Kokusai Dori Travel Guide: Enjoy Okinawan Food, Shopping, and Culture!

Here’s how to get to Kokusai Dori Shopping Street from Naha Airport, Okinawa’s main air gateway.
Take the Yui Rail monorail from Naha Airport to Kencho-mae Station, the nearest station to Kokusai Dori. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes, followed by a five-minute walk to the heart of the street.
Local buses also take approximately 15 minutes, but services are less frequent, so the Yui Rail is the recommended option.

This specialty shop is dedicated to sata andagi, a traditional Okinawan deep-fried sweet. It is located along the nostalgic Heiwa Dori Shopping Street, just off Kokusai Dori in Naha.
The shop takes great care in selecting its ingredients, using fresh eggs and its own “Ryugu Original Blend,” a custom blend of several types of flour, to create a simple yet remarkably rich flavor.
There is also an impressive variety of flavors to choose from. In addition to classics such as plain and brown sugar, the lineup includes original flavors such as coconut and black sesame with kinako soybean flour.

If you’re visiting Okinawa, Po-tama is one local specialty you won’t want to miss.
Po-tama is a type of Okinawan rice ball known as a “pork tamago onigiri,” made by sandwiching pork luncheon meat and a Japanese-style omelet with rice.
The juicy pork luncheon meat and fluffy egg pair perfectly with the rice, creating an irresistible combination of savory flavors in every bite.

Located along Kokusai Dori, Shima Shabu Shabu NAKAMA is a shabu-shabu restaurant where you can savor a variety of Okinawan ingredients, including premium local meats and island-grown vegetables.
The restaurant’s signature shabu-shabu is enjoyed by lightly swishing the ingredients through a golden broth made with carefully selected dried bonito flakes.
A particularly recommended option is the “Shima Shabu Enjoyment Course,” which lets you savor both Ishigaki Beef and Agu Pork, two of Okinawa’s most celebrated local ingredients.

Tucked away just behind Kokusai Dori in the heart of Naha is a small shop specializing in shaved ice.
Made with deep ocean water from Kumejima, the finely shaved ice contains plenty of air, giving it an exceptionally light and fluffy texture that melts delicately in your mouth.
Each serving combines four distinctive elements: creamy milk syrup made generously with milk from Okinawa’s EM Tamaki Farm; rich fruit purée packed with real fruit; Yogo jelly featuring a uniquely Okinawan lactic acid drink as a subtle accent; and a side of Nuchimasu sea salt to bring out the sweetness.
Together, these layers create changing flavors and textures that can be enjoyed down to the very last spoonful.

This popular steak chain opened its first location in Naha, Okinawa, in 2015 and has since expanded to 25 locations across Okinawa and 70 nationwide.
Its signature steaks feature thick, satisfying cuts of beef, carefully prepared at each location and grilled on lava stones from Mt. Fuji.

This izakaya offers live performances of traditional Okinawan island songs with no live music or table charge.
Performances are held three times daily, at 7:00pm, 8:00pm, and 9:00pm. Rather than simply watching, guests are welcome to join in, making it a memorable way to experience Okinawan culture.
The menu features a wide variety of distinctive Okinawan dishes, including traditional local specialties that have been enjoyed for generations.
Another highlight is the chance to savor both Agu Pork and Ishigaki Beef, two of Okinawa’s most celebrated local meats.

Blue Seal Ice Cream is an Okinawan ice cream maker founded in 1948. One of its greatest appeals is its wide variety of distinctly Okinawan flavors, including unique options such as beni imo (purple sweet potato), shikuwasa citrus, and salted chinsuko.
Along with classic flavors and limited-edition offerings, the Kokusai Dori store has a lineup of more than 20 flavors available at any given time.
Blue Seal Ice Cream is also known for its rich yet refreshing taste, developed to suit Okinawa’s hot and humid climate.

The Kokusai Dori branch of Mango House specializes in kariyushi wear, with several locations in popular tourist areas across Okinawa.
Kariyushi wear refers to short-sleeved shirts that are widely worn in Okinawa as comfortable summer attire. They are known for their distinctive designs inspired by Okinawa’s traditional culture and natural beauty.
All kariyushi wear sold at Mango House features original designs.
The store offers a wide variety of designs and sizes, including shirts featuring shisa, pineapples, and the Yanbaru kuina (Okinawa rail).

Okashi Goten Kokusai Dori Matsuo Branch is known for its distinctive exterior and interior inspired by Shurijo Castle, one of Okinawa’s historic sites.
The shop offers a wide selection of classic and popular souvenirs, including its signature beni imo tarts made at its own factory, as well as Okinawan sweets, Ryukyu glassware, and awamori.
Many of the sweets can be purchased individually as well as in sets, making it easy to sample and compare different treats or pick out a variety to take home as souvenirs.
Visitors can also watch the production line for beni imo tarts inside the store.
On the second floor, there is a café where you can enjoy a wide variety of Okinawan dishes and

Okinawaya is a souvenir specialty store with its main branch on Kokusai Dori in Naha and several other locations across Okinawa, including Chatan and Mihama.
The store offers a wide variety of Okinawan souvenirs, including sweets made with purple sweet potato and Okinawa-exclusive goods. It also houses “Awamori-ya,” a shop specializing in awamori, with a wide selection ranging from popular varieties to rare aged awamori.
Its convenient location makes it an easy place to stop by while exploring Kokusai Dori.

Free Zone is located just a two-minute walk from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail.
The store offers a wide variety of products, including sweets such as chinsuko, a traditional Okinawan confection, as well as local alcoholic beverages and health foods.
You can also find bags, wallets, and other items made with minsaa, a traditional Okinawan woven textile.

SuiSavon -Shuri Soap- is an Okinawa-born skincare brand with 27 stores across Japan, mainly in Okinawa. The Green Gallery Shop is one of its locations.
Inspired by Okinawa’s natural beauty, the brand offers a wide range of skincare products made with ingredients derived from Okinawan plants and fruits.
Take home soaps, hand creams, and other products for your daily skincare routine, and their use may bring back fond memories of your trip to Okinawa.

The Naha City Tourist Information Center is located approximately a five-minute walk from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail.
Inside, you’ll find a wide selection of pamphlets, guidebooks, and event flyers covering sightseeing spots in Naha and throughout Okinawa Prefecture.
At the information counter, travelers can get up-to-date information on restaurants serving Okinawan specialties and local cuisine, as well as souvenir shops, accommodations, the latest news, and upcoming events.
Assistance is available in English, Chinese, and Korean, making the center particularly helpful for international travelers.
Brochure racks are also organized by language, making it easy to find information in multiple languages.

Located on the fifth floor of Don Quijote Kokusai Dori Branch, Kokusai Dori Luggage Storage T membership LOUNGE allows you to store everything from shopping bags and backpacks to larger items such as suitcases and wheeled luggage. The service costs 500 yen per item per day.
You can store not only items purchased at Don Quijote Kokusai Dori Branch, but also purchases from other shops.
You can also call ahead to check availability.
The facility offers Wi-Fi and a space for charging smartphones, making it a convenient place to take a break as well.

This luxury hotel is located approximately an eight-minute walk from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail, slightly away from Kokusai Dori Shopping Street.
Its 294 guest rooms are divided into two floor categories and eight room types, offering a range of options to suit different needs.
All rooms are equipped with internet access, a coffee machine, and a variety of amenities. Large windows offer sweeping views over the city of Naha, adding to the appeal of the stay.
The hotel also features a lounge, bar, and restaurants. At the restaurant on the top floor, guests can enjoy carefully prepared dishes and drinks while taking in the beautiful night views.

Hotel Gracery Naha is located approximately a five-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail.
The hotel offers a variety of room types, all featuring clean, bright interiors with white as the predominant color.
Rooms on the Comfort Floor feature upgraded beds, showerheads, and other amenities designed to provide an even more comfortable stay.
The concept rooms offer an immersive experience, with images inspired by the Okinawan sea projected onto the walls and sounds such as underwater ambience and a diver’s breathing synchronized with the visuals. These rooms are particularly recommended for families with children and for special occasions.
At the restaurant on the second floor, guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring a variety of Okinawan dishes.

This city resort hotel boasts a prime location in the heart of Kokusai Dori, Okinawa’s bustling downtown district.
A variety of popular attractions are within walking distance, including Makishi Public Market, known as “Okinawa’s kitchen” for its wide selection of local ingredients, and Tsuboya Yachimun Street, where pottery shops line a charming stone-paved street.
The hotel also offers a range of on-site facilities, including the only above-ground swimming pool on Kokusai Dori.

One of Okinawa’s largest Eisa festivals, the 10,000 Eisa Dancers Parade is held on Kokusai Dori Shopping Street every autumn.
Eisa is one of Okinawa’s traditional performing arts, originally performed to bid farewell to the spirits of ancestors as they return to the spirit world.
Groups from across Okinawa gather for the event, performing not only traditional Eisa but also creative contemporary interpretations, as well as Eisa performances by children.
If your visit coincides with the event, don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of Okinawa’s traditional performing arts up close.

The Naha Tug-of-War is a traditional community event held every October in central Naha, with members of the public welcome to take part.
Its origins are said to date back to around 1450. Today, the event consists of two main highlights: the Hatagashira Procession along Kokusai Dori and the Great Tug-of-War held at Kumoji Intersection on National Route 58.
The Great Tug-of-War begins in the evening and features the world’s largest straw rope, recognized by Guinness World Records.
Handmade from scratch each year, the massive rope weighs approximately 40 tons in total, with participants divided into east and west teams to pull against each other.
Visitors can join the tug-of-war on the day, and the sight of a huge crowd pulling together in unison is truly spectacular.

Yachimun is a distinctive style of Okinawan pottery with a history of more than 300 years dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
Tsuboya’s history as a center of yachimun production began in 1682, when the Ryukyu royal government brought together pottery kilns that had previously been scattered across the region.
Along the approximately 400-meter street paved with Ryukyu limestone, you’ll find yachimun workshops, shops, galleries, and more. As you stroll through the historic streetscape, you can immerse yourself in Okinawa’s rich tradition of craftsmanship.

Known as the kitchen of the Uchinanchu, or people of Okinawa, this market is packed with distinctly Okinawan ingredients, from vividly colored fish and locally grown island vegetables to a wide variety of pork cuts.
Browsing ingredients you rarely encounter in everyday shopping and chatting with the friendly vendors offers a great way to experience Okinawa’s food culture up close.
Another highlight is the “mochiage” service, where fish or meat purchased on the first floor can be prepared for you at one of the eateries on the second floor for an additional cooking fee.

Opened in 2015 on Kokusai Dori, one of Okinawa’s must-visit sightseeing destinations, this lively yatai village brings together eateries serving Okinawan specialties and creative dishes made with local ingredients. It has become a popular spot bustling with visitors both day and night.
The village is home to more than 20 eateries. Along with those specializing in Okinawan cuisine, many serve dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients, including sushi made with fish such as gurukun and irabucha, Agu Pork gyoza, and Ishigaki Beef steak.

Ichiba Hondori is a covered shopping arcade that begins beside Don Quijote Kokusai Dori Branch on Kokusai Dori Shopping Street.
Approximately 60 shops line the arcade. Because many traditionally sold sweets and mochi for festivals and other special occasions, the street was once known as “Sweets Street.”
One of its distinctive features is the mix of long-established shops beloved by local residents and souvenir shops catering to visitors.
The arcade is also home to many specialty shops selling foods and miscellaneous goods that can only be found on Ichiba Hondori.
Entering from Kokusai Dori, you can walk through the arcade to Makishi Public Market, making it easy to include both in your sightseeing itinerary.

Okinawa Heiwa Dori Shopping Street is a covered shopping arcade located just off Kokusai Dori Shopping Street, Okinawa’s main thoroughfare.
Its name is said to reflect both local hopes for peace and the Heiwakan movie theater that once stood near the entrance.
With its nostalgic atmosphere, the arcade is lined with clothing stores, souvenir shops, and restaurants, attracting both local residents and visitors.
One of its greatest charms is the opportunity to experience everyday life in Okinawa, whether by enjoying local cuisine at a long-established eatery or browsing traditional neighborhood shops.
Offering a different atmosphere from Kokusai Dori Shopping Street, it’s a great place to discover a more local side of Okinawa.