First Makishi Public Market

Daiichi Makishi Public Market is a market near Kokusai-dori in Okinawa. Popular with tourists, it is also called the kitchen of Naha residents. You’ll see Okinawa-specific items like pig faces and feet, as well as unusual fish. The second floor has dining spaces where you can eat. The system is to buy ingredients on the first floor and bring them upstairs to have them cooked—this is called “mochiage.” You can also just take items home, but since cooking can be done cheaply (about 500 yen), it’s a great deal. Note that some items can’t be mochiage-cooked, so ask the shop staff each time. Around year-end, it can get so crowded you can barely see the road, so if you want the intense packed-market experience, aim for busy times. When you reach Heiwa-dori, it’s a great place to stop by. Fruits you can buy casually are also sold. Access is about a 10-minute walk from Yui Rail Makishi Station via Kokusai-dori.