Hi there!
I'm Cayun, a writer living in Okinawa.

Okinawa, a major tourist destination, boasts a wide variety of attractive souvenirs, but many repeat visitors and Okinawa connoisseurs may be getting tired of the usual items.

So this time, we researched sweet souvenirs featuring local mascots active in various cities and towns in Okinawa!

We'll introduce some adorable and charming local snacks that are both cute and delicious!

<Contents>
1. Nanjo City's Idol Grandpa! Nanji's Lemon Cake
2. In Okinawa City, we found two shops selling Eisa-themed snacks.
2-1 A huge hit with kids! Eisa cookies & gum
2-2 Fluffy and comforting snack: Eisa Dorayaki
3. A quick bite in Kunigami Village: Ku-yan's cookies
4. Sawarin's lemon cake spreads happiness throughout Nishihara Town.
5. Perfect as a souvenir or a snack while traveling!

1. Nanjo City's Idol Grandpa Nanji's Lemon Cake

Nanjo City, whose topography is heart-shaped, has a beloved mascot named "Nanji," who is characterized by his heart-shaped mustache.

The "Lemon Cake with Shikuwasa" (200 yen), which has the "Nanji" brand mark on it, is a certified product of the Nanjo Selection!

The moist dough is infused with shikwasa juice, creating a refreshing sweetness that will melt your heart ♡ With a shelf life of approximately 30 days, it's also perfect as a souvenir ♪

The "Nanji Roll" (1,100 yen), made with simple ingredients, has a shelf life of approximately two days when refrigerated. It's best to enjoy this as a snack during your trip as soon as possible.

You can find Nanji's signature sweets at "Koharubiyori," located about 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport.

Shop owner Kobayakawa told us about the charms of Nanjo City, saying, "Nanjo City is rich in nature, and above all, the people are kind." Also, be sure to check out their "Nanji Cookies" and their very popular pudding.

[Koharubiyori Confectionery Workshop] Address: 113-3 Toyama, Tamagusuku, Nanjo City TEL：098-949-7527 Regular holiday: Sundays and public holidays Opening hours: 10: 00 to 19: 00 *All product prices include tax. *Please note that prices are subject to change.

2. In Okinawa City, we found two shops selling Eisa-themed snacks.

In Okinawa City, which has declared itself the "City of Eisa," Eisa characters are very active in enlivening the city.

In a town that gets lively with the "Okinawa All-Island Eisa Festival" every year around the weekend after the Obon festival, I found some cute snacks at two shops!

2-1. A huge hit with kids! Eisa cookies & gum

At the local cake shop "Yumeka," we discovered "Eisa Cookies"! These crispy cookies come in four varieties: "Eibo" who energetically dances the Eisa, the caring "Sa-chan," the mischievous "Ta-kun," and the uniquely expressive "Sanaji."

The reasonable price of 95 yen per sheet makes it easy for children to buy, which is a great bonus!

The "16-piece assortment" (1,350 yen), which comes in a colorful box, is best purchased in advance of your visit.

These "Yuru-chara gums," which recreate the characteristics of the characters in a round shape, are priced at 200 yen each.

With a long shelf life of approximately one year, these gums are incredibly popular for their cute appearance even when simply displayed! Pay attention to the unique expressions of each handmade gum and choose your favorite♪

"Yumeka," run by a shop owner who himself used to dance Eisa, is easily recognizable by its pink exterior. It stands along "Grand Street" near the Okinawa South Interchange.

While you're there to buy Eisa snacks, I also recommend enjoying some shaved ice on the bench in front of the shop!

[Cake House Yumeka] Address: 3-11-3 Uechi, Okinawa City, 102 TEL：098-932-0528 Closed: Tuesday Opening hours: 12: 00 to 19: 30 *All product prices are exclusive of tax.

2-2. Fluffy and comforting snack: Eisa Dorayaki

At "Miyabi Chaya Nakamoto," you can purchase "Eisa Dorayaki" (4 pieces for 450 yen, take-out only), which is made without using eggs or milk.

Made with wholesome ingredients like soy milk and aluminum-free baking powder, these sweets have a fluffy texture that's incredibly comforting.

These dorayaki, made without preservatives, are best enjoyed on the same day, whether as a last-minute purchase or a snack during a drive. Also, since it takes time to heat the branding iron, it's a good idea to call ahead before visiting.

If you want to enjoy it at your leisure in the shop, try the dorayaki without the branding mark!

The owners, with their lovely smiles, said about the charm of Okinawa City, "It's a city where a diverse 'chanpuru culture' is deeply rooted, so everyone is welcome!"

This restaurant, which uses no additives in all its menu items, offers not only its signature sweet "ohagi" (rice cakes) but also Japanese dishes that are rare in Okinawa, such as the "suiton pork set" topped with Agu pork.

This is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese house.

[Miyabi Chaya Nakamoto] Address: 3-22-15 Moromizato, Okinawa City TEL：098-932-5747 Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays Opening hours: 11: 00 to 18: 00 *All product prices include tax. *Please note that prices are subject to change.

3. A quick bite in Kunigami Village: Ku-yan's cookies

For your sightseeing in the northern part of Okinawa, we recommend snacks featuring "Kuuyan," the official mascot of Kunigami Village.

At "Yui Cafe," a popular local spot, you'll find "Kuuyan's Cookies" (250 yen), featuring Kuuyan's charmingly round eyes.

The owner wanted even small children to be able to take a big bite, so the portions are generous! If you're lucky, you might even find limited-quantity, seasonal flavors made with Okumidori (tea from Kunigami Village) or Karagi (Okinawan cinnamon) from Kunigami♪

It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport via the Okinawa Expressway to reach Kunigami Village. "Yui Cafe," where you'll be greeted by local resident Ms. Taira, is located in a corner of the food court adjacent to the Kunigami Village Tourism and Local Products Center "Yui Yui Kunigami."

Taking a bite of "Kuuyan's Cookies" in a village full of nature will make for a relaxing snack time.

There's also an eat-in space, so why not take a break and enjoy some "homemade ginger ale" or "shikuwasa juice"?

【Yui Cafe】 Address: 1605 Okuma, Kunigami Village TEL: 0980-41-5555 (Please call via extension) Closed: Open all year round Opening hours: 10: 30 to 18: 00 *All product prices include tax. *Please note that prices are subject to change.

4. Sawarin's lemon cake spreads happiness throughout Nishihara Town.

In Nishihara Town, the town's beloved mascot is "Sawarin." Sawarin is a green fairy with the town's flowering tree, the Sawafuji (Barringtonia racemosa), and the town's flower, the bougainvillea, blooming on her head.

At the "Patisserie couple" store, you'll find rows and rows of "Sawafuji Lemon" with Sawarin featured on the packaging!

"Sawafuji Lemon" (194 yen) is a donut-shaped version of Okinawa's classic lemon cake, so you can enjoy plenty of lemon flavor and chocolate with every bite! It can be enjoyed at room temperature for about 10 days, and on hot days, it's also recommended to chill it in the refrigerator.

"Sawarin's Snack Pudding" (194 yen each) is another item that you'll find yourself reaching for, drawn in by the illustration of Sawarin. The pudding has a smooth texture that melts in your mouth, and the seasonal flavors are a treat for customers.

Owner Tamanaha aims to create sweets that are "not particularly unusual, but exceptionally delicious!" With this in mind, she uses carefully selected ingredients and pursues a one-of-a-kind flavor that allows you to enjoy a variety of textures and surprising deliciousness in just one bite.

The shop is about a 40-minute drive from Naha Airport. Nearby attractions include Nishihara Kirakira Beach and Uchima Udun, a famous spot for Sawafuji (a type of volcanic ash), making it a great place to stop by after sightseeing or leisure activities.

【Patisserie couple】 Address: 78-6 Kadekaru, Nishihara-cho TEL：098-963-9363 Closed: Tuesday Opening hours: 10: 00 to 20: 00 *All product prices include tax.

5. Perfect as a souvenir or a snack while traveling!

Even from what I've researched so far, Okinawa's cities and towns, from north to south, are full of unique characters!

Some of these characters even use social media to promote their local areas, so it might be fun to check them out if you're interested.

These sweets, with their charmingly relaxed expressions, are sure to bring a smile to the faces of both those who receive them as gifts and those who give them.

If you're looking to give a unique souvenir that will impress even the most discerning Okinawan, then this is definitely for you!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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