Okinawa’s Finest: Your Guide to the 8 Best Specialty Coffee Cafes

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著者について

  • Former barista from Osaka
  • Passionate about specialty coffee
  • Explored global coffee cultures during 3 years abroad
  • Light roast coffee enthusiast
  • Always seeks out cafes when visiting new places

Let me guide you through Okinawa’s best cafes! ☕️

Here’s the list of cafes we’ll be introducing:

Area ParkingTakeoutSeating
COFFEE potohotoNaha City
3min from Asato Sta.
Nearby pay parkingAvailable
Tamagusuku Coffee RoastersNaha City
6min from Makishi Sta.
Nearby pay parkingAvailable
Tasokare CoffeeNaha City
3min from Miebashi Sta.
Nearby pay parkingAvailable
Okinawa Cerrado CoffeeUrasoe CityAvailableAvailable
FLAP COFFEE ROASTERIAFutenma City
Nago City
AvailableAvailable
ONIYANMA COFFEEChatan TownAvailableAvailable
COFFEE SENTIMotobu Town
Urasoe City
AvailableAvailable
Matayoshi Coffee FarmKunigami DistrictAvailableAvailable
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Who Will Benefit from This Guide?

  • Those wanting to enjoy delicious specialty coffee in Okinawa
  • People looking for photogenic cafes
  • Friends or couples searching for stylish cafes
  • Travelers seeking cafes with a local Okinawan atmosphere

As a former barista who worked in specialty coffee cafes while living abroad, I have a deep passion for coffee culture, especially light roast specialty coffee!

Whether you’re an Okinawa resident or visiting for travel or business, I hope you’ll find this guide useful!

Note: This article includes images from official websites and social media accounts of the cafes, used with permission. Please refrain from unauthorized use or misuse of these images.

Note: This article includes images from official websites and social media accounts of the cafes, used with permission.
Please refrain from unauthorized use or misuse of these images.

COFFEE potohoto

Nestled in the charming Sakaemachi Shopping Street, “COFFEE potohoto” exudes a refined atmosphere befitting its location.

This authentic café specializes in house-roasted coffee, offering multiple varieties. What’s particularly noteworthy is the owner’s dedication to staying current.

They regularly visit coffee farms and actively participate in specialty coffee events, ensuring they’re always up-to-date with the latest information.

They even offer Geisha variety coffee from Taiwan, which is still quite rare to find!

Interestingly, the second floor occasionally hosts mobile massage services.

This multifaceted approach, extending beyond a typical café, has endeared COFFEE potohoto to locals as a place offering diverse experiences.

・Location
Yui Rail:3 min walk from Asato Station (Exit 2)
-About 20 min walk from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Sundays
Official HP/Official instagram

Tamagusuku Coffee Roasters

Located just a step away from the bustle of Kokusai Street, “Tamagusuku Coffee Roasters” embodies the perfect blend of “delicious coffee” and “tranquility” for me.

I ordered their Chinese coffee.

The experience of sipping this coffee while gazing at the leisurely flow of people from a window seat felt like the most luxurious moment of my trip.

It’s an ideal spot to refresh your mind and body during your travels.

However, it’s advisable to check their official social media for operating hours before visiting, as they sometimes have unexpected closures.

・Location
Yui Rail:13 min walk from Makishi Station (Exit 1)
-About 6 min walk from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays and Fridays
Official HP/Official instagram

Tasokare Coffee

When I visited, their curry was incredibly popular. Almost all customers seemed to come for the curry, which was surprising. They offer a wide variety of food items and pay attention to ingredient quality, which explains its popularity.

I was also surprised to see vegetables for sale! While I couldn’t buy any as a traveler, I’d definitely want to if I lived in Okinawa!

I had already had a hearty lunch when I visited, so I couldn’t try the food… I regret not researching beforehand. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the coffee.

The shop has a slow, relaxed atmosphere that I really like. The interior, filled with a mix of coffee and spice aromas, is mysteriously calming.

・Location
Yui Rail:3 min walk from Miebashi Station (Exit 1)
-About 6 min walk from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: Thursdays, Sundays, and public holidays
Parking: None (nearby parking available)
Official instagram

Okinawa Cerrado Coffee

“Okinawa Cerrado Coffee” has two branches in Urasoe City. The Minatogawa store, in particular, boasts an impressive exterior with a striking contrast of white and lime green, embodying a tropical atmosphere.

The café’s true forte lies in its coffee tasting system. In the diverse world of specialty coffee, finding your perfect cup can be challenging. Here, you can sample before ordering, ensuring a satisfying choice.

They have over 10 types of coffee in glass pods for tasting.

Even if you’re wary of the acidity in light roasts but want to try, being able to taste a sip beforehand is reassuring.

Moreover, knowledgeable staff provide detailed guidance. Enjoying coffee with information about its aroma, taste, and characteristics is certainly more enjoyable than just drinking it without context.

Their stylish package designs are another attraction, perfect for gifts or souvenirs.

・Location(Minatogawa)
-About 21 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 11:00-18:00
Parking: Available (limited spaces)
Official HP/Official instagram

・Location(Urasoe)
-About 17 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Parking: Available (within PARCO)
Official HP/Official instagram

FLAP COFFEE

With branches in Futenma and Nago, “FLAP COFFEE” is a dedicated café offering house-roasted beans carefully selected from around the world.

Their extensive range of beans from Africa, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and local Okinawa is truly remarkable and irresistible for coffee lovers.

They even have Esmeralda Geisha! While Geisha varieties are becoming more common, there’s something special about Esmeralda that always makes me want to try it.

Their drip bag packaging design is also noteworthy.

Adorned with artistic illustrations, it’s visually appealing and makes for an excellent gift for coffee enthusiasts or as a souvenir.

The café’s relaxed atmosphere is perfect for spending leisurely time. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Nago or Futenma areas.

・Location(Futenma)
-About 30 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 8:00-17:00
Closed: Thursdays
Parking: Available (in the adjacent RYUBO parking)
Official HP/Official instagram

・Location(Nago)
-About 1 hour 10 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 8:00-17:00
Closed: Thursdays
Parking: Available (6 spaces)
Official HP/Official instagram

ONIYANMA COFFEE

The popular Sapporo-based “ONIYANMA COFFEE” has expanded to Okinawa!

Here, you can enjoy the luxury of tasting beans meticulously roasted at their Sapporo main store, right in Okinawa.

Their diverse menu is particularly noteworthy.
Food menu:https://oniyanmacoffee.jp/menu.html#03

While their Okinawa-exclusive blend coffee is attractive, their food menu is equally impressive.

Offering additive-free sweets and food, as well as vegan options, they cater to a wide range of preferences.

Located in the tourist hotspot of American Village, this café is a rare gem providing authentic specialty coffee.

It uniquely bridges the charm of Hokkaido and Okinawa through coffee, offering a distinctive value.

The café also has a lovely nighttime ambiance.

・Location
-About 40 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 9:30-19:00
Closed: Mondays
Parking: Available (within American Village)
Official HP/Official instagram

COFFEE SENTI

My encounter with “COFFEE SENTI” began at a coffee event in Hanshin Department Store, Osaka. Impressed by the staff’s courteous service and extensive knowledge, I later visited their actual store!

The spacious interior exudes a calm atmosphere. A wide variety of coffee and some baked goods are available, offering the joy of selection based on personal preference.

Notably, they serve Okinawan coffee, which wasn’t available at the Osaka event. Tasting locally grown Okinawan coffee, which is still quite rare, is a precious experience!

・Location(Motobu)
-About 1 hour 20 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 11:00-17:00 (weekdays), 9:00-18:00 (weekends and holidays)
Closed: Irregular
Parking: Available
Official instagram(Motobu)

・Location(Urasoe)
-About 20 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 11:00-17:00 (food and drinks until 16:00)
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays
Parking: 2 spaces for Kei cars or nearby parking
Official instagram(Urasoe)

For more details, check out this article:

Matayoshi Coffee Farm

“Matayoshi Coffee Farm” is more than just a coffee plantation; it’s a multifaceted attraction. Various activities and experiences like barbecues are available, ensuring enjoyment even for those not particularly interested in coffee.

As a coffee farm, you can experience the entire coffee process from cultivation to serving. This might be the only place in Japan where you can do this!

For coffee enthusiasts, the greatest appeal is undoubtedly the opportunity to taste coffee made from their home-grown beans. Experiencing the entire process from cultivation to cup in one location is a precious opportunity rarely found elsewhere.

With a rich menu including curry, light meals, and smoothies, it’s an ideal destination combining sightseeing and dining. It’s a unique place where you can experience Okinawa’s distinctive coffee culture while surrounded by nature.

・Location
-About 1 hour 30 min drive from the center of Kokusai Street
Hours: 10:00-17:00 (weekdays), 9:30-17:00 (weekends and holidays)
Closed: Mondays
Parking: Available (30 spaces)
Official HP/Official instagram

For more details, check out this article:

Summary: Best Specialty Coffee Cafes in Okinawa

As indicated by the “8 selections,” this is not a ranking, and we won’t decide which is the best! Each cafe is sure to provide a satisfying experience.

All the cafes introduced here have their unique characteristics and reflect a strong passion for coffee.

They are all excellent establishments.

Here’s the list again for your reference

【Okinawa Light Roast Cafes】

Area ParkingTakeoutSeating
COFFEE potohotoNaha City
3min from Asato Sta.
Nearby pay parkingAvailable
Tamagusuku Coffee RoastersNaha City
6min from Makishi Sta.
Nearby pay parkingAvailable
Tasokare CoffeeNaha City
3min from Miebashi Sta.
Nearby pay parkingAvailable
Okinawa Cerrado CoffeeUrasoe CityAvailableAvailable
FLAP COFFEE ROASTERIAFutenma City
Nago City
AvailableAvailable
ONIYANMA COFFEEChatan TownAvailableAvailable
COFFEE SENTIMotobu Town
Urasoe City
AvailableAvailable
Matayoshi Coffee FarmKunigami DistrictAvailableAvailable

As a former barista, I often chat with the cafe staff, and I’m always impressed by their friendliness and passion for coffee! It’s heartwarming to see them engaging in friendly conversation with new customers, creating a true cafe atmosphere.

I obtained permission to take photos for this article. I’m truly grateful to all the cafes for their cooperation.

However, it’s a fact that there are many people with poor manners these days. While it’s understandable to get excited about beautiful latte art or stylish interiors, please observe basic manners and rules. From my experience as a barista, even one person with poor manners can really dampen the mood for the day…

Basic Etiquette

・Refrain from excessive chatting while the staff are working, as they calculate quantities and timing precisely.
・Some cafes limit the number of photos you can take, so always follow their rules.
・The taste of coffee, whether hot or iced, changes over time. Don’t let your coffee go cold while focusing on taking photos.

Let’s enjoy delicious coffee together by following the rules and ensuring a pleasant day for everyone!

There are still many more recommended specialty coffee cafes.

If you’re interested, please check out our articles on specialty coffee cafes in other areas like Osaka, Kyoto, and Sapporo!

スペシャリティコーヒー情報/Specialty Coffee
日本、海外のスペシャリティコーヒー情報を紹介。 Introducing information on specialty coffee from Japan and overseas.

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