Is there a convenience store in Iriomote Island? Thorough explanation of the shopping situation in Iriomote Island

There are no convenience stores on Iriomote Island!

Iriomote Island, a subtropical island surrounded by untouched natural forest since ancient timesis rare in Japan.mangrove forestThe fact that there are andIriomote wildcat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis)and ... andYaeyama flying fox (Pteropus volitans)The island itself is registered as a World Natural Heritage site because of its numerous endemic species, including

To touch such beautiful nature unique to Iriomote Island and to observe rare creatures will be a precious experience that you can never have in other places.

In addition, Iriomote Island isWarm climate all year roundThis makes it easy to spend time during your stay and is a perfect travel destination.

Many of you may be considering a trip to Iriomote Island, which is overflowing with such natural attractions.

However, because of the island's unspoiled natural beauty, it can be inconvenient for those who are used to a more convenient lifestyle.

For example,There is no convenience store in Iriomote Island.However, there are a surprisingly large number of visitors to the area who are unaware of this fact.

There are many famous convenience store chains in Okinawa City and Ishigaki Island, but no such convenience store has yet landed on Iriomote Island.

Therefore, this time, we will introduce information on shopping in Iriomote Island where there are no convenience stores, and information on supermarkets where you can purchase food and daily necessities.

If you are considering a trip to the area, please see the end of this page.

Click here to book ferry tickets to Iriomote Island.

 

Let's use supermarkets for shopping.
Supermarkets in Iriomote Island

I told you that there are no convenience stores on Iriomote Island,Several convenient supermarkets exist as alternatives to convenience storesThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

They may be better imagined as local stores and food stores rather than large supermarkets or shopping malls.

In any case, there is a supermarket, which can be utilized when you arrive at the site and need to purchase food, daily necessities, etc., if you are short of something to bring with you or if you want to buy something.

Iriomote Island also serves as a maritime gateway toUehara Port, ,Ohara PortThere are two ports of entry, but most supermarkets are located in thisnear a portIt is very convenient to stop by on foot, as it is located in

Further,Iriomote Island local foods and products unique to local supermarketsare sold and so on,Souvenirs that are not sold in chain storesand purchase souvenirs, so for those who do not have time to go to a souvenir shop, this will be an opportunity to purchase souvenirs more easily.

From here, we will introduce some recommended supermarkets in Iriomote Island, which you should check out if you are planning a trip there!

 

Kawamitsu Supermarket (Uehara Port area)

Contrary to the appearance of Kawamitsu Supermarket, which looks like an old-fashioned store,General supermarket that is said to have the widest selection of goods in Iriomote Island.The store is located in the center of the city and contains not only prepared foods and boxed lunches, but also daily necessities, souvenirs, fruits from the prefecture, medicines, and more.

There is a full lineup of easy-to-eat foods such as onigiri (rice balls) and other daily necessities, and there is also a wide variety of coCan be used just like a convenience store.It is very popular.

The supermarket also has a farm-directOkinawa Fruitsare fresh and tasty, and also because they are shipped out of the prefecture,A great souvenir for family and friends!It is.

The store itself has long been a favorite of local customers, and continues to be loved by tourists and guests of nearby accommodations as a convenient supermarket nearest the port.

Address: 547-1 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Access from Uehara Port: 1 minute walk toward Shirahama area
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (seven days a week)

 

Super Yae (Uehara Port area)

Super Yae is,Local supermarketand offers a wide variety of products, including food, daily necessities, Iriomote Island specialties, drinking water, organic and additive-free foods, and more.

We have a good selection of drinking water and alcoholic beverages,Okinawa's standard Orion beerand ... andthin-skinned flat lemon juiceYou can also get products that are hard to find in the city center, such as

In addition to POPs introducing products in the store,Information on restaurants around Uehara Port and in the western areais postedThe restaurant is located in the center of the city and will help you find a restaurant during your sightseeing tour.

The wide selection of ready-to-eat foods such as bento lunches, prepared breads, and sashimi makes it a great place to stop by for lunch or to choose a side dish for dinner.

Bento and side dishes can be ordered in advance by phone, so please take advantage of this advance reservation service if you are planning to use the restaurant with a large group.

Address: 330-2 Aza-Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan (Nakano Beach)
Access from Uehara Port: 5-7 minutes by car from Uehara Port on the Shirahama Minami Kazami Line
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (open year-round except New Year's Day)

 

Tamamori Supermarket (Ohara Port area)

Tamamori Supermarket is,Largest supermarket in the Ohara Port areaIt is.

It is open as early as 7:15 a.m. and stays open until 9:00 p.m. It is also open 24/7, offering the convenience of a convenience store.

The store's products are generally priced low,Easy to use for everyday useI am sure you will.

In addition to homemade boxed lunches, prepared foods, and chilled foods, the store also carries a large selection of local gourmet products from Okinawa and Iriomote Island.

Among them, a wide variety of homemade hamburgers, side dishes, spam rice balls, and sataa andagi (Okinawan doughnuts) are popular as easy-to-eat items, making them a fun choice.

Be sure to look in early, as they are sometimes sold out at lunchtime.

In addition, every Sunday, Kinjo Soba noodles and eggs are on sale, so if you are lucky enough to stop by on Sunday during your Iriomote Island sightseeing, you can get the products at a discount!

Furthermore, it would be a nice point to be able to pay with electronic money or credit cards, which few stores in Iriomote Island still handle.

Address: 201-73, Minami-fumi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Access from Ohara Port: 5 min. walk from Ohara Port
Hours: 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (seven days a week)

 

It is recommended to purchase in advance in Ishigaki Island!

As we have told you, there are no convenience stores on Iriomote Island, and if you want to buy food or daily necessities, especially around the port, which is the entrance to Iriomote Island, you have no choice but to use supermarkets or hotel stores.

However, there is a limit to what can be purchased at hotel stores, and it is highly likely that supermarkets do not sell the daily necessities that you use regularly.

In addition, since the opening hours of each store may change, it may be difficult to stop by a supermarket in Iriomote Island due to the sightseeing schedule.

In addition, you can enjoy Iriomote Island with peace of mind by making sure that you carry medicine, regular supplies, food, drinking water, etc. in advance so that you can move according to your schedule after arriving at the site and concentrate on sightseeing.

In such cases,It is recommended to purchase necessary items in Ishigaki Island in advance.It is.

If it is on Ishigaki Island,Convenience stores as well as major chain stores and several supermarkets are available.Therefore, a wide variety of products can be purchased.

Another key point is that a large chain restaurant can move according to schedule, as fluctuations in operating hours are unlikely to occur without a lot of work.

To avoid panicking when you arrive at Iriomote Island and find that you are missing something, make sure you are fully prepared by purchasing in advance and have enough time to spare at the site!

 

summary

In Iriomote Island, there are many cases where things that are commonplace in Okinawa Island and Honshu, such as convenience stores, do not exist.

In addition, although there are supermarkets on the island, there are not many of them, and most of the stores are similar to stores and function as community-based stores used by local residents.

In other words, it is important to first understand that supermarkets in Iriomote Island do not exist for tourists, and that they are facilities that support the daily lives of local people.

It is also important to shop while observing the rules of each store, for example, throwing food scraps and wrappings from supermarket purchases into designated trash cans or taking them home with you.

The lack of convenience stores and stores is one of the charms of Iriomote Island, and we hope you will enjoy your life in the area to the fullest.