Have you ever experienced having a hard time finding a supermarket while traveling in Okinawa as you're not quite sure what to look for? Maybe that's when you're driving from Naha airport to north for places such as Churaumi Aquarium, and you want to make a stop for a light snack.
Although there are numerous buildings and all the signs look the same, if you already know what local stores look like and what they sell, you won't have to waste your time trying to find one.
So, here are five major supermarkets which you will most likely encounter anywhere on the island.
Max Value
Max Value (MaxValu) is one of the supermarkets operated by AEON and easily noticeable with a big red sign.
Their pricing is neither cheap nor expensive. They always have a big variety of snack foods, from fried chicken and fried Okinawan doughnuts to lunch boxes and sushi.
When it comes to sushi, I prefer Max Value for its wider selection of sushi. Not to mention, sushi sold in supermarkets here is safe and delicious so you don't have to worry about getting sick.
While making a stop at Max Value, you can also make your kids who might have gone grumpy from the long drive pleased with this fabulous section, a bewildering array of small snacks!
As you can see in the picture, each one can be purchased for a small price so the kids will be thrilled to pick whatever they want. Usually, there are small baskets installed nearby for kids to use, making it even fun for them to shop.
It might seem like nothing, but I remember my childhood being overjoyed about picking out favorites from a numerous selection of snacks, and as a matter of fact, I still love it!
Max Value also has a wide array of alcohol to choose from!
Additionally, if you're low on yen, their ATM accepts most international debit cards.
Big Express
Big is also a chain supermarket of AEON, carrying good quality products that are generally cheaper.
If you come across one of the Big chain stores, I'd recommend stopping by. We love to visit one by our house for ice cream as this saves us around 50 yen each compared to most other stores.
As Big Express is also apart of AEON, look out for the pink ATM if you need cash too.
San-A
San-A is the major local supermarket whose pricing is almost the same as Max Value. I'd venture to say that their levels of product quality are on the same level comparatively as well.
As San-A and Max Value are fairly competitive, and you choose to stop by San-A instead, don't forget to take a look at the many souvenirs that you can purchase and either take back with you or send home!
If you're not a tourist but live here, I'd also recommend grabbing a huge block of tuna for a quick and healthy dinner: maguro-don.
If you’re up for it, you can easily make it by just chopping it up in tiny pieces then put them on a bed of rice. After pouring some soy sauce mixed with a little bit of wasabi, enjoy the meal. You will just love it!
However, If there's a San-A and Max Value nearby, I would opt shopping at San-A for groceries and Max Value for snacks.
Kanehide
I rarely visit the store myself, but when I plan on getting a lot of canned drinks I do make sure to go there. They're so cheap that I want to get more than how many I originally planned to get.
They also have a wide selection of Okinawan awamori (liquor) to try too. I would prefer to mix it in a glass with ice having 3 parts awamori to 7 parts water. Though, you can drink on the rocks or even substitute water for juices or even coffee.
Union
Union is a local store that is open 24/7. They carry groceries, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and snack foods.
Although their general pricing is very reasonable, when you shop for fruits there you should check the quality.
Union often offers huge discounts depending on the day, and we never miss getting some meat for our pup, @Marron, every Sunday.
What we like about Union the most is, in their snack food section they have local's favorite traditional snacks. It depends on the chain but mochi, Okinawan doughnuts, Okinawan pound cake and more can be found.
Supermarkets do look the same in what they sell, however, it is very interesting if you take a deeper look at price, quality, and quantity.
Well, I hope this one helps you shop during your stay in Okinawa anyway and happy shopping!
Although there are numerous buildings and all the signs look the same, if you already know what local stores look like and what they sell, you won't have to waste your time trying to find one.
So, here are five major supermarkets which you will most likely encounter anywhere on the island.
Max Value
Max Value (MaxValu) is one of the supermarkets operated by AEON and easily noticeable with a big red sign.
Their pricing is neither cheap nor expensive. They always have a big variety of snack foods, from fried chicken and fried Okinawan doughnuts to lunch boxes and sushi.
When it comes to sushi, I prefer Max Value for its wider selection of sushi. Not to mention, sushi sold in supermarkets here is safe and delicious so you don't have to worry about getting sick.
While making a stop at Max Value, you can also make your kids who might have gone grumpy from the long drive pleased with this fabulous section, a bewildering array of small snacks!
As you can see in the picture, each one can be purchased for a small price so the kids will be thrilled to pick whatever they want. Usually, there are small baskets installed nearby for kids to use, making it even fun for them to shop.
It might seem like nothing, but I remember my childhood being overjoyed about picking out favorites from a numerous selection of snacks, and as a matter of fact, I still love it!
Max Value also has a wide array of alcohol to choose from!
Additionally, if you're low on yen, their ATM accepts most international debit cards.
Big Express
Big is also a chain supermarket of AEON, carrying good quality products that are generally cheaper.
If you come across one of the Big chain stores, I'd recommend stopping by. We love to visit one by our house for ice cream as this saves us around 50 yen each compared to most other stores.
As Big Express is also apart of AEON, look out for the pink ATM if you need cash too.
San-A
San-A is the major local supermarket whose pricing is almost the same as Max Value. I'd venture to say that their levels of product quality are on the same level comparatively as well.
As San-A and Max Value are fairly competitive, and you choose to stop by San-A instead, don't forget to take a look at the many souvenirs that you can purchase and either take back with you or send home!
If you're not a tourist but live here, I'd also recommend grabbing a huge block of tuna for a quick and healthy dinner: maguro-don.
If you’re up for it, you can easily make it by just chopping it up in tiny pieces then put them on a bed of rice. After pouring some soy sauce mixed with a little bit of wasabi, enjoy the meal. You will just love it!
However, If there's a San-A and Max Value nearby, I would opt shopping at San-A for groceries and Max Value for snacks.
Kanehide
I rarely visit the store myself, but when I plan on getting a lot of canned drinks I do make sure to go there. They're so cheap that I want to get more than how many I originally planned to get.
They also have a wide selection of Okinawan awamori (liquor) to try too. I would prefer to mix it in a glass with ice having 3 parts awamori to 7 parts water. Though, you can drink on the rocks or even substitute water for juices or even coffee.
Union
Union is a local store that is open 24/7. They carry groceries, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and snack foods.
Although their general pricing is very reasonable, when you shop for fruits there you should check the quality.
Union often offers huge discounts depending on the day, and we never miss getting some meat for our pup, @Marron, every Sunday.
What we like about Union the most is, in their snack food section they have local's favorite traditional snacks. It depends on the chain but mochi, Okinawan doughnuts, Okinawan pound cake and more can be found.
Supermarkets do look the same in what they sell, however, it is very interesting if you take a deeper look at price, quality, and quantity.
Well, I hope this one helps you shop during your stay in Okinawa anyway and happy shopping!
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