Local Guide
6 dinner spots where you can fully enjoy the bounty of Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island is located in the Yaeyama Islands. The island boasts of its magnificent nature and is full of rich blessings from the sea, mountains, and rivers. You can enjoy many seasonal delicacies such as fish, shellfish, seaweed, gibier (Ryukyu wild boar), and wild vegetables and herbs unique to the island. Here are six restaurants where you can enjoy these delicacies to the fullest. Reservations are recommended for all of them.

The only sushi restaurant on the island serving fresh local fish.

Island Nigiri Assortment
Island Nigiri Assortment" 2,650 yen, "Deep Fried Hiramachi" 3,300 yen (depending on the size)

Only one sushi restaurant in Iriomote Island. It is run by a family, and you can enjoy fresh fish caught by the owner who is a fisherman. The "Island Nigiri Assortment" is nigiri made from fish caught at that time. On this particular day, the menu included a variety of fish caught in the surrounding waters, such as akajin (white crucian carp) and akamachi (yellowtail snapper), which are considered high-end fish on the island, as well as bitterling, taman, and seika (Japanese common squid).
The "Deep-fried Hiramachi (yellowtail)," served whole, was accompanied by shikwasa (Japanese citrus fruit). Squeeze a little to taste.

The fish is served in its most delicious way.

Fresh fish line the showcase. Counter, table, and tatami room seating available.
Fresh fish line the showcase. Counter, table, and tatami room seating available.

The proprietress originally ran a fish shop. In addition to sushi and sashimi, she also offers "island fish dishes" such as boiled, deep-fried, masu-ni (Okinawan special salt-only stew), and mizore-ni (a kind of stew with grated radish), depending on your preference. The chef will show you a large selection of the day's catch, from which you can choose.
The restaurant also offers a dish that changes daily and uses island vegetables, as well as "island fish soup. They have a wide selection of Awamori, about 20 kinds of Awamori from the prefecture, and they also recommend island sake to go with the dishes.

Local Guide Comment
The warm hospitality is also well-received.
Island Fish Cuisine Sushi Hatsue
  • address (e.g. of house) 10-120 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes drive from Uehara Port
  • Direction Take a bus from Uehara Port, get off at "Sumiyoshi" and walk 5 min.
  • Business Hours 17:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
  • Closed Tuesdays, Jan. and Feb.
  • TEL 0980-85-6023
  • Parking Free of charge

Western-style izakaya where you can enjoy elaborate dishes prepared by a veteran chef.

Tororo Soki in Red Wine
Tororo Soki in Red Wine" full of flavor 1,200 yen, "Carpaccio of fish from Iriomote Island" 950 yen

This Western-style restaurant serves excellent food prepared by a chef who has honed his skills as a chef in Hokkaido and Iriomote Island for 40 years. The "Stewed Soki with Red Wine" is a dish of pork spare ribs stewed slowly and full of flavor. It is so tender that you can eat it with chopsticks, and the taste is so delicious that it will melt in your mouth.
Carpaccio of fish from Iriomote Island" is served with fresh fish caught at that time. On this day, it was a black sea bream called "Chinu" in Okinawa. With edible flowers for color, it is a dish that is beautiful to the eye.

Cute interior with a French atmosphere

A homey restaurant run by a couple from Hokkaido, where food and drinks are served in a relaxed atmosphere.
A homey restaurant run by a couple from Hokkaido, where food and drinks are served in a relaxed atmosphere.

From snacks to main meat and fish dishes, pasta and omelette rice, there is so much to choose from on the menu that it is hard to resist. The "seafood bouillabaisse" and "mozuku porridge" are also popular. There is also a wide selection of drinks, including beer, cocktails, wine, and shochu.
The interior of the restaurant, which was decorated by the owner himself, has a cute decor and, as the name implies, a French feel can be felt here and there. Herbs are planted outside the restaurant and are also used in the cuisine. Reservations are recommended due to the popularity of the restaurant. They also offer a shuttle service for those who order one drink per person.

Local Guide Comment
The "Iriomote Island Salt Pizza" is also highly recommended. It is simple, with only cheese and salt made in Iriomote on the dough, but it is very tasty with the delicious salt.
Pari Gohan-ya
  • address (e.g. of house) 331 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 7 minutes drive from Uehara Port
  • Direction Take a bus from Uehara Port, get off at "Nakano" bus stop, and walk about 1 minute.
  • Hours of Operation 18:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
  • Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
  • TEL 0980-85-6137
  • Parking Free of charge

Izakaya where you can fully enjoy the island's ingredients in a carefully selected space

Freshly caught
Freshly caught "Ryukyu wild boar tataki from Iriomote Island" 2,310 yen, "Margherita" 1,540 yen

Located near a beautiful cape called Unarizaki, this izakaya has a great atmosphere. You can see the sea and mountains from the restaurant. The "Ryukyu wild boar tataki" from Iriomote Island, which is only available because it is fresh, has no smell and the balance of lean meat and fat is very flavorful. It is served with plenty of condiments. Other wild boar dishes include "Ryukyu Wild Boar Stewed Motsuke".
Pizza, handmade from the dough and baked at high temperature, is also popular. The classic "Margherita" is a simple dish with a delicious taste of tomato, basil, and dough.

The atmosphere and comfortable music will satisfy both your stomach and your mind.

Sophisticated interior and interior design with the owner's sense of style. Counter and table seating available.
Sophisticated interior and interior design with the owner's sense of style. Counter and table seating available.

The menu is wide-ranging, offering a variety of dishes from grilled skewers to Western-style snacks, pasta, and even ramen and pho to finish off the meal. Sakes made with soaked island fruits, such as "Iriomotejima Sangria" and "Iriomotejima Lemonade," are also popular.
You can enjoy the owner's specialties in food and drinks in a comfortable restaurant with a high ceiling and pleasant music playing. The restaurant is also recommended at dusk, when you can watch the sky turn beautifully red. Reservations are essential during the summer season.

Local Guide Comment
Many menus have half-size portions, so you can enjoy a variety of dishes little by little. Hot coffee is also available as a service, which is a nice touch.
Satonushi
  • address (e.g. of house) 10-157 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes drive from Uehara Port
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from Uehara Port, get off at "Sumiyoshi" and walk about 8 minutes.
  • Business Hours 18:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
  • Closed Tuesdays
  • TEL 0980-85-7339
  • Parking Free of charge

Izakaya where you can enjoy traditional island home cooking

Sashimi Salad
Sashimi Salad" 990 yen, "Tempura of Arsa" 880 yen

An izakaya serving island cuisine located in the peaceful village of Sumiyoshi in the western part of Iriomote Island. You can enjoy fresh fish from the island and traditional home-style dishes prepared by the owner, who is from the island. The "osasimi salad," which features the freshest fish of the day, on this particular day consisted of tuna, swordfish, and sea grapes.
Tempura of Artha" is made with a lot of Artha (Aosa), which is abundant in early spring, and deep-fried in a flour batter. The crispy and savory taste allows you to enjoy the bounty of the sea.

The banyan tree painted on the outside wall of the restaurant is a landmark.

Table, tatami room, and counter seating are available, making it easy to come in alone.
Table, tatami room, and counter seating are available, making it easy to come in alone.

Since its opening 20 years ago, the restaurant has gained popularity for its hearty dishes. The menu includes many Okinawan home-style dishes such as "Island Tofu with Mimigar", "Ashi-Tebichi", and "Somen Chanpuru". Check the blackboard for other snacks made with seasonal island products of the time.
You can also enjoy beer, a wide selection of awamori, and cocktails made with awamori, as well as fresh tropical fruit juices such as locally grown mango and pineapple during the summer. With a phone reservation, they also offer take-out service before business hours.

Local Guide Comment
The large "chicken fried chicken" is also popular among the locals. You can enjoy a leisurely meal in a family-like atmosphere at this restaurant.
Izakaya Gajumaru
  • address (e.g. of house) 10-131 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes drive from Uehara Port
  • Direction Take a bus from Uehara Port, get off at "Sumiyoshi" and walk 5 min.
  • Business Hours 18:00-22:00(L.O.21:30)
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 0980-85-6625
  • Parking Free of charge

A local izakaya serving a variety of fish dishes.

Large
Large "Steamed Sawtooth Turban" (3,000 yen), "Deep-fried Gurukun" (770 yen)

This izakaya offers island cuisine, mainly fish, using ingredients from Iriomote Island and the islands of Yaeyama. Sawtooth turban shells, which live in the mangroves, are packed with meat and full of flavor. The "Steamed Sawtooth Turban", which must be reserved at least one day in advance, is a luxurious whole steamed fish served with ponzu (Japanese sauce made from ponzu citrus juice). The crab miso is also delicious.
The "deep-fried gurukun," a fish native to Okinawa, is also deep-fried whole, and is served crispy and savory, all the way down to the bones.

A lively restaurant where islanders also come to drink

The restaurant is cozy and relaxing. There are table seats and counter seats.
The restaurant is cozy and relaxing. There are table seats and counter seats.

The owner of the restaurant, who worked at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo for many years, opened the restaurant in 2015 and offers a wide variety of nigiri-zushi and maki-zushi made with seafood from the islands. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of island snacks, including the popular grilled Kurumayebi from TaketomiIsland.
There are also rare dishes such as "Spicy Spiny Spider Lobster". Hikage hego is a fern plant that grows up to 5 meters long, and only the shoots can be cooked. There are also meat dishes such as "Tataki of Misaki Beef from Ishigaki" and "Tebichi". Pick-up service is also available with advance reservation.

Local Guide Comment
The shells of the large sawtooth turban shells are very thick, so they break them open to make them easier to eat. The meat is really dense, so you will go crazy eating it.
Izakaya Yoshi
  • address (e.g. of house) 397-45 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes walk from Uehara Port
  • Direction Take a bus from Uehara Port, get off at "Uehara Elementary School" and walk about 3 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 18:00-22:30
  • Closed Tuesdays
  • TEL 0980-85-7533
  • Parking Free of charge

An Authentic Italian Restaurant Full of Island Ingredients

Iriomote beef roast beef
Iriomote beef roast beef" (1,200 yen), "Mozuku and shrimp in tomato cream sauce" (1,650 yen)

Surrounded by palm trees, this Italian Restaurant with its log house-style building is very tropical. The menu features island ingredients transformed into Italian cuisine. It is one of the few restaurants where you can eat beef raised in Iriomote, which is purchased directly from fattening farmers.
Iriomote Beef Roast Beef" which is cooked slowly is tender and has a deep flavor. It is served with balsamic vinegar for a refreshing taste. The "Mozuku and Shrimp with Tomato Cream Sauce" uses mozuku seaweed from the island. Mozuku is an unexpected combination of pasta and mozuku, but the rich sauce with the flavor of shrimp is irresistible.

Many food menus to go with carefully selected wines

The restaurant has a bright and casual atmosphere with lots of greenery.
The restaurant has a bright and casual atmosphere with lots of greenery.

The chef originally came from the world of creative cuisine, but in 2015, there were no Italian restaurants on the island, so he decided to open an Italian Restaurant. He says, "I try to incorporate as much of the island's ingredients as possible, and I want people to enjoy dishes that are unique to the area."
The restaurant offers many appetizers, meat and fish dishes, as well as pasta and pizza, and is recommended for those with children who are in the midst of eating (*preschool children are not allowed in the restaurant). The restaurant also offers a wide variety of homemade sweets and alcoholic beverages such as wine and cocktails.

Local Guide Comment
Every Friday (check their Instagram), bread baked by the chef's wife is available in the store. They are so popular with the islanders that they sell out quickly. On bread day, you will see a bread sign out front of the store.
Island Italian en
  • address (e.g. of house) 870-192 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from Uehara Port
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from Uehara Port, get off at Urauchi, and walk 5 minutes.
  • Business Hours 18:00-22:00 (L.O.21:00) *Closed at 21:00 from November to March (L.O.20:00)
  • Closed Saturday, Sunday
  • TEL 0980-85-6457
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Preschool children are not allowed in the restaurant.
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.