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Makishi Public Market
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Makishi Public Market

Getting around: Just off Kokusai-dori via Heiwa-dori arcade, central Naha, near the Makishi monorail station.
Hours: Most stalls open roughly 9am-8pm, though hours vary by shop and some close on rotating days.

Makishi Public Market is Naha's main fresh food market, with a ground floor of stalls selling colorful tropical fish and seafood, Okinawan pork products, and local produce, and an upstairs food court area where several stalls will cook fish you've bought downstairs for a small fee. It's a hands-on, sensory introduction to Okinawan ingredients distinct from mainland Japanese cuisine.

The market has undergone renovation in recent years, with a modernized building, but retains its role as a genuine working food market alongside its popularity with visitors.

Makishi Public Market FAQs

Can I eat what I buy downstairs?

Yes, a common system lets you buy fresh fish or seafood on the ground floor and have it cooked at an upstairs eatery for an additional cooking fee.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, it's a free public market; you pay only for what you buy.

What's distinctive about Okinawan food here?

Look for tropical reef fish, Okinawan pork products (used in dishes like rafute), and goya (bitter melon), all more typical of Okinawan cuisine than mainland Japanese food.

Is it near Kokusai-dori?

Yes, it's reached via the Heiwa-dori covered arcade just off the main shopping street.

How long should I spend there?

About 45 minutes to an hour, more if having a full meal upstairs.

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