3 Okinawa frosty tropical sweets
The most important Okinawan fruits!
Mango
Season: Jun–Jul
The king of Okinawan fruits, the apple mango is known for its sweetness.
Guava
Season: Aug–Oct
A juicy fruit with a strong fruity aroma that you can have raw. It is also called ‘panshiru’ in Okinawa.
Pineapple
Season: Jul–Nov
There are many different varieties including beach pineapple, with its sweet aroma. The most pineapples in Japan are produced by Higashi-son Village in the northern part of the Main Island of Okinawa.
Island banana
Season: Jun–Sep
A locally grown banana with concentrated sweetness. It’s more expensive than regular bananas as its production is very limited.
Dragon fruit
Season: Jul–Nov
A fruit belonging to the cactus family, its red or white flesh has a light taste (despite what you expect from its appearance).
Sheqwasha
Season: Jul–Feb
A fruit commonly used in sour juices and as a replacement for sudachi lemon. In Japanese it is called the ‘Hirami’ lemon.
Passion fruit
Season: Feb–Jul
Known for its jelly-like flesh, the seeds are edible, giving the flesh that lumpy texture.
Ice mountain (shaved ice) with tropical fruits
It’s a fruit pyramid! The ice cream and fruit toppings complement each other very well.
Gelato loaded with tropical fruits and famous local snacks. There are plenty of chilly sweets that bring a smile with each bite. Cool down with zenzai and other delicious treats.
Soupple (dragon fruit) ¥450
A mix of jelly and fruit juice. Come experience this low calorie juice!
Ice cream champuru ¥500
Your choice of ice cream with rice pearls and yoghurt. Limited from Oct to Jun.
Store recommendation
Ryu-Pin 琉冰 West Cost Resort
Well-known for its shaved ice topped with locally farmed seasonal fruits, there is a rich variety to pick from, especially during summer, including mango, pineapple, dragon fruit and others. Expect a long queue during holidays.
Kin Onna no Eki, 1656-9, Nakadomari, Onna-son Village
4km from Ishikawa IC
10 am – 7 pm
None
124 spaces
Use benches at Onna No Eki (non-smoking tables available)
* Fruit availability will vary by season
‘This is Southern Country!’ is shown at the entrance. The staff are also friendly.
Okinawa fruit parfait ¥1300
The refreshing homemade frozen yogurt brings out the flavour of the fruits.
Papaya Island Banana Watermelon Dragon fruit Starfruit Yam Passion fruit Sheqwasa
Store recommendation
BRILLIANTE MOTOBU HILLS Near Churaumi Aquarium
Luxurious sweets with the taste of local fruits! Have a moment of bliss on the terrace seats with a view of the East China Sea and Sesokojima Island.
522-1, Sakimotobu, Motobu-cho
20 km from Kyoda IC
11.30 am – 6 pm
Thu– Fri (Jul–Sep, Thu only)
8 spaces
32 seats (non-smoking café)
* Lodgings are available.
Traditional taste zenzai: 3-coloured kintoki
Okinawan zenzai is not a red bean soup, but a dessert of shaved ice. Cool and sweet, zenzai is a traditional dessert in Okinawa for summer.
Made with 3 colours from strawberry, lemon and melon syrup. This beautiful zenzai was born in this veteran shop.
Delicious Bean-telligence
Kintoki beans are boiled down to a sweet blend, topped with shaved ice and sweetened with brown sugar or syrup. Many new variations have recently been created.
【How long has zenzai existed?】
There is a 50-year-old photo in ‘Sennich’ of a shop with the word ‘zenzai’ on it. That is the oldest known record of its existence
Store recommendation
Higashi Shokudo ひがし食堂 Near Churaumi Aquarium
Opened 38 years ago, cold dishes such as zenzai are well-loved here. The most popular item is milk zenzai (¥360).
2-7-1, Ohigashi, Nago City
8km from Kyoda IC
11 am – 6.30 pm last order
Mon (Jul–Aug, none)
4 spaces
30 seats (non-smoking store)
* This store has that lively, big city atmosphere.
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