Solo Summer Trip to Okinawa’s Remote Islands: Yaeyama Edition
I recently traveled solo around the Yaeyama Islands, visiting Iriomote, Taketomi, and Ishigaki. Along the way, I came across some great souvenirs from these Okinawan islands—some I just saw, and some I couldn’t resist buying myself.
If you’re looking for gift ideas to bring back for friends or loved ones after your Okinawa trip, here are some suggestions. And, don’t forget to treat yourself too!
・Souvenirs Found on Iriomote and Yubu Islands
・Sweets and Other Souvenirs You Can Buy on Yubu Island
At the souvenir shop located within the park on Yubu Island, which is famous for its water buffalo carts on Iriomote Island, you’ll find a wide variety of Okinawan souvenirs.
One standout is the Yubu Island-exclusive caramel made with Okinawan brown sugar, which comes in an adorable container—perfect for a memorable gift.
By the way, brown sugar is made from sugarcane!
The shop in the subtropical plant garden on Yubu Island has a great selection, so it’s worth stopping by to pick up some Iriomote Island souvenirs all at once. You might even find some limited-edition items.
I couldn’t resist getting the purple sweet potato “sata andagi” since I remembered a friend once said it was their favorite. They were thrilled when I gave it to them.
“Sata andagi” is an Okinawan fried donut.
They also had island-exclusive “brown sugar chinsuko” available.
・Souvenirs You Can Buy at Uehara Port Terminal
You can also buy souvenirs at the Uehara Port Densa Terminal, so I took the time to browse while waiting for my boat.
They had a variety of tropical items, including jams and honey made from local fruits like mango and pineapple—perfect for capturing the island’s tropical vibe.
The honey was particularly special; the place I stayed at served pure honey from a local apiary with breakfast, and it was rich and sweet—definitely something I recommend.
・Souvenirs from Taketomi Island
At the Taketomi Island Ferry Terminal, there was a small corner selling traditional crafts, and I checked out the cute “Minsa chopstick rests.”
Minsa is a traditional Okinawan textile, and these chopstick rests feature the Minsa pattern, making them a perfect match for Japanese tableware.
The Yaeyama Minsa is said to have originated from Taketomi Island. Minsa weaving uses cotton as the main material, primarily for making obi (sashes) and garments. The design is based on the arrangement of warp and weft threads.
On the island, you can visit the “Taketomi Mingeikan” to learn more about it. The most representative pattern consists of alternating five and four rectangular shapes, symbolizing the phrase “forever and always,” expressing the desire for lovers to stay together forever.
・Souvenir Paradise: Ishigaki Island
・Souvenirs You Can Buy in Ishigaki City
I stayed at a hotel near Ishigaki Port, and while taking a walk, I noticed that there were souvenir and craft shops lined up all around. Curious, I decided to pop into one of the shops that caught my eye.
Salt specialty shop, Ma-suya Ishigaki 1st Floor West, Maru Building, 245 Ōkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan
I stopped by the salt specialty shop, Ma-suya Ishigaki. As a dedicated salt shop, they offer not only a wide variety of domestic salts but also salts from around the world. You can even taste different salts to get a sense of their flavors. They also have soft-serve ice cream sprinkled with salt and a range of bath salts, showcasing everything you could imagine related to salt.
The shop has a carefully curated selection, with a particular focus on Okinawan salts. Detailed explanations were written on a chalkboard inside the store.
I decided to buy some bath salts to soothe my travel fatigue in the hotel’s bathtub. These bath salts are made from seawater salts from places like Ishigaki Island, Kume Island, and Miyako Island. With the natural scent of essential oils, they’re perfect for relaxing bath time, smoothing the skin with beneficial minerals, and promoting blood circulation.
These bath salts would make a great souvenir for anyone who loves relaxation items.
At Euglena Mall in Ishigaki City, Japan’s southernmost arcade shopping street, you’ll find a wide variety of souvenir shops.
Euglena Mall 203 Ōkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan
You can find a wide variety of Okinawan souvenirs at the market in that shopping street, so be sure to stop by!”
The Ishigaki City Public Market is not only great for souvenirs but also has a food court where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine, making it a top spot to savor local food. At Euglena Mall, the arcade-style design means you can spend time here even on rainy days. With fashion accessories, souvenirs, and restaurants, this is a must-visit shopping street at Japan’s southernmost point, where you’re sure to find the perfect souvenirs.
・Genki Shop
Genki Shop Ishigaki Misakicho Main Store, 9-1 Misakicho, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0012, Japan
A short walk from Euglena Mall, I noticed a lot of people inside a shop, so I decided to check it out as well.
This shop specializes in character goods of Genki-kun, the official mascot of Yaeyama Genki Dairy. It’s one of the popular souvenir shops, with adorable Genki-kun merchandise catching the eye.
What caught my attention was the Sanpin Tea Milk Tea.
Sanpin tea is a representative tea of Okinawa, with a refreshing taste similar to jasmine and a clean finish. The idea of adding the sweetness of milk to it intrigued me. Plus, the packaging is absolutely adorable.
I also recommend the gummies. I couldn’t wait until I got home, so I enjoyed them at the airport.
If you love cute character goods or are looking for the perfect Yaeyama souvenirs, the limited-edition Genki-kun items are definitely something to check out when you visit the island.
・Okinawan Souvenirs Available at Ishigaki Airport
Don’t worry if you get so caught up in your trip that you forget to buy souvenirs. You can still find plenty of great souvenirs at the airport, your final stop on the journey.
You can even buy Ishigaki beef at the airport, and they offer an option to include plenty of ice packs, so you can safely bring it home.
Direct flights from Haneda to Ishigaki Island take about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
I hope that enjoying these souvenirs at home allows you to relive the memories of your Okinawa trip and deepens your love for Okinawa, becoming a reason to want to visit again.
