I am KONY, an “Shima Naicha”, (i.e. the people who moved from mainland Japan and lives in Okinawa) who loves Okinawa very much. It has been 10 years since we moved to Okinawa due to my husband’s job transfer.
My daughter came home from school and proudly told me, “Naha City’s city fish is tuna!”
Upon further research, I found that Naha City accounts for half of the prefecture’s tuna landings and was certified as a tuna base production area in 2018.
After that, I was well convinced that whenever I see the notice of tuna “from the prefecture” in the supermarkets.
We will focus on Tomari Iyumachi, where you can eat Uchinamun* tuna in Naha City, and Naha Tuna Market, which opened in November 2023.
Be sure to stop by on your trip to Okinawa!
*Uchinamun= “Okinawan three products” in Okinawan dialect.
“Tomari Iyumachi” opened with the aim of promoting the prefecture’s marine products
Tomari Iyumachi, located in the Tomari district of Naha City, is a fish market that opened in 2005 on the grounds of Tomari Fishing Port in the port town of Naha City to promote Okinawa’s marine products.
The 23 stores specializing in tuna and mozuku, among others, are crowded with many customers visiting Okinawa for sightseeing.
Fresh seafood sold in the stores can be eaten on the spot. The freshness of the seafood after it has been landed is a delicacy that only a market can offer! With so many different types of seafood on sale, it is hard to decide which one to buy.
Some of the restaurants allow visitors to watch fish being dismantled up close!
The facility also has a glass-walled cooking room, where the tuna is being dismantled. If you time it right, you can watch the scene of the tuna being dismantled.
In addition to tuna, there are also stores that carry colorful fresh fish that are typical of the tropics.
If you like fish, we recommend coming first thing in the morning, as some stores close due to “sorry we’re sold out!”.
Okinawa Fresh Fish Wholesale Distribution Cooperative Association Tomari Iyumachi》
Address: 1-1-18 Minato-machi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
Phone number: 098-868-1096
Business hours: 6:00-18:00 (business days and hours vary by store)
Parking: Available
Access from Naha Airport
▶︎ By public transportation
Approximately 20 minutes by bus from in front of the International Passenger Terminal, get off at “Tomarin-mae ” and walk 13 minutes.
▶︎ By car
About 10 minutes via Prefectural Road 58(about 6km)
Opened in November 2023! New Tuna Spot “Naha Tuna Market”
Passing Tomari Iyumachi, the “Naha Tuna Market” opened in November 2023 as a new fish market in Naha, located further in the back of the city.
The two markets are located on the same site and may look like ” an annex”, but each is a facility owned by a different business. Therefore, the stores that are open are different, and you can enjoy a different atmosphere from that of Tomariyumachi！
Seven stores are lined up on the first floor. All of them sell a variety of tuna, “Naha’s city fish”.
Products include a block of fish filet, package of left-over flesh on the spine of tuna (i.e. “nakaochi”), sashimi, and more. Seafood other than tuna, such as octopus and squid, are also available on the market.
There is also an eat-in space and deck terrace at the end of the aisle and on the 2nd floor, where you can see ships coming and going and airplanes taking off when the weather is nice.
It is also nice to be able to purchase items you like and eat them fresh on the spot.
《Naha Tuna Market》
Address: 1-1 Minato-machi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
Phone number: 098-868-5472 (Naha Area Fishery Cooperative Association)
Business hours: 3:00 – 17:00 (close when sold out)
Closed: January 1-3, Lunar New Year’s Day
Parking: Available
Access from Naha Airport
Access is the same as Tomari Iyumachi. Take a right at Tomari Iyumachi and go further in.
▶︎ By public transportation
Take the bus from in front of the International Passenger Terminal, get off at Tomarin-mae (about 20 minutes), and walk 13 minutes.
▶︎ By car
About 10 minutes via Prefectural Road 58 (about 6km)
I love tuna, although sea bream and amberjack are also delicious. Since moving to Okinawa, I have wondered why tuna is always on sale at supermarkets.
I had no idea that Naha had a large catch of tuna! I was surprised, but it also made sense that they sell a lot of it.
The tuna you buy at the supermarket is delicious, but Tomari Iyumachi is the best place to buy such chutoro with a block of fish filet! Not only is it reasonably priced, but it is also fatty and delicious! I go to Tomari Iyumachi to buy tuna for birthdays, festivals, and other occasions.
I buy and eat the block of fish filet with my family, but recently I’ve been thinking, I’d like to try sashimi cooked on the spot.
Written by KONY
Translated by Rie
