Makishi Market Travel Guide

Markets are the beating hearts of any region’s culinary scene, and this one is Okinawa’s. Located in Naha City, Makishi Market has the clamor and energy of a normal city market, but the goods on offer are distinctly Okinawan.

Think classic Ryukyu cuisine like goya (bittermelon), pig’s trotters, and the venomous irabu snake smoked over coals. It’s a hub of local produce and seafood, where you can buy fresh ingredients or try some fantastic local dishes from any of the dozens of small restaurants and food stalls.

If poisonous snakes and pig parts aren’t your thing, you’ll still heaps of outstanding seafood to choose from. And if you fancy yourself as a bit of a fishmonger, it’s possible to buy a fresh catch on the first floor and take it upstairs to be cooked and served for you.

With around 150 stalls in addition to the food court, you could spend a whole afternoon exploring the various offerings at Makishi Market. While you’re at it, you’ll have plenty of chances to grab some gourmet souvenirs like jars of local pickles and sauces. If you’ll be in the city on the 18th of the month, be sure to head down for their special market day, when you’ll benefit from special discounts and promos.