10 Best Markets in Okinawa

First Makishi Public Market is located close to Kokusai-dori street. With a history stretching back more than 60 years, this has become a hugely popular place to experience Okinawa's local gastronomy.

The ground floor is full of stores selling fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, processed foods, seasonings, and so on. Upstairs you’ll find a dining area where you can taste Okinawan delicacies, or even enjoy the unique service of having a meal cooked for you with the items you bought downstairs. Due to the age of its original building, it's now operating in a temporary location with new shops scheduled to open soon.

Farmers Market Itoman "Umanchu Market" is a 30-minute drive from the centre of Naha City. It’s located in Itoman City in the southern part of the main island, and it's the first and one of the largest farmers markets in Okinawa Prefecture operated by JA Okinawa.

This market was opened in 2002 based on the concept of local production for local consumption. The name "Umanchu Market" was chosen by a public vote to establish a close relationship with the local population (umanchu means "many people" in the local dialect). Okinawa produces unique agricultural products thanks to its subtropical maritime climate. This is a great place to experience what it has to offer.

In the village of Onna, located on the west coast of the central part of the main island, you’ll find Onna no Eki “Nakayukui Market”. Nakayukui means "a break" in local dialect.

Inside the store, you'll find a full line-up of fresh island vegetables, tropical fruits, processed foods like jams, locally caught seafood, sake made in Okinawa, sweets, and seasonings. Also popular are the 10 food stalls where you can enjoy delicious local dishes like Okinawa soba (noodle with stewed pork belly slices) and kamaboko (boiled fish paste). Located at the side of Onna Sunset Coast Road (National Route 58), a popular driving route, this is the perfect spot to take a short break.

Itoman Fishing Cooperative Fish Center is located right next to Japan's southernmost roadside station at Itoman. It’s directly managed by the local fishing cooperative, with 11 member shops offering fresh fish every day.

It's a popular with locals and tourists for its dining area, where you can taste sushi, and a wide variety of side dishes such as other fish, shrimp, and shellfish. Sashimi is also sold in small portions, so you can buy white or sushi rice and make your own seafood rice bowl right there. This is a must-visit for seafood lovers.

At JA Okinawa Farmers Market "Chanpuru Ichiba" you can get farm-produced foods and seafood direct from the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

The name "Chanpuru" (which means "something mixed" in the local dialect) was selected to represent a market where people could mingle and buy a variety of vegetables. There's certainly a wide variety of freshly picked vegetables waiting for you here, especially in the morning. Mangoes are in season from July to August, and Ama SUN oranges are in season in December. On the 19th of every month, there's an event called "Nutrition Education Day”.

JA Farmers Market Yanbaru is a direct sales store operated by JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) located along National Route 58 in Nago City. Its official name is "Haisai! Yanbaru Market".

It sells fresh products not only from Nago, but also from the villages and towns of Kunigami, Ogimi, Ginoza, Nakijin, and Motobu in the northern part of the main island, an area known locally as "Yanbaru". Yanbaru produces fruits such as shikwasa (Okinawan lime), pineapple, and watermelon. Ogimi village, in particular, declares itself the "Village of Shikwasa". The area is also famous for local specialities such as goga-tea, the earliest shincha (the first picked tea of the year) in Japan, and hanejimai rice, which is produced in two seasons thanks to the warm climate.

Yachimun is an Okinawan word for pottery and Yomitan Yachimun Fair is held every February over a 2-day period. It's one of the largest pottery fairs in Okinawa, with about 20,000 visitors attending over the course of the 2 days.

The village of Yomitan is located in the central part of Okinawa. You’ll find many pottery workshops in the "Yachimun no Sato" part of the village. At this event, which has been going on for more than 20 years, tents are lined up outdoors, and there is a lineup of unique Yachimun of various sizes. Take your time (the Okinawan way) and you'll be sure to find something that speaks to you.

Sunrise Market is held at Sunrise Naha Shopping Street in Naha City. It's held once a month on a Sunday with the concept of "Brightening up your Sundays with a little more fun".

This is a meeting point between producers and consumers where you can buy local products with traceability such as vegetables, fruits, processed foods, breads, sweets, ceramics, textiles, and accessories. There are also stalls where you can taste charming local dishes unique to Okinawa. Take a stroll around and find a bargain or two.

Ryuseika is a spacious greengrocer’s shop located in Okinawa City in the central part of the main island. Its selection of fresh fruit and veg is second to none. Locals love this place for its reasonable prices and lively feel.

You can try tasting some of the fruits and vegetables, and the manager and staff will kindly tell you when it's going to be ready to eat. The shop is full of great deals on everything from island vegetables unique from Okinawa to fruits such as mangoes and shikwasa (Okinawan lime). It's definitely worth popping in here when on a road trip.

Chibana Flea Market is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays and Sundays of each month in the parking area of Chibana Golf Course, operated by the United States military.

On military bases in Okinawa, flea markets are often held to sell household goods, clothing, and appliances at reasonable prices because members of the military and staff don't take them with them when moving to new locations. Given its location in the car park of a golf course, you don’t need any ID to attend. It's an opportunity to enjoy a treasure hunt, perhaps finding antique American tableware or vintage jeans among the items for sale.