Japan | Southern Okinawa: Giant Ice Cream & Hidden Gem Donuts.
🛍️ If you've already strolled down Kokusai Dori and checked out the aquarium up north and Kouri Island, and you're craving a different slice of Okinawa, this half-day or full-day itinerary from Naha is right up your alley. It shows you the flip side of Okinawa: an Outlet mall, a massive ice cream cone, a local conveyor belt sushi joint, A&W, an aquarium, and some hidden gem donuts from a farmer's market.
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🛒 Stop 1: Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa
Just a 20-30 minute drive from downtown Naha in the morning, you'll hit the Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa. It's not as bustling as American Village, but it boasts a solid range of brands, including sporting goods stores. The outdoor area features spacious seating and green lawns, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll.
We didn't buy much, but just walking around and catching the breeze was super relaxing.
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🍦 Stop 2: Blue Seal Toyosaki (Giant Ice Cream Photo Op)
A quick 5-minute drive from the Outlet, you'll spot an oversized ice cream sign—this is the Blue Seal Toyosaki store. Blue Seal is Okinawa's go-to local ice cream brand, serving up a ton of flavors (like purple yam, mango, and salted caramel).
The giant ice cream model at the entrance is a must-shoot Instagram spot; posing next to it is super cute. The inside is roomy too, with plenty of seating to sit down and enjoy your treat. We ordered a double scoop of purple yam and salted caramel. The purple yam was super rich, and the salted caramel had just the right hint of saltiness without being too heavy.
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🍣 Lunch: Local Conveyor Belt Sushi
There are plenty of dining options near the Outlet and Blue Seal, and we went with a rather unassuming conveyor belt sushi spot. Zero tourists, strictly locals. The sushi was super fresh! We grabbed a few plates of cooked shrimp, tamagoyaki, crab sticks, and eel (tons of options even if you don't do raw fish). At around 150-300 yen per plate, it's incredibly budget-friendly. If seafood isn't your thing, they've got udon noodles and fried foods too.
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🍟 Afternoon: A&W Curly Fries + Aquarium
A&W is a super common American fast-food chain in Okinawa. With lots of seating and blasting AC, it's the perfect spot to dodge the afternoon sun. We ordered their signature Curly Fries, which are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and dusted with a savory, addictive seasoning. Pure indulgence.
Nearby, you'll find the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum or Toyosaki Seaside Park, as well as a smaller-scale aquarium (not as massive as Churaumi). We popped into one of the aquariums—no tourist crowds meant we could take our time watching the fish. If aquariums aren't your vibe, a stroll along the beach is a great alternative.
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🍩 Surprise: Ring Donuts from a Farmer's Market
On our way back, we stumbled upon a local agricultural direct sales store (kind of like a farmer's market). They sell local veggies, fruits, pickles, and handmade snacks. We found these ring-shaped donuts in a bunch of different flavors. We'd never seen anything like them in the supermarkets on Kokusai Dori, so they must be homemade by local farmers.
We bought a few for afternoon tea. They tasted like fried bread—crispy outside, soft inside, and not too sweet. If you love hunting for hidden treasures, I definitely recommend pulling over whenever you see a "農産物直売所" (Farmer's Market) sign.
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💡 Quick Tips
1. The Outlet gets pretty packed on weekends, so aim for a weekday morning.
2. The giant Blue Seal ice cream is a great photo op—wear light-colored clothes to make your pics pop.
3. A&W's curly fries are a must-order 😛😛
4. Farmer's markets are hidden treasure troves for snacks you won't find in regular supermarkets.
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📌 Wrap-Up
This itinerary doesn't feature Cape Manzamo, Kouri Island, or the Churaumi Aquarium. Instead, you get to shop at an Outlet, snap pics with giant ice cream, eat local conveyor belt sushi, grab A&W, and discover hidden gem donuts. If you've been to Okinawa a few times and want to switch things up, this route will give you some fresh surprises.
"The other side of Okinawa: The breeze at the Outlet, the sweetness of Blue Seal, the crunch of A&W, the donuts at the farmer's market—and the peace and quiet away from the tourist crowds." 🍦🍩