My blog,Owncolors Travel , is about to enter its third year! Thank you for reading.
As a travel and lifestyle blogger based in Okinawa, @owncolorstravel I share recommendations on must-visit spots in Okinawa and useful travel tips—mainly for visitors from other parts of Japan and international travelers interested in Japanese culture.
This time, I’m spending my day off exploring northern Okinawa. Since it’s a long drive up north, I’ll be stopping in Onna Village for lunch along the way.
・808Pokebowls Okinawa
808PokeBowlsOkinawa 2326-1 Onna, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture, 904-0411
Mid-March in Okinawa—clear skies and perfect weather for a drive.
Taking the local roads up Route 58, I’m heading north to Kunigami Village. But first, a lunch stop for Poke bowls!
You can’t miss this place—the Hawaiian state flag and tropical exterior, complete with palm trees, set the vibe. The parking situation was a bit confusing at first, but there’s a sign out front with directions, so just follow that and park accordingly.
Maybe because it was a weekday, I didn’t have to wait too long to order, but since it was lunchtime, the place was already pretty busy.
808 Poke Bowls Okinawa specializes in poke bowls made with fresh, locally sourced Okinawan tuna—a Hawaiian soul food with a local twist.
They also have açaí bowls on the menu, so if that’s more your thing, go for it!
You can get your order to go, but since I’m taking my time driving north, I decided to eat in.
The restaurant has both counter and table seating, and self-serve mineral water is available. You place your order and pay at the register first.
While waiting for my number to be called, I took some photos of the exterior and snapped a few selfies. The green walls and palm trees really added to the tropical vibe!
If you sit on this bench for a photo, it’s guaranteed to be a great shot!
Here’s how you order: First, choose your bowl size, then pick between white rice or 16-grain rice.
For proteins, you can choose from tuna, salmon, or octopus, and you can mix and match or add extra portions if you’d like.
I went with the ginger honey miso flavor, which the staff recommended as one of their most popular options. They also have spicy and soy wasabi flavors.
You can customize your toppings too! A local favorite is umibudō (sea grapes), while the standard toppings include onions, green onions, sesame seeds, and furikake.
Poke bowls have become really popular in Okinawa, and more places are offering them, making it easy to enjoy this Hawaiian favorite with a local twist.
I ordered a tuna and salmon poke bowl with ginger honey miso.
The rice wasn’t dry at all—it had a nice, slightly sticky texture that made it easy to pick up with chopsticks. I expected it to be served in a bowl like on their website, but it actually came in a takeout-style container.
If you want a fiber boost, you can opt for 16-grain rice instead!
Inside the restaurant, there was a small section selling original T-shirts and Hawaiian-themed goods.
All this definitely made me want to visit Hawaii again! But being able to enjoy tropical-style food right here in Okinawa, combined with a sunny-day drive, was more than enough to satisfy me. It was the perfect way to soak up the island vibes!
By the way, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in this area is Manzamo , known for its breathtaking ocean views.
It’s only about a 3-minute drive from here, so why not make a quick stop and take in the scenery?
Next time, I’ll be sharing recommendations for resort hotels in northern Okinawa.
Currently, it’s “Urijin” season in Okinawa, which refers to the time from spring to early summer (around March to May) in the local dialect.
While it gets quite humid during the rainy season, the weather is still refreshing and pleasant during this time.
Be sure to come and experience the wonderful climate of Okinawa for yourself!