Located in the Euglena Mall in the city center of Ishigaki, the Ishigaki Island Public Market is a massive three-story market that combines the sale of Ishigaki Island's local products with restaurants.

Ishigaki Island Public Market is a popular spot for locals, like a kitchen for them, and a great place for tourists to find souvenirs.
Let us introduce you to the charm of this market, which contains "everything you need to know about Ishigaki Island"!

<Table of Contents>
1. What is the Ishigaki Island Public Market?
2. Reporting from Ishigaki Island Public Market ♪ Introducing recommended products
3. Ichiba Shokudo
4. Finally

*The prices mentioned in this article are based on information from September 2016 and may have changed since then.

1. What is the Ishigaki Island Public Market?

The public market began in 1899 (Meiji 32), when a market selling fish and other goods was established south of the current Yaeyama Post Office.
Later, in 1904 (Meiji 37), it moved to its current location as a public market, which was developed as a village-run public market and has supported the lives of the people ever since.

It's currently located inside the Euglena Mall, an arcade shopping center, and you can always hear the cheerful calls of the elderly woman who sells her goods on the street♪

The street level and semi-basement floors sell fresh fruits, seafood, and meat; the second floor houses the "Ishigaki City Specialty Products Sales Center"; and the third floor houses "Ichiba Shokudo," where you can enjoy home-style Ishigaki Island cuisine.
This public market, consisting of three floors, boasts the best selection of goods on the island and is an attractive spot where you can also enjoy a meal!

2. Reporting from Ishigaki Island Public Market ♪ Introducing recommended products

First up, the street vendors at the public market in Euglena Mall are a real eye-catcher!

2-1, Cut Fruit

Fruits, souvenirs, and other items are sold on the street level of the public market.
Among them, I found some that had been cut up, such as star fruit, pineapple, and dragon fruit.
It contains a variety of unusual tropical fruits, and since it's already cut, you can eat it right away! Plus, it's only 200 yen, which is a great deal!

2-2, Natural Mozuku

Mozuku seaweed grown in the clean seawater of Ishigaki Island has a great texture and is very delicious, making it a recommended souvenir!
Around springtime, you often see people gathering mozuku seaweed on the beach, and it can be preserved for quite a long time if you salt it.
In Ishigaki Island, it is a popular ingredient among locals, often used in tempura or vinegared dishes.

Next, we headed to the semi-basement floor where a row of fresh fish and meat shops were located.

2-3, Ishigaki beef

Let's head down to the semi-basement. Sirloin steak in the Ishigaki beef section at Kinjo Reito!
Ishigaki beef, renowned for its tender texture, is a brand of beef from Ishigaki Island. The marbling is beautiful...♡
Three sirloin steaks for ¥15,000! Perfect for those who want to enjoy the luxurious, high-quality beef from Ishigaki Island in the comfort of their own home!

2-4, Spiny lobster

Found it at Manna Fish Market!
Have you ever seen such a giant spiny lobster?
These spiny lobsters, raised in the rich waters of Ishigaki Island, are truly magnificent... Their colorful patterns are so typical of the tropics!
In addition, there are many other colorful and unusual fish on display, so it's fun just to look at them!

I'm going to check out the Ishigaki City Specialty Products Sales Center on the second floor!

2-5, Fresh Chinsuko

This popular product is a new type of chinsuko (Okinawan shortbread) with a unique texture, devised by Chef Harada of Ishigaki Island's Delicious Food and Cuisine Hana after two years of trial and error.
The ingredients used for this chinsuko are the same as before, but our unique blend creates an exquisite sweet treat with a melt-in-your-mouth texture! We also recommend our moist chinsuko.

2-6, Kawahira Farm Gift Set

We sell gift sets containing jams and juices made from passion fruit, mangoes, and other fruits grown on our farm in Kawadaira.
Taking fruit home as a souvenir can be difficult due to the difficulty in maintaining freshness, but Kawahira Farm's products are highly recommended because you can enjoy their rich and natural flavors!
The labels are stylish and cute, making them sure to be a welcome souvenir!

2-7, Yaeyama Minsa

Yaeyama Minsa is a type of textile from the Yaeyama region, and its five and four woven patterns symbolize the wish for "forever and ever (five) generations (four)."
Even today, it remains a beloved traditional craft, appearing in various forms such as tapestries and placemats.

2-8, Ohoho and Milk-sama

These two masks can be seen at festivals and on the walls of shops in Ishigaki Island.
Ohoho refers to a foreigner who visited Yaeyama in the past, a comical character who only ever said "Ohoho." Miruku-sama refers to Maitreya Bodhisattva, who in Yaeyama has been worshipped as a god who came from the sacred island of Nirai Kanai and brings abundant harvests.

3. Ichiba Shokudo

Image provided by: Ishigaki City Specialty Products Promotion Association

Located on the third floor, "Ichiba Shokudo" is a restaurant proud of its local cuisine!
After enjoying shopping at the public market, you can have lunch or take a break within the facility, which is very convenient!
If you'd like to enjoy fresh ingredients purchased at the market right there, you can bring them in and have them cooked for you.

Image provided by: Ishigaki City Specialty Products Promotion Association
Recommended local cuisine set meal: ¥1,500

Image provided by: Ishigaki City Specialty Products Promotion Association
Goya Champuru Set Meal ¥750

4. Finally

Starting as a small market selling fish, the Ishigaki City Public Market has grown into a massive market offering a wide variety of Yaeyama's specialty products while supporting the livelihoods of the people, and continues to attract many visitors today.
If you're looking for delicious food and souvenirs unique to Ishigaki Island, be sure to visit the public market!

Basic information: Ishigaki Island Public Market
【Street address】208 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
[Phone number] 0980-88-8633 (Ishigaki City Specialty Products Promotion Association)
[Business Hours] 9: 00-21: 00
[Parking] Paid parking is available nearby.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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