Itomaaru is a facility that was renovated and reopened in 2020 from the public market in Itoman City, which opened in 1955.
Itoman City is a region in Okinawa Prefecture where traditional events such as Harei festivals and tug-of-war are still held on a large scale, and where the good old culture remains strong. However, in recent years, development and improvement have been progressing rapidly, and the townscape has changed dramatically, but the area around Itoman Fishing Port where Itomaaru is located still retains much of its old townscape.
It has the atmosphere of a place where locals relax, so if you're tired of the bustling tourist spots, it might be a good place to stop by for a break.

1. Introducing the shops inside Itomaaru Hall

On the Sunday I visited, many shops were closed, and there were very few people. Apparently, there was an event nearby, and some shops were setting up stalls there, but since many shops are closed on Sundays and Mondays, it seems that weekdays are generally busier. The lineup of shops wasOfficial websitePlease check it out.

The central hall of the building serves as a dining area, surrounded by rows of shops.

The whales on the wall are photographs taken by underwater photographer Yasuaki Kagi off the coast of Itoman City.

The store entrance is open, which is great because you can easily browse the products. I took a look around.

When you think of Okinawa, you think of sugarcane! I found a shop where you can experience freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, something you don't get to do very often.
They also sell Itoman craft beer, so if you're not driving, you can enjoy a beer from lunchtime!

This is a sandwich shop. It looks like a parent and child have come to buy lunch. The Turkish specialty mackerel sandwich looks tempting! They also have the classic BLT, so it's a tough choice.

The vegetable powder sold here can also be used in baby food, which is a great help for mothers. It's nice that you can easily get nutrients by simply mixing it into your usual dishes.

I ordered a purple sweet potato enzyme smoothie! Apparently, it uses milk from Tamaki Farm in Okinawa Prefecture.
The aroma of purple sweet potato powder wafted gently, and it had a very mild flavor.

There's a shop that sells fried chicken made with locally sourced chicken and another that serves Okinawan soba noodles. As someone who loves fried food and sata andagi (Okinawan doughnuts), I'm interested in both.

However, today I had decided to have lunch at this curry restaurant located right in front of Itomaaru♪

A plate with two kinds of curry, chicken and keema, for 1,000 yen. The rice is organically grown from outside the prefecture, and the curry is packed with spices and truly delicious! I finished it all while sipping on homemade yogurt lassi.

The parlor that uses cocoa beans from the neighboring Solomon Islands is also wonderful. The cocoa soft serve ice cream looks incredibly delicious.

2. Access to Itomaaru Parking Lot

Itomaaru is located in the middle of an alley, about a 20-minute drive from Naha Airport and a 5-minute walk from Itoman Fishing Port.
We will provide a clear explanation of how to access the area from the Itoman Rotary, which is also a landmark.

No matter which direction you're coming from, you'll be going counter-clockwise from the Itoman roundabout. Look for the small signs for "Okinawa Soba Kintaro" or "Marumitsu" and turn into the alley to the right.

There's a sign at the first traffic light; turn left there and go 70 meters.

There are signs at the next corner, so turn right at the corner.

If you go a little further, you will see a well-maintained coin-operated parking lot. This is the parking area. It's free for the first hour for Itomaaru users. After the first hour, 100 yen will be added for each additional hour.

To get one hour of free parking, don't forget to have your parking ticket processed at the information desk. Simply insert your parking ticket into the designated machine.

3. Conclusion

While Sundays at Yuimaaru are generally relaxed, many shops seem to be open on weekday mornings. The shops offer a wide variety of goods, from fresh produce to general merchandise and restaurants, each with its own unique character. Some shops still use the old-fashioned method of negotiating prices, so why not enjoy a conversation with the locals?

Aya

Born in 1974 in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. A weekend writer who secretly works hard to deliver Okinawa information for adults, hoping to cheer up people of her generation who tend to settle into the "usual."