4 Local Shops in Ishigaki — Local Shops Brimming with the Colors of Okinawa

4 Local Shops in Ishigaki — Local Shops Brimming with the Colors of Okinawa

Ishigaki’s distinctive colors extend beyond the deep blue sea and can be found all over downtown. From crafts by local artisans to desserts made with awamori, manta ray–shaped cookies and specialty coffee, discover the island’s charms at four local shops in the heart of town.

Words & Photos Ko Hyeon

Handmade Crafts by Local Artisans

Kayak
Kayak八重山工房
Located near Euglena Mall, Kayak is a select shop that gathers handmade crafts from the Yaeyama Islands, including ceramics, glassware and textiles, all in one place. Its shelves hold hand-shaped earthenware teacups, bowls fired with island sand and seashells mixed into the clay, and glasses that shimmer in different colors depending on the light. The owner carefully selects pieces from local artisans working across Ishigaki and shares the story behind each item and its maker with customers. That’s because the shop aims to be more than a place to sell things; it wants to serve as a bridge that introduces local artists to a wider audience. The staff also offer a variety of guidance on the main destinations across the Yaeyama Islands (八重山諸島), so stopping by early in your trip will get you plenty of useful information.

Hours: 10:00am~9:00pm

Instagram:  insta.kayak8

Website:    kayak8.com

Address: 270-1 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa

Spirits That Won’t Make You Tipsy

Awamori Jelly
泡盛ゼリー本舗
Awamori is Okinawa’s traditional distilled spirit, brewed from long-grain Indica rice. It is fermented with black koji mold, and because the fermentation period is short, it has a richer flavor than shochu from mainland Japan. Plenty of awamori is produced in Ishigaki, too, and there is a special way to enjoy it. Awamori Jelly, as the name suggests, specializes in jelly made with awamori. Scoop up a spoonful from the clear container, and sweet fruit aromas fill your mouth along with the subtle fragrance of awamori. The product was developed so that even those who don’t drink much can enjoy it like a dessert, without hesitation. If you’re an awamori enthusiast, start by ordering the tasting menu. You can sample several awamori, each with a different flavor depending on the distillery, and then buy the one that suits your taste, either by the bottle or as jelly.

Hours: 10:00am~10:00pm, closed Thursdays

Instagram:    awamori_jelly_honpo

Address: 280-7 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa

A New World of Cookies

MantaFrog
MantaFrog
The waters around Ishigaki are popular for snorkeling and diving, teeming with manta rays and other rare tropical fish. If underwater activities sound intimidating, head instead to MantaFrog, run by an owner who is both a diver and a pâtissier. At this cookie specialty shop, you’ll discover a new world of cookies more varied than you could imagine. The manta ray–shaped cookies are baked with brown sugar produced in Ishigaki, and their faint caramel aroma and crisp texture are especially appealing. You can also try cookies combining pepper, cheese and shikuwasa (a native Okinawan citrus), and the shop even recommends drinks that pair well with them, which is part of its charm.

Hours: 1:00pm~6:30pm

Instagram:    mantafrogcafe

Website:    mantafrog.com

Address: 3番地3 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki, Okinawa

Easygoing Specialty Coffee

Fushi Coffee Roasters
FUSHI COFFEE ROASTERS
At Fushi Coffee Roasters, on the south side of downtown, you can enjoy top-quality coffee along with Ishigaki’s signature unhurried atmosphere. The shop roasts its own seasonal green beans sourced through a fair-trade platform. Order specialty coffee carefully brewed by the barista-owner, or a hot chocolate prized for its rich cream, together with pastries baked in-house. People come as early as morning to savor a quiet cup of coffee in the warm sunlight streaming through the large windows. One corner of the shop has a kids’ play zone, making it friendly to families traveling with children. Pick up a bag of beans or drip bags, and even after your trip ends, the aroma of Ishigaki will bring you back once you’re home.

Hours: 9:00am~6:00pm, closed Sunday through Tuesday

Instagram:    fushicoffeeroasters

Website:    fushicoffee.stores.jp

Address: 9-2 1F Tonoshiro, Ishigaki, Okinawa