Italian

For many people on Okinawa, Motobu Peninsula is a destination for a getaway. There are notable tourist spots such as Churaumi Aquarium, Mount Yaedake, and Bise Fukugi Street in Motobu Town, which takes up the west side of the peninsula.

Mainland Japan’s food culture continues to migrate to Okinawa, and every year new Japanese chain restaurants pop up on the island. Even items that were unique to the mainland like “Ehoumaki,” a sushi roll eaten on the day of Setsubun, are now common on Okinawa.

It was by accident that we stumbled across Café & Bar HAPI TAPI. On our way back from a snorkeling tour at Blue Cave, we were headed to a sandwich joint in Onna Village, but their parking was full. Instead, we drove a block down to a different restaurant inside thatt could have easily been just another nice beach house on this stretch of road.

To stroll the bustling maze of tiny stalls in Makishi Kosetsu Ichiba food market is to embrace Okinawa’s food culture. The combination of seafood, tropical fruit and fresh meat smells float in the air. The enthusiasm of local vendors hawking their wares adds spice to the experience.

Nakamoto Tempuraten is one of the most popular tempura shops on Okinawa.
Since the shop is running its own fish shop and cultivating seaweed, fresh fish and seaweed are always available for tempura.

Nothing says fast food in the south of Japan like “tako-raisu!” And 2019 marks the 35th birthday of this signature Okinawan dish, according to local lore.