Shopping on Kokusai Street is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Okinawa.
Sometimes, while enjoying a fun shopping trip, you get a little hungry, but you don't want to go into a cafe or restaurant.

In times like these, enjoy shopping with some easy-to-eat, portable food in hand!

From newly opened shops to simple Okinawan sweets, we'll introduce some recommended street food options between Makishi Station and Kencho-mae Station!
How about some delicious food to accompany your wonderful trip?

<Table of Contents>
1. Fontana Gelate
2. Okinawa Island Store
3. Kurtos kalacs
4. Beniimo Ryudo - Sweet Potato Specialty Shop
5. The charm of travel lies in walking and eating!

Fontana Gelate is located about a 5-minute walk from Makishi Station.
The shop, which opened in January 2015, is easily recognizable by its tropical sign painted across a wall of blue reminiscent of the Okinawan sea.

As the name suggests, the display case is filled with a colorful array of gelato!
They always have around 16 kinds of gelato available, with a wide variety ranging from those made with Okinawan fruits to seasonal flavors.

What's more, everything is handmade by the owner and made in the gelato workshop located on the second floor of the shop!

The cup I was handed was also stylish, matching the shop's blue sign.
(*You can choose between a "cup" or a "cone" when ordering. Single: 380 yen, Double: 430 yen (both prices include tax))

On this day, I tried the Okinawan-style "purple sweet potato" flavor and the "mixed berry" flavor recommended by the staff. Incidentally, the most popular flavor is apparently "mango."

The "Purple Sweet Potato" flavor exceeded expectations, with a comforting, gentle sweetness that evokes the feeling of Okinawa. The "Mixed Berry" features rich milk gelato topped with plenty of sweet and tart berries. If you're undecided, this is the one to choose.

The flavors change every season, so there's always something new to discover at this shop!
Walking down Kokusai Street with a delicious gelato in hand is sure to lift your spirits.

【Detailed information】
<Fontana Gelate>
■TEL: 098-866-7819
■Address:2-5-36 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, 1F
■Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 22:30 PM
■Regular closing days: None
■Other: There is an eat-in area inside the souvenir shop on the 1st floor.

When it comes to food you want to eat in Okinawa...it has to be mango. And if you want to eat some exquisite mango on Kokusai Street, I highly recommend Okinawa Island Store.

Located about a minute's walk from Makishi Public Market, this shop just opened in November 2015, and what immediately catches the eye is, that's right! Mango, mango, mango!

The menu features desserts made with plenty of golden mango pulp.
On this day, I tried the popular "Mango Fruit Soft Serve Ice Cream / 680 yen (tax included)," which the staff also highly recommended.

I was already almost knocked out by the amazing mango I sampled and the handsome staff member, but I waited for the finished product to be ready.
Here are the popular menu items that caught our attention.

It's as if you can hear a "boom!" sound effect.
The rich ice cream, which tastes just like eating a real mango, combined with the juicy mango pulp, creates a truly blissful flavor.

This is truly Okinawa! It's no wonder that there are lines outside the store during peak hours.

By the way, if you stop by Okinawa Island Store, the souvenirs you absolutely must get are "Platz Brown Sugar Peanut, Sesame & Cinnamon / 583 yen (tax included)" and "Platz Brown Sugar Coconut / 540 yen (tax included)".
This is a sweet treat made with brown sugar, and currently, it's a rare item that can only be purchased at Coco Okinawa Island Store. It pairs perfectly with tea or coffee, making it ideal for a break time!
If you're looking for a unique souvenir that stands out from the crowd, this is the place for you.

【Detailed information】
<Okinawa Island Store>
■TEL: 098-861-9267
■Address:1-3-62 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 22:00 PM
■Other: There are benches near the store.

If you smell a delicious aroma coming from somewhere in the middle of Kokusai Street, it's a sign that you're close to Kurtos kalacs.

This is a "Kurtosh specialty shop" that opened in August 2015. Apparently, "Kurtosh" is a very popular pastry in the Czech Republic.

Kurtosh comes in flavors such as cinnamon, coconut, and cheese. Each one costs 450 yen (tax included).
For an extra 100 yen, you can add a dip made with marshmallows or whipped cream.
On this day, I decided on the popular "Coconut" menu item.
After placing your order in the charming shop, which resembles a European kitchen, you'll have to wait a short while.

While you wait for it to be ready, you can watch the kurtoss being baked through the glass... and it's quite enjoyable, making you forget about the time.
And here it is, the long-awaited freshly baked treat.

The hollow Kurtoss is eaten by unraveling it from one end in a spiral motion.
Crispy dough, crunchy coconut, and chewy... All these different textures come together in your mouth, and it's definitely addictive!

Because it's not too sweet, it's a handy snack that's perfect for when you're feeling a little hungry.

【Detailed information】
<Kurtos kalacs>
■TEL: 098-917-5119
■Address:Matsuha, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 2-1-2
■Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 22:00 PM
■Regular closing days: None
■Other: Benches available inside and outside the store on the 1st floor / Cafe space on the 2nd floor
Homepage http://kurtos-bb.com/71302/

When you can see the Okinawa Prefectural Government building, you're almost at the finish line on Kokusai Street. Let's finish off with some simple Okinawan sweets!
The place I went to was "Beniimo Ryudo," located in front of the Washita Shop Kokusai-dori store.

This shop is open only during the autumn and winter seasons, from November to March, and serves sweets made with purple sweet potato. (Note: From April to October, it transforms into a shop specializing in mangoes.)

Even though we simply say "purple sweet potato," there are many different varieties. One of the charms of Beniimo Ryudo is that you can enjoy sweets made with "Benimurasaki," which is said to be particularly delicious among them.

Even in Okinawa's warm winter, a chilly wind blows in the mornings and evenings. That's when warm sweets are a welcome treat.

So, on this day, I had "Baked Purple Sweet Potato" and "Purple Sweet Potato Feelings." First, I tried the baked sweet potato, which lets you enjoy the deliciousness of purple sweet potato as is.

When you break open the fluffy sweet potato, you'll see a vibrant purple color!
This rich, sticky, and intensely sweet treat is an exquisite dessert that can only be enjoyed in Okinawa.
And another warming sweet treat is "Beniimo no Kimochi" (Purple Sweet Potato Feelings).

As the tagline "Grilled mochi that melts in your mouth in 10 seconds" suggests, this mochi is incredibly chewy and gooey.
The sweet potato dough is filled with sweet red bean paste, giving it a gentle sweetness. It's a truly delicious sweet potato dessert that you can appreciate precisely because of its simplicity.
This shop offers simple, heartwarming Okinawan-style handy foods that will warm your heart.

【Detailed information】
<Beniimo Ryudo Washita Shop>
■TEL: 098-861-1947
■Address:JA Dream Hall 1F, 3-2-22 Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 22:00 PM
■Regular closing days: None
■Other: There are benches near the store.
Homepage　http://beniimo.ryudogroup.com/

"Here, have this too. It's a token of my appreciation. It's on the house."
"Since you just ate something sweet, please try this to cleanse your palate!"
"Are you enjoying Okinawa?"
When you're walking and eating on Kokusai Street, all sorts of people will strike up a conversation with you like that.
And before you know it, you're engrossed in "yuntaku" (chatting) and have completely lost track of time.

Kokusai Street isn't just a place to find delicious food or souvenirs. It's a place where the warmth of Okinawa is truly palpable!
Spending some time leisurely strolling along Kokusai Street, enjoying street food and snacks, is sure to create some unforgettable travel memories.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Rakuten Travel
• Jalan net