Shopping in Okinawa | Where to Find Covered Markets & Fashion Streets
Shopping in Okinawa is a fun experience that even non-shoppers enjoy. Many of the island’s most popular shopping malls, markets and districts are in the capital city of Naha, or just on the city’s outskirts. Travelers looking for authentic Okinawan handicrafts, souvenir Kariyushi shirts and traditional Japanese food will find plenty to fill their bags at any of these top shopping spots in Okinawa.
1. Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street
This palm tree-lined street is as pleasant for strolling as it is for shopping. Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street runs through the center of Naha and features hundreds of local shops, souvenir stores, upscale fashion boutiques and plenty of restaurants and cafés. Kokusai means “international,” so this street features a little bit of everything. Tourists who happen to be in the area on Sundays should go to Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street between noon and 6 p.m. when a section of the street is closed to traffic so that local performers can put on traditional dance and fire-eating shows!
Can’t-miss shops on Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street
- Don Quijote International Street – quirky souvenirs and necessities
- First Makishi Public Market – fresh seafood and made-to-order Japanese food
- Paikaji Kokusai Street – izakaya restaurant with traditional Okinawan musical performances
- Yappari Steak – affordable steakhouse with authentic Okinawan dishes and flavors
- Live House Shimauta – live music venue with traditional Okinawan dance performances
- Tenbusu Naha – performing arts theater with occasional free outdoor shows
How to get there: Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Office (Kencho-Mae) Station are at the west end of the shopping street, and Makishi Station is at the east entrance. Alternately, Miebashi Station is a 10-minute walk to the central section of Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street, and by going this way, sightseers can squeeze in a stroll through Midorigaoka Park.
2. Heiwa Dori Shopping Street (Peace Street)
Toward the east end of Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street shoppers will find Heiwa Dori Shopping Street, or Peace Street, a smaller and more compact covered avenue packed with bargain shops. Heiwa Dori Shopping Street offers a truly traditional shopping experience, and visitors can find many unique local items like herbal teas, spices, handmade clothing and awamori, Okinawa’s unique blend of rice whiskey.
How to get there: Makishi Station is a 5-minute walk away
3. Tsuboya Pottery Street (Tsuboya Yachimun Street)
From Peace Street, sightseers can continue walking south (past First Makishi Public Market) where they’ll wander onto Tsuboya Pottery Street. The area is immediately recognizable by cobblestone streets and pottery shops lining the streets. While each piece is created with indigenous clay, some shops specialize in traditional pottery, and others sell modern designs and specialty creations. Visitors who want to learn more about the history of the area should visit nearby Naha Municipal Tsuboya Pottery Museum.
How to get there: a 4-minute walk from Heiwa Dori Shopping Street or an 8-minute walk from Makishi Station
FIND AFFORDABLE RYOKANS IN NAHA
4. American Village
About 30 minutes northeast of Naha in Chatan Town is where visitors to Okinawa will find American Village. This seaside themed shopping district was created as a reminder of home for soldiers stationed at US military bases in the area. Guests will find American-style shops and restaurants as well as Sunset Beach, a covered pavilion area with a sweet view of the ocean. American Village makes a great shopping spot for groups and families, as the neighborhood contains a cinema, bowling alley, arcade and the only Ferris wheel in Okinawa.
How to get there: grab a taxi, or if you’re driving, stay on Highway 58 through Naha
FIND BEACHFRONT HOTELS IN NAHA
5. Umikaji Terrace Senagajima
Travelers landing at Naha Airport can go straight to this circular shopping district that takes up most of Senaga Island. Umikaji Terrace Senagajima is popular for its upscale boutiques and beachfront restaurants, and it’s also a great spot to watch the sun set and catch live performances by local musicians.
How to get there: take a free shuttle bus from Akamine Station. Shuttles leave every 30 minutes, and the trip to Umikaji Terrace Senagajima takes 15 minutes.
6. Okinawa shopping malls
It’s true some of the best places for shopping in Okinawa are local markets and novelty shops, but tourists shouldn’t overlook Okinawa’s modern malls. Shopping malls in Okinawa are great places to escape the afternoon heat and find activities to please families and groups.
Popular shopping malls in Okinawa
FIND AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN NAHA
Check In to a hotel in Naha
Tokyo Daiichi Hotel Naha City Resort
Step Out to Okinawa
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Shopping in Okinawa is a fun experience that even non-shoppers enjoy. Many of the island’s most popular shopping malls, markets and districts are in the capital city of Naha, or just on the city’s outskirts. Travelers looking for authentic Okinawan handicrafts, souvenir Kariyushi shirts and traditional Japanese food will find plenty to fill their bags at any of these top shopping spots in Okinawa.
1. Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street
This palm tree-lined street is as pleasant for strolling as it is for shopping. Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street runs through the center of Naha and features hundreds of local shops, souvenir stores, upscale fashion boutiques and plenty of restaurants and cafés. Kokusai means “international,” so this street features a little bit of everything. Tourists who happen to be in the area on Sundays should go to Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street between noon and 6 p.m. when a section of the street is closed to traffic so that local performers can put on traditional dance and fire-eating shows!
Can’t-miss shops on Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street
- Don Quijote International Street – quirky souvenirs and necessities
- First Makishi Public Market – fresh seafood and made-to-order Japanese food
- Paikaji Kokusai Street – izakaya restaurant with traditional Okinawan musical performances
- Yappari Steak – affordable steakhouse with authentic Okinawan dishes and flavors
- Live House Shimauta – live music venue with traditional Okinawan dance performances
- Tenbusu Naha – performing arts theater with occasional free outdoor shows
How to get there: Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Office (Kencho-Mae) Station are at the west end of the shopping street, and Makishi Station is at the east entrance. Alternately, Miebashi Station is a 10-minute walk to the central section of Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street, and by going this way, sightseers can squeeze in a stroll through Midorigaoka Park.
2. Heiwa Dori Shopping Street (Peace Street)
Toward the east end of Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street shoppers will find Heiwa Dori Shopping Street, or Peace Street, a smaller and more compact covered avenue packed with bargain shops. Heiwa Dori Shopping Street offers a truly traditional shopping experience, and visitors can find many unique local items like herbal teas, spices, handmade clothing and awamori, Okinawa’s unique blend of rice whiskey.
How to get there: Makishi Station is a 5-minute walk away
3. Tsuboya Pottery Street (Tsuboya Yachimun Street)
From Peace Street, sightseers can continue walking south (past First Makishi Public Market) where they’ll wander onto Tsuboya Pottery Street. The area is immediately recognizable by cobblestone streets and pottery shops lining the streets. While each piece is created with indigenous clay, some shops specialize in traditional pottery, and others sell modern designs and specialty creations. Visitors who want to learn more about the history of the area should visit nearby Naha Municipal Tsuboya Pottery Museum.
How to get there: a 4-minute walk from Heiwa Dori Shopping Street or an 8-minute walk from Makishi Station
FIND AFFORDABLE RYOKANS IN NAHA
4. American Village
About 30 minutes northeast of Naha in Chatan Town is where visitors to Okinawa will find American Village. This seaside themed shopping district was created as a reminder of home for soldiers stationed at US military bases in the area. Guests will find American-style shops and restaurants as well as Sunset Beach, a covered pavilion area with a sweet view of the ocean. American Village makes a great shopping spot for groups and families, as the neighborhood contains a cinema, bowling alley, arcade and the only Ferris wheel in Okinawa.
How to get there: grab a taxi, or if you’re driving, stay on Highway 58 through Naha
FIND BEACHFRONT HOTELS IN NAHA
5. Umikaji Terrace Senagajima
Travelers landing at Naha Airport can go straight to this circular shopping district that takes up most of Senaga Island. Umikaji Terrace Senagajima is popular for its upscale boutiques and beachfront restaurants, and it’s also a great spot to watch the sun set and catch live performances by local musicians.
How to get there: take a free shuttle bus from Akamine Station. Shuttles leave every 30 minutes, and the trip to Umikaji Terrace Senagajima takes 15 minutes.
6. Okinawa shopping malls
It’s true some of the best places for shopping in Okinawa are local markets and novelty shops, but tourists shouldn’t overlook Okinawa’s modern malls. Shopping malls in Okinawa are great places to escape the afternoon heat and find activities to please families and groups.
Popular shopping malls in Okinawa
FIND AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN NAHA
Check In to a hotel in Naha
Tokyo Daiichi Hotel Naha City Resort
Step Out to Okinawa
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