Fluffy, piping hot, freshly fried tempura. It's one of the local delicacies you'll want to try when you go to Okinawa.

In Okinawa, you'll see "tempura-ya" (tempura restaurant) signs everywhere you walk, but the place where you can absolutely enjoy delicious tempura is Oujima Island!

Every day, people line up for tempura here, making it truly a mecca for tempura lovers. We'll introduce you to the many charms of Okujima, the "Tempura Island" that is beloved even by Okinawans!

*In addition to Nanjo City, which we are introducing here, Okinawa Prefecture also has "Oujima" in Nago City, Kumejima Town, and Zamami Village. Please be careful as it can be confusing!

<Contents>
1. What kind of place is Oujima, the island of tempura?
2. Let's go on a food tour of tempura restaurants on Okujima Island.
2-1. Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop
2-2. Oshiro Tempura Shop
2-3. Teru-chan Imaiyu Market
3. Explore the sights of Okujima Island
3-1. "Sun-dried squid tempura" and "Imaiyu Market"
3-2. Scenic Spots and Cats
4. Access to Okushima Island
4-1. In the case of a car
4-2. When using public transportation
5. Okushima Island is full of charm.

About a 40-minute drive from Naha Airport, you'll find Oujima, a small island floating off the southern tip of Nanjo City in southern Okinawa Island.

Okujima, a popular island accessible by car, is most famous for its tempura.

The moment you step onto the island, you're greeted by the wonderful aroma of tempura... Many people come from all over Okinawa Prefecture in search of this exquisite tempura.

The appeal of Okinawan tempura lies in its slightly rich seasoning and fluffy batter. Many pieces cost around 60 yen each, making it very affordable even if you eat your fill.

Because it can be enjoyed simply by popping it into your mouth without any toppings, it's a staple snack for Okinawan residents.

If you're going to eat tempura on Okujima Island, don't forget to try the "mozuku tempura," which uses plenty of the island's famous mozuku seaweed.

Enjoying freshly fried tempura while gazing at Okinawa's blue ocean – perhaps this is the reason why people flock to Oujima Island.

Okay, let's start our tempura food tour of Oujima Island!
Each shop has its own unique menu, batter, and flavor, so it's fun to compare them and see which one you like best.
Which tempura restaurant do you prefer?

When you cross over to Okujima Island, you'll find "Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop" right in front of you.
There's always a line in front of the shop, regardless of whether it's a weekday or weekend. It's such a popular place that you might have to wait for 30 minutes or more depending on the time of day.

The appeal of this restaurant lies in being able to enjoy Okinawan tempura, including the standard fish, squid, and vegetables, as well as unique Okinawan ingredients such as umukuji (purple sweet potato) and taro.

Prices start at 65 yen each.
Freshly fried tempura is continuously placed in the display case.
A famous restaurant where you'll be satisfied with the deliciousness. Recommended for those who like crispy batter.

【store information】
<Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop>
■ TEL: 098-948-3583
■Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (November - March)　
　　　　　　10: 00-19: 00 (April-September)　　　
■Regular closing day: Thursday (See website for details)
■ URL:http://nakamotosengyoten.com/

If you drive clockwise for about a minute with "Oubashi," the entrance to Oujima Island, behind you, you will find "Oshiro Tempura Shop."

The restaurant has many fans both within and outside the prefecture, and there are always lots of people waiting in front of the shop for their tempura to be ready. After filling out your order form and paying, you receive a numbered ticket and wait for a while.

While waiting for your number to be called, a delicious aroma that relentlessly stimulates your appetite wafts through the air.

When you receive freshly fried tempura from the lovely lady with the adorable smile, be sure to eat it right there.

The light and fluffy batter makes this a true Okinawan tempura masterpiece!
The restaurant boasts a fantastic location with the blue ocean stretching out before it, which makes the already delicious tempura even more enjoyable.

Each piece costs 80 yen. This is a renowned restaurant where you can enjoy "tempura, a favorite of Okinawans," to your heart's content.

【store information】
<Oshiro Tempura Shop>
■ TEL: 098-948-4530
■ Business hours: 11: 00 ~ 19: 00
■Regular closing day: Monday (※Open on public holidays, closed the following Tuesday)

With "Oubashi" behind you, if you go a little way counterclockwise, you will find "Teru-chan Imaiyu Market".

This is a hidden gem among the three tempura restaurants on Okushima Island. You order at the counter on the far right of the shop, and they fry the tempura right in front of you.

The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, from classic favorites to Okinawan specialties like bitter melon and sea grapes. You'll be mesmerized by the waitress's skillful frying techniques as your tempura is ready.

The largest tempura on Okushima Island is crispy on the outside and fluffy and chewy on the inside.
The crispy coating is so delicious you won't be able to stop eating it after just one bite!

The price is 60 yen per piece. Enjoy this exquisite tempura that you won't find anywhere else.

【store information】
<Teru-chan Imaiyu Market>
■ TEL: 098-948-7920
■ Business hours: 11: 30 ~ 19: 00
■Regular closing day: Monday (※Open on public holidays, closed the following Tuesday)

Once you've had your fill, I recommend taking a stroll around Oujima Island to work off your meal.
You can enjoy a relaxed pace of life that is unique to Okinawa and not found in bustling tourist destinations.

Actually, Okushima Island is also famous for its sun-dried squid.
The sun-drying of squid, a sign of summer in Okinawa, begins around June and can be seen until autumn.

What they showed me was the sun-drying process at Nakamura Fish Shop.
The rows of squid lined up under the blue sky are a magnificent sight.

You can buy Nakamura Fish Shop's sun-dried squid at the Okujima Imaiyu Market, which just opened last November.
Squid lightly grilled over an open flame pairs perfectly with alcohol.

Furthermore, Imaiyu Market, which houses Nakamura Fish Shop, is a new and noteworthy spot where you can find many rare items that are hard to come by outside of Okinawa Prefecture. It features a variety of shops where you can enjoy locally sourced seafood, vegetables, and gourmet food.

【store information】
<Nakamura Fish Shop>
■Location: Inside Okushima Imaiyu Market
■Details: See facility information

<Okushima Imaiyu Market>
■ TEL: 098-948-7632
■ Business hours: 9: 00 ~ 18: 00
■ Closed holiday: None

A stroll around Okujima Island reveals valuable cultural artifacts and breathtaking scenic spots everywhere you look.
Seeing the culture, beliefs, and beautiful sea that the islanders have carefully preserved allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and cleanse your soul.

And you're almost guaranteed to encounter cats! Especially when you're holding tempura, cats will gather from seemingly nowhere.

Even the cats seem to know that the tempura on Oujima Island is delicious.

It takes about 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport to Oujima Island.
Enter the Naha Airport Expressway (towards Nago) and proceed to the Haebaru Minami Interchange.
After exiting the Haebaru Interchange, head towards Prefectural Road 48. Take National Route 331 and follow the signs for "Okujima" to reach "Okukaido".

There is a bus stop called "Okutake" on Okushima Island, and the Ryukyu Bus Transportation Route 53 (Shikiya Line) serves it, but the service is quite limited in terms of time and frequency. (Especially on weekends.)

Also, currently, the "Ryukyu Bus Transportation Route 53 Shikiya Line" does not depart from Naha Bus Terminal, so a bus transfer will be necessary.

Furthermore, since buses from Oujima Island to Naha Bus Terminal only operate in the morning, you will need to either walk to the bus stop on Route 331 or take a connecting bus on your return trip.

Since it restricts your time and activities, if you don't have a strong preference for traveling by public bus, it's recommended to use a rental car or taxi instead.
[Bus Information]
<Ryukyu Bus Transportation>
■ URL:http://www.ryukyubuskotsu.jp/index.html
<Bus Navi Okinawa>
■ URL:http://www.busnavi-okinawa.com/map/

5. Okushima Island is full of charm.

©OCVB
Tempura, a beautiful sea, and the leisurely pace of life on a remote island.

It's a tiny island that you can drive around in less than 10 minutes, but Oujima is packed with Okinawa's "special" features.

You could stop for tempura during your drive, or take a leisurely stroll.

It's not just the delicious food; please discover the other charms of Okujima Island.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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