Hi there! ♪ I'm happy every day as long as I have delicious food and drinks! I'm an office worker living in Naha.

When you visit Okinawa as a tourist, how do you spend your evenings? During the day it's scorching hot, but at night, many people are tempted by the tropical breeze and end up going out for some fun.
While Kokusai-dori, with its neon lights that twinkle late into the night like a city that never sleeps, is certainly appealing, this time we'll venture a little further from Kokusai-dori to Sakaemachi Market, a somewhat dubious-looking bar district.

Sakaemachi Market offers a nostalgic atmosphere that makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time to the post-war reconstruction era. Why not take a stroll and explore the deep side of Okinawa?

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of place is Sakaemachi Market?
2. To fully enjoy Sakaemachi Market, let's go "numiacchi" (bar hopping)!
2-1. Hiikiya, a bar specializing in shellfish
2-2. Handmade Dumpling Shop Benriya Yulinglong
2-3. Ichiban Gyoza-ya
2-4. Okinawa Robata Yuunami
2-5. Tomiya Laundry
2-6. Nighttime Soba Noodle Shop Aguri
3. Conclusion

1. What kind of place is Sakaemachi Market?

Sakaemachi Market in Asato, Naha City, is located on the site of the former Okinawa Prefectural Girls' School (Himeyuri Student Corps) before the war. The school building was destroyed in the war, but Sakaemachi was created during the reconstruction with the hope that the area would prosper again.

During the day, Machigwa (the local dialect word for market) is a bustling area packed with fruit and vegetable shops, butcher shops, tofu shops, and tailor shops, but at night it transforms into a vibrant bar district. With countless shops of all sizes lining the streets, it's perfect for a quick drink or bar hopping! This time, we'll tell you all about the charms of Sakaemachi Market, a place that can be enjoyed by friends or even by yourself!

2. To fully enjoy Sakaemachi Market, let's go "numiacchi" (bar hopping)!

Stepping inside the market feels like entering another world! Tables and chairs are set up along the narrow, maze-like streets, and everyone seems to be having a great time.
You might be taken aback by the somewhat mysterious atmosphere, but don't worry. Sakaemachi Market is very friendly, with shopkeepers and customers alike being very close to each other.

Let's raise a glass and say "Ichariba Chode" (Once we meet, we're all brothers and sisters)! Now, let's have a blast!

2-1. Hiikiya, a bar specializing in shellfish

My first recommendation is "Hikiya," a bar specializing in shellfish.

Here you can eat a variety of shellfish gathered from all over Japan.

The menu is ordered from a whiteboard. There are many unusual shellfish available. Everything is reasonably priced, so it might be a good idea to order a few that catch your eye.

I had whelk and plum wine.

This was my first time trying Akashi clams, and they had a crunchy texture and taste just like turban shells. At 500 yen for this amount, it's great value. Even with a 350 yen plum wine on the rocks, the total comes to under 1000 yen. It's the perfect place for a quick drink before exploring the market.

Shellfish specialty bar Hiikiya Address: 379 Asato, Naha City Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 17:00 to 0:00 the following day Sundays and public holidays: 17:00-23:00 Closed on: When shellfish cannot be delivered. *We may close for extended periods during typhoons.

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2-2. Handmade Dumpling Shop Benriya Yulinglong

Next, we visited "Handmade Gyoza Shop Benriya Yulinglong," located on the same street as our first stop, Hiikiya. It's a popular spot, so expect a line, but the turnover is quick, so you can usually get a seat relatively quickly.

However, there are still times when it gets crowded, so this time we had the restaurant next door, "Renge," bring in some pan-fried dumplings (600 yen).
(Note: Some establishments do not allow outside food or drinks, so please be careful.)

The customers in Sakaemachi are generally friendly, but those at Renge are especially friendly. Once you sit down, all sorts of people will strike up a conversation. There's a market information board right near the shop, and if someone stops there looking for the shop, Renge's customers will often approach them and give them directions to the market (laughs).

On this day too, I was approached by a regular customer of Renge, and while chatting, I had finished half of my beer mug when my pan-fried dumplings arrived!

The defining features of Benriya's dumplings are their chewy wrappers and juicy filling. When you bite into one of these small dumplings, the meat juices burst out! (Note: They are piping hot when freshly made, so be careful.)

It's quite a large portion, so it might be a good idea to share it with someone you've become friends with.

Shop name: Handmade dumpling shop Benriya Yulinglong TEL：098-887-7754 Address: 388 Asato, Naha City Hours: 18: 00 ~ 23: 00 Closed: Sunday Shop name: Renge TEL：080-6495-1930 Address: 388-2 Asato, Naha City Hours: 18: 00 ~ 24: 00 Closed: Monday

2-3. Ichiban Gyoza-ya

You might be thinking, "Another gyoza restaurant?" (laughs), but in Sakaemachi, there's another great gyoza restaurant besides the popular "Benriya." That's "Ichiban Gyoza-ya."

It's a relatively new shop in the market, but the interior has a charmingly melancholic atmosphere. Here you can enjoy authentic dumplings made by Chinese staff. Looking at the menu on the counter, I came across this:

Are there any other stores that list nutritional information in such detail? (No, there aren't.)

While we were waiting, the pan-fried dumplings we ordered arrived.

Ten dumplings, slightly larger than those at "Benriya," cost 550 yen. (So cheap!) The bottom is crispy, and the garlic-infused filling is juicy!
Although I didn't order them this time, their boiled dumplings and dumpling soup are also really delicious, so if you're a dumpling lover, you should definitely check it out.

Shop name: Ichiban Gyoza-ya (Takeout available) Address: 388-5 Asato, Naha City TEL：070-5371-8091 Hours: 17: 00 ~ 24: 00 Closed: Monday

2-4. Okinawa Robata Yuunami

Now that the alcohol is starting to kick in, let's take a walk. Even outside the market, there are all sorts of shops around Sakaemachi.

As I strolled towards Daido with the gentleman I'd befriended earlier at "Renge" (who's very familiar with Sakaemachi), we discovered a new shop with a glass facade!

An older gentleman told me that "Yunami," which used to be near Asato Station, has relocated and reopened as "Okinawa Robata Yunami."

The interior of the store is spacious and very clean.
We ordered smoked pickled radish and cheese (380 yen), grilled stingray fin (380 yen), and a vegetable platter (700 yen).

My stomach was pretty full, so I decided to have a light drink while snacking on some small portions of food. Everything was delicious, so the sake (680 yen per 180ml) went down very smoothly.

When I asked for the bill, they served me clam miso soup as a complimentary dish.

Wow, that really hit the spot! Thank you for the wonderful surprise.
Unlike the bustling atmosphere of the market, Okinawa Robata Yuunami is a place I would recommend as the first stop for a girls' night out or a date.

Restaurant name: Okinawa Robata Yuunami Address: 128 Omichi, Naha City TEL：098-885-4777 Business hours: 18:00 to 1:00 the next day Closed holiday: irregular holiday

2-5. Tomiya Laundry

It was getting quite late, and I was feeling pretty drunk. As I was strolling around, I came across a shop with an interesting name.

It says "laundry," but it doesn't seem to be a laundry shop. I was curious, so I went in.

The shop has a retro atmosphere and is a standing bar. Apparently, they just came up with the name "Laundry" on a whim. (laughs) Here's the menu.

They have a wide variety of creative snacks.
When I asked what the seasonal chuhai was, they said it was passion fruit, so I ordered it. (※May change depending on the season)

While sipping on a delicious, tart chuhai, I was trying to decide what snacks to order when a knowledgeable gentleman recommended the "deep-fried tripe" and the "pork terrine."

Crispy fried tripe topped with grated cheese. Take a bite with the accompanying meat sauce... Delicious!! It has such a refined taste. Even after frying, the tripe retains its crunchy texture.

Next, I tried the pork terrine. It had a thick, creamy texture, similar to liver paste, and was absolutely delicious. I savored it slowly, adding the mustard and other condiments provided.

It seems like a newly opened restaurant, and their opening hours are irregular. Nevertheless, I was amazed that they could serve such high-quality snacks! I definitely want to go back again soon.

Store name: Tomiya Laundry Address: 388-13 Asato, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Sakaemachi Rotary Building 103 Business hours: 18:00 to 1:00 the next day Closed holiday: irregular holiday

2-6. Nighttime Soba Noodle Shop Aguri

I'm already full, but there's always room for dessert, so I came here. It's "Yonaki Soba Aguri".

Even though I'm full, the phrase "unlimited noodle refills" still gets me excited (lol).
I wanted something refreshing to finish the meal, so I ordered the "Olive Lemon Salt Soba" (800 yen).

The clear soup is filled with plenty of lemon! With the first sip, the aroma of lemon fills your nose, making it incredibly refreshing. The broth is also rich in flavor, so the noodles absorb the taste perfectly. I added some shrimp oil halfway through to change the flavor and finished every last drop! It was delicious!

Shop name: Yonaki Soba Aguri Address: 388-97 Asato, Naha City TEL：098-886-1230 Opening hours: 18:00 - 1:00 the following day (Lunch service on Sundays only: 12:00 - 18:00) Closed: Monday

3. Conclusion

So, what did you think? Were there any shops that caught your eye?
Sakaemachi Market is located right next to Asato Station on the Yui Rail, making it easily accessible from hotels in the city and perfect for a short sightseeing trip. In addition to the shops introduced here, there are many other shops in and around the market, so we recommend exploring and discovering shops that catch your eye as you go from one to another! Be sure to visit and enjoy the deep and nostalgic atmosphere of Okinawa.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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