Ishigaki Island, blessed with abundant sea, mountains, and nature, offers a wealth of unique island ingredients that are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. These include bitter melon (goya) grown under the abundant sunshine, livestock products such as Ishigaki beef (now popular worldwide), and seafood blessed with the emerald green waters.

While the authentic flavors you can enjoy at restaurants and izakayas are great, did you know that "island bento boxes" made by local islanders are actually quite popular? You can buy island bento boxes at everything from small shops run by grandmothers to convenience stores and supermarkets. When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to give them a try!

Let's learn the basics of island bento boxes!

Every day in the morning, at lunchtime, and in the evening, bento boxes and side dishes begin to appear in the shops throughout Ishigaki Island. This is a sight you can see anywhere in Japan, but because the ingredients used are all sourced only from Ishigaki Island, they are called "Ishigaki Island Bento."

To help you beat the daytime heat, island bento boxes are generally very filling! With a wide variety of options including pork spam, grilled meat from Ishigaki Island, fried fish and seafood, bitter melon, and stir-fries, the prices are very reasonable, ranging from 300 to 500 yen.

Useful tips to know! How to make the most of island bento boxes

Island bento boxes are incredibly appealing, but here's another way to enjoy them! For example, during peak lunch hours and on weekends, restaurants get incredibly crowded, and you might find yourself unable to get into your desired restaurant or disappointed to find your meal sold out. In such cases, buy an island bento box from a local shop or supermarket!

This is highly recommended for those who plan to spend their time enjoying marine sports and activities in the sea or mountains during their stay on Ishigaki Island! Eating an island bento box surrounded by nature offers a level of satisfaction far superior to meals eaten at restaurants or izakayas. Enjoying your favorite bento box while admiring your favorite scenery of Ishigaki Island is sure to create unforgettable memories!

A complete guide to the "island bento" loved by the residents of Ishigaki Island!

Bento box edition

1. Oishōri

"Oishori" is located along the Seedo Line road in Ishigaki Island. As it's a rice shop, the rice is, without a doubt, delicious! What's more, it's a place where you can fill your bento box with as much rice as you want. You can also freely select your side dishes, making it the perfect island bento for those who are hungry or those who just want a little something.

Mackerel and local chicken simmered in vinegar bento box (with mixed grain rice) 490 yen

Deli & Bakery Oishori
585-1 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0022
Phone: 0980-87-0081

2. "Sakura," a bento and soba noodle shop.

Located east of Yaeyama Agricultural and Forestry High School, "Sakura" is incredibly popular because every item comes with a small bowl of soba noodles and costs only 350 yen! While other places charge 500-600 yen, Sakura offers a wide variety of options and satisfying portions. It's a beloved island bento shop, even among local high school students.

Chicken Nanban Bento (with small soba soup) 350 yen

From left to right: Katsu-toji Bento, Kimchi Bento, Pork Mayo Bento (each with a small bowl of soba soup) 350 yen

Sakura, a shop specializing in bento boxes and soba noodles
1231-1 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0004
Phone: 0980-82-1229

3. Ishigaki Island Akashi Agricultural Products Direct Sales Outlet

This is a bento box from the Ishigaki Island Akashi Agricultural Products Direct Sales Store, located in the Akashi settlement in the northeastern part of Ishigaki Island, famous for the Akashi Shokudo restaurant, which requires reservations to get in. The store is easily recognizable as it is a unique building designed to resemble an old Ishigaki Island house. It is also located next to the Akashi Observatory Park, where you can see the sunrise and sunset, and is often used as a rest stop for drivers or for business travelers on long trips.

They offer a variety of bento boxes that change daily, especially the "Fish and Island Vegetable Bento (400 yen)" made using local island ingredients. If you become friendly with the lady who runs the place, you might get some extra treats!

Bento box featuring local ingredients: 390 yen

Ishigaki Island Akashi Agricultural Products Direct Sales Store
Location: Akashi, Ishigaki City (Akashi Observatory)
Phone number: None

Chicken Edition

4. Nickname

"Adanasu" is located across from the former JA Ohama branch in Ohama, Ishigaki City. The most popular item at this shop is the "Adanasu Chicken," which is incredibly large! It's about the size of a plastic bottle. Along with this chicken, the shop is very popular for its side dishes and bento boxes, making it one of the best recommended shops for island bento.

Adanasu Fried Chicken 120 yen

Nickname
495-1 Ohama, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0001
0980-82-8051

5. Tropical House

Located near the Omoto Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Okinawa, is "Tropical House," a restaurant famous for its fried chicken! Locals especially refer to it as "the last bento shop" when driving north, and always stop by when making a long trip. Now it's also gaining popularity as a hidden gem among tourists!

Tropical House Fried Chicken 120 yen

Tropical House
2075-62 Ohama, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0001
0980-83-0712

Extra edition

6. Hot Tomotto

Although it's a nationwide chain of bento shops, their bento boxes made with local island ingredients are very popular. They offer island bento boxes loved by locals, such as Spam (pork) and bitter melon bento, and Aasa soup! The fact that they have so many bento boxes that you can only taste here is one of the unique charms of Ishigaki Island.

Bitter melon bento box: 460 yen

Hotto Motto Ishigaki Yashima Store
530-5 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0004
0980-83-9552

7. MaxValu

Surprisingly, MaxValu, a nationwide chain, is known for its delicious, generously portioned, and affordable meals! Prices start at a very reasonable 298 yen, yet they offer substantial portions. Even a MaxValu bento box feels like a treat when enjoyed while taking in this view!

Mixed fried food bento box: 298 yen

MaxValu Yaima
〒907-0002 292-1 Maori, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
0980-83-2829

Final thoughts

What do you think? When you come to Ishigaki Island, it's great to go to restaurants serving Yaeyama soba, local cuisine, and Ishigaki beef, but these island bento boxes, loved by the locals, will also give you a real feel for Ishigaki Island and make for a fantastic meal!

When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to grab your favorite "island bento" (lunchbox) and enjoy the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere while admiring the beautiful scenery!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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