No need to search for them at your destination?! 10 must-buy souvenirs at Naha Airport

Naha Airport souvenirs

Naha Airport is Okinawa's gateway to the sky.
With over 50 shops lined up, it's always bustling with people.
Of course, there are plenty of souvenir shops too!

Even if you get so caught up in your Okinawa trip that you forget to buy souvenirs, the wide selection available here means you can easily find what you need at Naha Airport.
If you're buying souvenirs in bulk, do it quickly at Naha Airport before you head home!

Here's a quick rundown of recommended souvenirs you can buy at Naha Airport, perfect for first-time visitors to Okinawa!

<Table of Contents>
Five must-have souvenirs from Okinawa!
[1] Arakaki Chinsuko Honpo "Chinsuko"
[2] Okashi Goten "Purple Sweet Potato Tart"
[3] Ryukyu Village Airport Store "Sata Andagi"
[4] Terukina Noodle Factory "Okinawa Soba Fresh Noodles"
[5] Naha Airport's original brand "White Tiger"

Five recommended souvenirs for those with a unique taste!
[1] Ryukyu Glass Specialty Shop Rurian Naha Airport Terminal Store "Ryukyu Glass"
[2] Okinawa Sea Salt Research Institute "Aguni Salt"
[3] Yachimun
[4] Itoman Workshop "Amulet and Guardian Deity Shisa"
[5] Bingata "Okinawa Tenugui"

Bonus Feature: Excellent individually packaged souvenirs that clearly identify themselves as Okinawan souvenirs.
[1] The "Okinawa Donuts" with the cute Shisa on the packaging.
[2] Orion Beer Nuts, a salty snack with a distinctly Okinawan feel.
[3] A souvenir for women that will make you stand out from the crowd: "Premium LuLuLun"

Five must-have souvenirs from Okinawa!

[1] Arakaki Chinsuko Honpo "Chinsuko"

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Many people will likely think of Okinawan traditional sweets when they think of souvenirs from Okinawa.
Arakaki Chinsuko Honpo is famous as a long-established chinsuko shop, and it is said to have served three kings during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.

Originally, Chinsuko was a steamed confection, but this shop was the first to make it as a baked confection.
Made with flour, sugar, and lard, its crumbly texture evokes a nostalgic feeling.
The cocoa-flavored chinsuko has a rich and decadent taste.

■ Chinsuko (10 bags): 648 yen

[2] Okashi Goten "Purple Sweet Potato Tart"

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This is another popular Okinawan souvenir with a high rate of repeat purchases.
Okashi Goten's purple sweet potato tart uses 100% Okinawan purple sweet potatoes to fully bring out the original flavor of the sweet potato.

We use no preservatives or artificial colors, and our commitment to flavor and appearance is unwavering!
The fragrant and moist tart crust is sure to become addictive after just one bite.

The Okashi Goten corner on the 2nd floor of Naha Airport also sells them individually, so it's a great option for a little snack.

■Original Sweet Potato Tart (10 pieces): 1,080 yen

[3] Ryukyu Village Airport Store "Sata Andagi"

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These cute, round Okinawan-style donuts are widely known as a popular snack in Okinawan households.
They're delicious even when cold, but at the Ryukyu Village Airport Store on the 2nd floor of Naha Airport, you can get freshly fried sata andagi, and they're absolutely delicious!

Originally, one of the experience plans at Ryukyu Village was "making sata andagi (Okinawan doughnuts)," and they now sell those sata andagi at their own handmade shop.
Flavors include plain and brown sugar. Enjoy the crispy outside and comforting inside flavors of Okinawa.

■Sata Andagi (1 piece): 108 yen

[4] Terukina Noodle Factory "Okinawa Soba Fresh Noodles"

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Okinawan soba noodles vary in style depending on the region.
While the noodles are generally medium-thick and curly, Nago City uses flat noodles.
In Miyako Island, they use thin, curly noodles, while in Ishigaki Island, they use straight, round noodles.

Amidst all this, Terukina Seimenjo, located in Naha City, is a long-established noodle factory that is said to be by far the most popular in the prefecture.
The noodles are firm and have a curly texture that pairs well with the broth, and are highly regarded for their delicious taste.

You can now get fresh noodles from Terukina Noodle Factory at Naha Airport!
Many people who have traveled to Okinawa have surely fallen in love with the charm of Okinawa soba.
Please enjoy Okinawan soba at home.

■Terukina (1 bag): 280 yen

[5] Naha Airport's original brand "White Tiger"

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Many people have probably spent an evening in Okinawa enjoying Okinawan cuisine with a glass of awamori (Okinawan liquor).
Currently, there are said to be 46 awamori manufacturers in Okinawa, and each distillery produces awamori that showcases its own unique characteristics.

There are many stalls selling awamori (Okinawan distilled liquor) at Naha Airport, but the most popular is the Naha Airport original brand, "White Tiger."
Made with 100% Ryukyu awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), this long-aged awamori boasts a deep richness, umami, and a clean finish. Give it a try!

■White Tiger (7 years, 43% alcohol): 7,560 yen

Five recommended souvenirs for discerning shoppers!

[1] Ryukyu Glass Specialty Shop Rurian Naha Airport Terminal Store "Ryukyu Glass"

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Ryukyu glass is one of Okinawa's specialty products.
Glassmaking in Ryukyu began over 100 years ago, but modern Ryukyu glass originated from recycling discarded soft drink bottles brought in by the American military after the war.

The masterful technique involves skillfully manipulating glass beads wound onto a blowing rod to create bubbles and uneven surfaces.
Apparently, producing the red color is particularly difficult, and the translucent colors and textures make them perfect for interior decoration when you have a variety of them.

Rurian, a specialty shop for Ryukyu glass, has a wide variety of products, from cups to small accessories, at its Naha Airport Terminal store.
It makes a wonderful gift for someone special.

[2] Okinawa Sea Salt Research Institute "Aguni Salt"

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This salt is produced in the waters off Aguni Island, which belongs to the Okinawa Islands, approximately 60 km northwest of Naha City.
The salt is produced at the Okinawa Sea Salt Research Institute on Aguni Island, and comes in two types: "kettle-boiled salt" which is boiled over a wood fire, and "sun-dried salt" which depends on the weather.

This product gained recognition during a brief boom in natural salt and has remained a popular item with a strong following ever since.
It's not too salty, and it's highly praised in reviews for its rich flavor and abundant minerals.

This versatile salt enhances the flavor of any ingredient, whether it's meat, rice, pasta, or vegetables. Once you buy it, you'll definitely want to buy it again!

■Awaguni Salt (Ceramic-boiled, 500g): 1296 yen
■Awaguni Salt (Sun-dried salt, 250g): 1080 yen

[3] Yachimun (pottery) (available at many stores)

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The recent boom in vintage clothing and antiques is remarkable, but for antique lovers, Okinawan traditional crafts, specifically yachimun ("yachimun" is the Okinawan dialect word for "pottery"), should definitely be checked out.

In Naha City, there is a street called Tsuboya Yachimun Street, lined with pottery workshops and galleries, but you can also find unique and substantial Yachimun pottery at various shops in Naha Airport.
You can also find a selection of exquisite items, such as cups and plates made by the school of Jiro Kinjo, a Living National Treasure.

[4] Itoman Workshop "Amulet and Guardian Deity Shisa"

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In Okinawa, you can see Shisa statues all over the city. They are mainly used as protective charms, and you can find Shisa statues on either side of the Kankaimon Gate, the first gate of Shuri Castle.

Shisa are a familiar and beloved presence in Okinawa, found in ordinary homes and public places, but did you know that they are actually made with a variety of expressions and characters specifically for souvenirs?
In particular, the Itoman Workshop is run by Sakae Sakuma, who has won numerous art awards, and produces simple yet adorable Shisa statues.

[5] Bingata "Okinawa Tenugui" (available at many stores)

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Bingata is a representative dyeing technique of Okinawa, and it is a prestigious traditional craft that was used as dance costumes during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
Characterized by vibrant colors reminiscent of the tropics, such as red, blue, and yellow, the number of shops selling goods featuring variations of the Bingata pattern has been increasing recently.

Okinawan tenugui (hand towels) in particular are popular as souvenirs because of their wide variety of designs and ease of use.
They're usually available at souvenir shops in Naha Airport, so take a look.
Bingata patterns are used not only on tenugui (hand towels), but also on T-shirts, furoshiki (wrapping cloths), and other items.

Bonus Feature: Excellent individually packaged souvenirs that clearly identify themselves as Okinawan souvenirs.

When you return from a trip and need to hand out souvenirs, individually packaged items are incredibly helpful. And if the souvenir clearly exudes an "Okinawan feel," you can simply leave it discreetly on your desk. Since many shops in the airport carry them, buying one might come in handy!

[1] The "Okinawa Donuts" with the cute Shisa on the packaging.

Individually packaged, excellent souvenirs you can buy at Naha Airport
At 648 yen for 10 pieces (as of November 2016), the price is impressive, but the packaging features the word "Okinawa" and a Shisa (Okinawan lion-dog statue), and with its brown sugar flavor, it's a product you won't find anywhere else but Okinawa. The moderate quantity is also a plus.

[2] Orion Beer Nuts, a salty snack with a distinctly Okinawan feel.

Individually packaged, excellent souvenirs you can buy at Naha Airport
Orion Beer is synonymous with Okinawa. If many people don't like sweets, I recommend Orion Beer Nuts. They have a spicy flavor that goes well with beer. The large bag contains 20 small packets.

Individually packaged, excellent souvenirs you can buy at Naha Airport
If you don't need 20 bags, that's okay! We also sell them in 4-bag packs.

[3] A souvenir for women that will make you stand out from the crowd: "Premium LuLuLun"

Individually packaged, excellent souvenirs you can buy at Naha Airport
How about a face mask for a female senior colleague you're always indebted to, or for someone you're close to? The "LuLuLun" series, which you often see around town these days, has a bitter melon and shikwasa scent in Okinawa. Face masks are always exciting, aren't they?

Final thoughts

Naha Airport - Domestic Terminal Floor
Looking at it this way, don't you think you can pretty much get everything you need at Naha Airport without having to search for souvenirs all over the place while traveling?
While you're waiting for your flight, take your time browsing the various shops and fully enjoy the lingering feeling of being in Okinawa!

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