.
11:00-15:00, 19:00-21:00. Closed Tuesdays (Google Maps, October 2026)
- “I love this place. It’s an adorable garden with a kitchen run by an adorable older couple. Fast service. Amazing food! W…”M O · ★5
- “We found this mom and pop restaurant while exploring the island . The ebi fry was extremely tasty . Highly recommended…”kenny yu · ★5
- “I had the beef curry for lunch and sat in the quiet garden in the shadow. It was tasty and the owner nice! Cash only, no…”raffiniert · ★5
Checked October 2026
Parlor in the center of the village serving Okinawa ice zenzai (sweet red bean shaved ice) with milk. Mostly outdoor seating, self-service. Closed some days in winter.
11:30-17:30 (from 10:00 on weekends). Closed Tuesdays (Google Maps, October 2026)
- “It's too hot in May, having a good dessert is like a heaven…”Hui Phoebe · ★5
- “This is what you need on an Okinawan hot day!…”Artur Bartoszek · ★5
- “Legit shaved ice. Awesome treat after walking the island.…”Buck Hanson · ★5
Checked October 2026
Iriomote Island
About a 2-minute walk from the Uehara Port terminal. Yaeyama soba (noodles) while you wait for the ferry. The menu is now short, mainly soba and rice.
11:30-18:00 (last order 17:30). Closed Wednesdays; irregular days off (Tabelog)
- “We definitely liked the place. At the time of our visit the place served soba and rice. The soba was pretty simple but d…”Bulushova Lidiya · ★5
- “An Extremely Unpleasant Dining Experience! Especially Advised Against for Foreign Tourists! We walked into this restaura…”wshlsr · ★1
- “Very friendly staff who brought us pictures of the dishes since we couldn’t read the menu very well. Dishes were simple,…”Michelle Guertin · ★3
Checked October 2026
An izakaya on the Ohara side that is also open for lunch. Tuna and avocado Korean-style rice and taco rice are each ¥600. Manga to read.
11:30-13:30, 18:00-23:00 (Google Maps, October 2026). Sources disagree on the regular day off; confirm before you go
- “Delicious food in a low-key and friendly izakaya - offering free pick-ups / drop offs for 2 people within a limited rang…”George Maxwell · ★5
- “One of the best places that we've just "popped in" to in recent years. We could see the cool music mural from the road a…”Christine Nicole · ★5
- “A true island treasure. Azahaemi was one of the only restaurant open for dinner during our stay. and we couldn’t have be…”samuel kim · ★5
Checked October 2026
A cafe-style restaurant in Uehara. Known for squid ink soup soba and taro pie. Lunch only; on some days the rice sells out and only soba is left.
11:30-15:00. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Tabelog). Temporary closures occur
- “This restaurant is very near to Urauchi bus station and is run by an old lady. You really have to reserve plenty of time…”mac King · ★3
- “A place arrested in time, with grand mother cooking in the kitchen. The house has forgotten about the passage of time an…”Yam Yam · ★5
- “Run by a super nice elderly couple, the place is a super comfortable restaurant. For lunch I had squid in squid ink soba…”Ian Grossberg · ★5
Checked October 2026
An izakaya on the Ohara side. Goat sashimi, kamai (wild boar) champuru (stir-fry), and sauce yakisoba for ¥800. Dinner only; reservations accepted.
18:30-23:00 (last order 22:00). Closed Thursdays (Tabelog)
- “What a nice place. It gets booked out as it's quite popular so call in advance. No English speakers so get a Japanese fr…”Jeremy Anderberg · ★5
- “Great food, great service and great vibes!…”Mariko Ishibashi · ★5
- “Avoid. Food was not good. Drinks were good though, so if you’re just drinking it is fine. Bar food was just not acceptab…”Rui Mano · ★1
Checked October 2026
Kohama Island
Restaurant in front of Kohama Port serving Yaeyama soba (local noodles), cartilage soki soba (pork spare rib) and Spam-and-egg soba. Noodles are lunch only, and it gets crowded at midday.
11:30-16:00. Irregular days off
- “Great Chicken Karaage and tofu champuru. Delicious brown sugar ice-cream. Lovely duo running the restaurant. Order off a…”e · ★5
- “Delicious.…”Calvin Wong · ★4
- “The menu is so extensive that it's really hard to decide...! The location is also great, as it's only a 30-second walk f…”Ray · ★5Translated by Google
Checked October 2026
A cafe right by Kohama Port. Yaeyama soba ¥500, taco soba ¥700, hot dog ¥500. Good for waiting for a ferry.
11:00-18:00. Closed Thursdays (Google Maps, October 2026)
- “This is a must try. My partner and I shared the taco rice and a local pork soba noodle soup. Both were very tasty, espec…”N M · ★5
- “Cool dude runs this place. Outdoor elevated patio with view of the port. Surprising how many dishes on the menu. Both of…”buzz mccord · ★5
- “This is such a beautiful restaurant. The owners are really lovely and friendly. The food is absolutely delicious! I real…”Yusuf Costu · ★5
Checked October 2026
Hateruma Island
A casual restaurant known for its rafute (braised pork belly) set meal and island vegetable curry. 285 Google reviews (October 2026). Days off are irregular, so confirm by the day before.
11:30-15:00. Irregular days off
- “Only serves lunch. It’s not fancy but this is a small island. It doesn’t have too many tables. There is English menu ava…”Jessy Cheng · ★4
- “This place is delicious. I’ve so far had very unimpressive okinawa food in Naha but this island knows cuisine. Please no…”daniii · ★4
- “Very nice lunch restaurant! Yesterday we had an amazing lunch here. There are not many restaurants at Hateruma and this …”Daan Versloot · ★5
Checked October 2026
Soki soba (noodles with pork spare rib) at lunch, oden and Awanami awamori (Okinawan spirit) in the evening. One of the few places on Hateruma open for dinner.
12:00-14:00, 18:30-21:00. Closed Tuesdays; closed Sunday evenings
- “Every food is delicious and reasonable :-) Incredible little place, The owner is a great man funny and generous !! His w…”Zuchi Rosato · ★5
- “I had Soki Soba and a black and purple rice ball. It was delicious. It was lunchtime, and there were lots of customers. …”ジルコン · ★5Translated by Google
- “This is an izakaya (Japanese pub) located near Hotel Oceans. It's a family-run place, frequented by regulars from mainla…”Susie 1210 · ★3Translated by Google
Checked October 2026
Kuroshima Island
Known for soba topped with aasa (sea lettuce) from Kuroshima. Zenzai (sweet red bean dessert) is ¥500. Parking for 10 cars.
11:00-15:00. Irregular days off
- “A rustic and very cozy place! owner was super sweet ! I liked the noodle with seaweed. taste amazing :-) really, beautif…”Zuchi Rosato · ★5
- “Stopped here for lunch on a bicycle tour of the island. Staff are friendly and the Yaeyama soba was tasty. Recommend!…”Ian Hunter · ★5
- “I had soba for lunch it made my body warm and filled my stomach after snorkel. Wish I had time to order smoothie to go…”他力本願 · ★5
Checked October 2026