Ukishima Street is located right in the middle of Kokusai Street, a popular tourist spot. Although there are signs, a quick glance reveals nothing more than a narrow, one-way street...

That's not the case!

Ukishima Street is currently a trendy area packed with unique and carefully curated shops that are attracting attention from both within and outside the prefecture. It would be a real shame to be fooled by the unassuming entrance and just walk right past it!
For those with discerning tastes, we'll introduce you to the many charms of Ukishima Street, a hidden gem in Okinawa!

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of place is Ukishima Street?
2. Souvenir shopping on Ukishima Street
2-1. T-shirt | Ryukyu Piras
2-2. Bags and Accessories | MIMURI
2-3. Accessories | Okinawan Handmade Silverwork
3. Take a break on Ukishima Street
3-1. Ryukyuan Confectionery and Japanese Sweets | Nanto Seika
3-2. Restaurant｜faidama
4. Tips for exploring & access
5. A town of exceptional products and smiles

1. What kind of place is Ukishima Street?

Ukishima Street is a narrow street, about 600 meters long, that extends from Kokusai Street towards Tsuboya.
It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from one end of the street to the other, and only 3 minutes by car.

However, this small area is dotted with a wide variety of shops!
You can find clothing, general goods, accessories, interior decor, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Because it's close to Makishi Public Market, it's characterized by having many traditional shops.

Yes, it's a wonderfully charming sense of clutter.

Now, let's get started and introduce some shops perfect for a stop during your trip along Ukishima Street, which is lined with many unique and distinctive stores!

2. Souvenir shopping on Ukishima Street

Ukishima Street has many shops where you can find unique souvenirs that are different from what others have.
This time, we'll introduce three shops where you can find "exceptional items that are uniquely Okinawan"!

　2-1. T-shirt | Ryukyu Piras

First, I headed to "Ryukyu Piras" to look for a stylish T-shirt, a must-have for summer.
This shop offers T-shirts designed by artists active in Okinawa!

Even though we use the single term "artist," there are many different genres.
The lineup includes a diverse range of artists, from painters and illustrators to photographers, leather craftsmen, ceramic artists, and many more.

With so many artists from different genres, it's inevitable that there will be a wide variety of T-shirts available.
One of the joys of this shop is searching for your favorite item among the many pieces lined up on the shelves.

Apparently, it's quite common to pick up several T-shirts you like and realize, "They're all by the same artist!"

According to the staff
"There's no single recommendation, so just pick up the design you like best. If you find an artist you like, it's fun to follow their work while you're traveling!"

I see! A trip focused on enjoying art sounds like a great idea sometimes.
The store also carries some of the artists' main works. You can look at their artwork and then look for a T-shirt, or you can look at T-shirts and then look for artwork.

This shop offers something special: "It's not just about buying something and being done with it; there's something else to look forward to."

[Ryukyu Piras]
■ Business hours: 11: 00-19: 00
■ Regular holiday: Fixed holiday
■ TEL: 098-863-6050
■Address: 2-5-36 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■HP:http://www.ryukyu-piras.com/

　2-2. Bags and Accessories | MIMURI

Next, we headed to "MIMURI" to look for colorful items that are typical of Okinawa.
Here you'll find a variety of delightful items, including bags, wallets, pouches, card cases, and more—all the kind of things that will brighten up your everyday life!

Stepping into the shop, you're greeted by a world of vibrant, vitamin-rich colors—pink, orange, yellow, green... just looking at them is enough to lift your spirits! The fabrics, designed with motifs from Okinawa, are truly tropical magic.

"Since they're handmade, each piece has a slightly different feel depending on how the fabric is cut. Please pick one up and enjoy the differences!" designer MIMURI told us with a smile.

Hmm...the more I look at it, the more confused I become. Maybe this is tropical magic.
You can spend a delightfully tranquil time under the watchful eye of the shop's resident cat, whose eyes are as beautiful as the Okinawan sea.

This shop is recommended not only for those looking for a souvenir for themselves, but also for men, as buying a gift for your girlfriend or mother is sure to boost your "cool guy points"!

【MIMURI】
■ Business hours: 11: 00-19: 00
■Regular closing day: Thursday (occasional irregular closures)
■ TEL: 050-1122-4516
■Address: 2-7-8 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■HP:http://www.mimuri.com/

2-3. Accessories | Okinawan Handmade Silverwork

For our third stop, we headed to "Okinawa Handmade Silverwork Ryu" in search of stylish items that are simple yet profound.

This shop, which opened in November 2015, offers meticulously handcrafted silver accessories. The designs are stylish and effortlessly chic, appealing to all genders and ages.

"Each item is handcrafted from scratch, using only the finest materials. Therefore, no two are exactly alike!"
As the owner told me this, one of his creations was about to be born.

Knowing that each one is made individually like this makes them feel even more special.

There are items with various designs, but if you're looking for a souvenir that's uniquely Okinawan, the "Yaeyama Minsaa pattern" series is a great choice. The Minsaa pattern symbolizes "being together forever," so it's also recommended for couples or married couples to wear as matching items!

This is a special souvenir that will allow you to feel the warmth of Okinawa even after you return from your trip.

[Okinawan Handmade Silverwork Ryukyu]
■ Business hours: 12: 30-18: 00
■Regular closing days: Tuesday and Wednesday
■ TEL: 098-959-0758
■Address: 2-19-1 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■HP:http://ryu-silver.jimdo.com/

3. Take a break on Ukishima Street

After a stroll around, it's time for a little break.
From among the many cozy spots on Ukishima Street, I'd like to introduce some long-established shops and newly opened stores!

　3-1. Ryukyuan Confectionery and Japanese Sweets | Nanto Seika

First, we head to Minamijima Seika, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop that has been in business for 81 years on Ukishima Street.
Here, you can enjoy traditional Okinawan sweets and familiar Japanese confections, all made with the same flavors that have been preserved since the shop's founding!

My top recommendation is the large "Konpen" (120 yen including tax), which is about the size of your palm.
Konpen is a traditional Okinawan confection that has been loved for generations.

There are many products called "konpen" in the prefecture, but what distinguishes Minamijima Confectionery's product is that it is made using a simple bean paste filling made only from sesame seeds, brown sugar, and sugar, a recipe that has remained unchanged since before the war.

With just one bite, you're greeted with the wonderfully fragrant aroma of sesame seeds!
This is a must-try for anyone who has never eaten konpen before!

Other items perfect for a break include "Karukan" (100 yen including tax), which is made from flour milled in-house, and "Omanju" (120 yen including tax), which has captivated bean paste lovers with its "unbelievable amount of bean paste!"

"I want to continue making sweets that people can say, 'I can eat this with peace of mind,' and 'These are the most delicious,'" said the fourth-generation owner, who was entrusted with running the shop at a young age.
Seeing the bright smile and the dedication of the fourth-generation owner, I felt I understood why Minamijima Confectionery continues to be so beloved.

A taste you can only experience by coming here. This is undoubtedly a famous restaurant on Ukishima Street!

[Nanto Confectionery]
■Business Hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 19:00
Sun 10:00-17:00
■Closed: New Year's Day (first three days of the year)
■ TEL: 098-863-3717
■Address: 2-11-28 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

　3-2. Restaurant｜faidama

Just around the corner from "Okinawa Handmade Silverwork Ryu" and walking about 10 steps further you'll find "faidama," a restaurant that just opened in April 2016.
Contrary to what you might imagine from the word "cafeteria," it has a bright, open, and stylish atmosphere!

The menu offers four main categories of food: meat, fish, vegetables, and Okinawan soba noodles.
I was amazed by their dedication to using the "most delicious" vegetables and local produce of each season, and changing the menu every two weeks!

On this day, encouraged by the owner's words, "There are plenty of Okinawan soba restaurants, but Yaeyama soba is rare in Naha!", I ordered the "Yaeyama soba and Piipazu Jushi set meal (900 yen excluding tax)".

By the way, the set meal comes with an appetizer. On this day, it was three dishes made with plenty of Okinawan vegetables.
Apparently, the carrots used are actually grown by the owner's father!

The noodles, which are air-shipped from a noodle factory on Ishigaki Island, and the broth made with pork bones, bonito, chicken, and vegetables, are undeniably delicious. The juicy rice dish, made with pipazu (island pepper), is another dish whose refreshing aroma stimulates the appetite.

Okinawa soba is a dish you'll want to try at least once during your trip, but if you're unsure which restaurant to go to, head to Faidama. I guarantee it's an absolutely delicious meal that's well worth the trip!

By the way, they have a great selection of desserts and drinks, so it's also recommended to stop by for a snack!

The store also features a deli counter where you can take items to go, and a souvenir corner showcasing the best of Okinawa. You can even purchase vegetables grown by the owner's father, aptly named "Chichiharu" (Father's Field)!

"I hope you can take your time and enjoy delicious food."
"Come and experience the island's colors and breeze! We want to create a shop that will be enjoyed by both tourists and locals."

I was also touched by the warm personalities of the owner couple who spoke to me in that way.
This restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere that satisfies not only your stomach but also your soul. Welcomed by the smiles of the owner couple, you'll feel completely satisfied, thinking, "I'm so glad I came to Okinawa!"

【faidama】
■ Business hours: 11: 00-19: 00
■Closed on: Mondays and Tuesdays
■ TEL: 098-953-2616
■Address: 2-12-14-1F Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82faidama-941501365957144/

4. Tips for exploring & access

As mentioned earlier, there are various shops scattered along Ukishima Street.
If you want to fully enjoy your stroll, I highly recommend picking up free pamphlets such as "NAHA ARTMAP" and "Ukishima Street" which are distributed at various shops along Ukishima Street!

One of the charms of Ukishima Street is the welcoming atmosphere, where every shopkeeper will say, "Please feel free to ask us anything!" Before you start your stroll, why not step through the doors of some of the shops?

Also, Ukishima Street is one-way, so you cannot enter it by car from the Kokusai Street side!
It's best to park near Kokusai Street or Makishi Public Market and explore on foot. There are also several parking lots along Ukishima Street, so if you're driving, make good use of them.

[Access]
■If walking (walking along Kokusai Street)
Approximately 12 minutes from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail.
Approximately 10 minutes from Yui Rail's "Miebashi Station".
Approximately 10 minutes from Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail.

■In the case of a car
From Naha Airport to the area around Kokusai Street via National Route 58, the journey takes approximately 15 minutes.

5. A town of exceptional products and smiles

I had heard that there were many shops catering to discerning customers, so I worried that "some of them might be too upscale!", but those worries turned out to be unfounded.
These are all shops where you're warmly welcomed with a smile, and where enjoyable conversations naturally begin...that's the kind of atmosphere they offer!

It's strange, but the more time you spend here, the more you start to feel affection for the "chaotic" atmosphere created by the various shops lining the streets.

Ukishima Street is a place you'll want to visit again and again. Why not go and experience its charm for yourself?

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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