🌊 Makishi Public Market in Naha, Okinawa: Fresh seafood and a lively atmosphere from Okinawa's kitchen! 🦞✨

When visiting Naha, Okinawa, how can you miss the Makishi Public Market, known as the "Kitchen of Okinawa"? Newly renovated in 2023, this market, located right next to Kokusai-dori, is overflowing with fresh seafood and a rich Okinawan atmosphere! 💙 During my weekday visit, I selected fresh luminescent clams on the first floor, which were then freshly cooked for delicious sashimi on the second floor. The bustling atmosphere of the market made me feel like I was stepping into the daily lives of Okinawans! Come join me on a culinary adventure in this treasure trove of food and culture! 📸

📍 Location: Makishi Public Market
📍 Address: 2-10-1 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, 900-0014, Japan
🚗 Transportation: If you drive, there's a nearby paid parking lot (approximately 300 yen/hour). It's about a 20-minute drive from Naha Airport! It's an 8-10 minute walk from Makishi or Miebashi Light Rail Stations. 🎫 Cost: Free admission, seafood dishes range from 1,500 to 5,000 yen, and 3-course dine-in service is 500 yen per person.
🕒 Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

🌟 Highlights: A perfect blend of seafood, shopping, and Okinawan culture.

1. Fresh Seafood and Dine-in Service: The first-floor market is a seafood paradise! 🦐 Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of fresh seafood, including Okinawa's unique luminescent clams (pictured, about 2,000 yen), clams (pictured, about 1,200 yen), and jumbo shrimp (about 1,000 yen each). After selecting your seafood, vendors will take you to a 2nd-floor dining hall (such as Ganjiyudo or Dotonbori) for dine-in service. For 500 yen, you can prepare a 3-course meal. Grilled, sashimi, or steamed, they're all incredibly fresh! This time, I chose two dishes: sashimi and stir-fried clams. The sashimi's crispy texture was amazing, and the stir-fry had a wonderful wok aroma. For the clams, I chose to cook them in sake, but the sake flavor was too strong and not very palatable. For the prawns, I chose to cook them in a cauliflower sauce, which was perfectly cooked, though a bit dry. 📷 Photo Tip: Take photos of the colorful fish and shells on the first floor—their luster is eye-catching in the sunlight! Take a window seat on the second floor for a seafood set meal—it's full of Okinawan charm!

2. Okinawa Market Culture: Makishi Market boasts over 60 years of history. Besides seafood, the first floor also features local ingredients like agu pork and Okinawan chili oil. The second-floor cafeteria is filled with the aroma of Okinawa! The market is filled with a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and English, and the lively atmosphere is full of Okinawan life. Wandering around feels like immersing yourself in the local community! 😊

3. Shopping on Kokusai-dori: The market is located next to Kokusai-dori, a 2-minute walk from Heiwa-dori and Ichiba-hondori. They sell Orion T-shirts (approximately 2,500 yen) and sea grape gift boxes, making them perfect for souvenirs! Kokusai-dori also features stalls selling Okinawan pottery and handicrafts, making it a great place to pick up a small souvenir! We especially recommend the Portama Makishi Ichiba branch, located right on Ichiba-hondori, right next to the market. Their made-to-order rice balls (approximately 400-800 yen) are a classic Okinawan breakfast! I ordered the special: piping hot rice wrapped in large sheets of nori seaweed and filled with savory pork. It was incredibly satisfying!

🏖️ Nearby itineraries
• Kokusai-dori: A 2-minute walk from Okinawa's largest shopping street, perfect for souvenir shopping or enjoying some Okinawan soba!
• Shurijo Castle: A 15-minute drive away, experience the historical charm of the Ryukyu Kingdom!

💡 Travel Tips
1. Budget: Seafood + cooking costs approximately 3,000 yen + parking approximately 500 yen, for a total of approximately 3,500 yen per person!
2. Outfit Tip: A floral shirt or casual T-shirt will perfectly complement the vibrant atmosphere of the market and capture the Okinawa spirit in your photos!

🌟 Overall Rating: 8.5/10
The fresh seafood and lively atmosphere of Makishi Public Market make this Naha trip quintessentially Okinawa! 💎 The joy of selecting seafood on the first floor, the satisfaction of enjoying freshly cooked dishes on the second floor, and the convenience of shopping on Kokusai-dori Street make it feel like stepping into the daily lives of Okinawans! Standing outside the market and watching the endless stream of people and feeling the vibrant energy of this place is a truly memorable experience! 😍 I'd love to come back next time to try Ise lobster and take more pictures of the market!

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