This is what Ishigaki Island is all about! Special local products and souvenirs to enjoy in Ishigaki Island
Table of Contents
Ishigaki Island is a tropical resort.
When you are there, you want to enjoy activities at the beach or in the jungle, eat delicious local food, and buy souvenirs to take home...! It's a great way to enjoy activities at the beach, in the jungle, etc.
We introduce Ishigaki Island's specialties and souvenirs, from the standard items to those that are surprisingly unknown!
Specialty Products of Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki beef
The first specialty of Ishigaki Island that you must try is Ishigaki beef!
In fact, Ishigaki beef is the origin of the national brand of beef (delicious Japanese beef named after a place).
On Ishigaki Island, black cattle have been raised for a long time, and calves born here are shipped to brand-name beef-producing areas throughout Japan.
In other words, it is no exaggeration to say that we are the creators of the national brand of beef!
Ishigaki beef is the translation of calves born in Ishigaki, which are highly evaluated by each brand beef production area and are in great demand in the market, and raised in Ishigaki as it is.
Since it is such Ishigaki beef, it goes without saying that the taste is excellent!
When I think of Kuroge Wagyu beef, I have an image of marbled meat with a sashi,Ishigaki beef is very tasty, not only the marbling but also the lean meat has a strong flavor.
The fat is also sweet but light, so you can eat a lot without feeling bloated!
It is said that the reason for this is because they are blown by the sea breeze and grow on mineral-rich grass.
It is still rare and hard to find in Japan, so if you come to Ishigaki, please try it!
However, Ishigaki beef is a brand name beef, so it is a bit pricey...lol.
If you want to enjoy Ishigaki beef at a reasonable price! Then our recommendation is lunch!
At Kitachi Ranch, you can enjoy Ishigaki beef barbeque set meals for only 1,000 yen for lunch!
The store is located near the Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal, so it is easily accessible from downtown Ishigakijima!
Let's heal your tired body from the tour!
Please try it when you come to Ishigaki!
- northern part of a ranch
- Phone 050-5869-5528
- Address: 2-3-24 Hamazaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
- Business hours: 11:30-22:30
- Closed on Wednesdays
salt (i.e. sodium chloride)
The Yaeyama Islands have beautiful seas, and the rock salt that can be obtained there is also famous.
In Okinawa, salt is called "masu" in the dialect, and you will see it everywhere on Ishigaki Island.
Salt contains many elements necessary for human beings.
The sea of Yaeyama, including Ishigaki Island, is rich in minerals compared to ordinary seas due to the abundance of coral reefs, and thus produces high quality salt filled with various nutrients, making it a specialty product.
The best place in Ishigaki Island is a salt specialty store called Ishigaki no Shio (Ishigaki Salt).
It is located by the sea, northward from Ishigakijima Island Terminal.
As the name suggests, the store specializes in salt from Ishigaki Island, especially salt from the rich seawater of Nagura Bay.
You can also see the process of salt production inside the store, so you might want to take a drive and stop by...â
- salt from the Ishigaki region
- Phone: 0980-83-8711
- Address 1145-57 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
- Business hours: 9:00-18:00
pineapple (Ananas comosus)
When you think of tropical fruits, the first thing that comes to mind is pineapple!
Ishigaki Island lives up to this image, with its vast pineapple fields.
Tourists who have eaten authentic Ishigaki Island pineapple are surprised to hear, "I've never had such a sweet and delicious pineapple! and surprised!
Some pineapples produced on Ishigaki Island are also shipped to the mainland, but because it takes time to send them, they are harvested before they are ripe.
On the other hand, the pineapples sold on Ishigaki Island are all picked when fully ripe and ready to eat, so they are very sweet.
Small ones are sold for 100 to 200 yen per piece at unattended stands and supermarkets, so it is recommended to buy them and eat them at your accommodation or bring them back as souvenirs!
It tastes even better when eaten when the body is not fully hydrated, especially after snorkeling or diving.
For more information about snorkeling tours in Ishigaki Island and a list of plans, click here↓.
For details and a list of diving tours available in Ishigaki Island, click here↓.
Recommended Souvenirs
raayu
A few years ago, "eating raayu" caused a boom throughout Japan.
Did you know that its origin is said to have started from a single store on Ishigaki Island?
That restaurant is "Hengin Shokudo" on Ishigaki Island!
It is said that this is where the "eating raayu" spread and led to that boom throughout Japan.
Rāyū made from island chili peppers served at Henigin Shokudo.
This goes perfectly with Chinese food!
This restaurant is limited to two groups per day at night, and reservations are required!
Moreover, the restaurant is very particular about its cuisine, offering only omakase courses.
Even if you can't get a reservation for dinner, only raayu is available for sale.
Related Rankings:Chinese food | Ishigaki City
Ishigaki Island Pudding
Surprisingly famous on Ishigaki Island is island pudding.
What is the difference between regular pudding and island pudding?
The difference is quality milk.
Island pudding is made from milk grown on Ishigaki Island and surrounding tropical countries. Thanks to Ishigaki Island's mild climate, the cows grow up stress-free, resulting in very high-quality, rich milk!
Moreover, since it takes time to transport the milk and it loses its freshness, the best use of this milk is limited to the Yaeyama Islands.
This is the secret of island pudding!
The secret to the delicious taste is that Ishigaki and the other Yaeyama Islands produce a large amount of sugarcane, which allows us to use the best quality sugar available, and we use Ishigaki Island salt to tighten the aftertaste so that it is not too sweet.
Please try the island pudding, which is rich but has a pleasant aftertaste and can be enjoyed even by those who are not fond of sweets!
Related Rankings:Sweets (Other) | Ishigaki City
Oki Yumeshi Roll Mont Blanc Cake
This sweet is made from a red sweet potato called okimu-murasaki.
It's not "roll cake" but "rolls mont blanc."
The purple cream made from purple sweet potatoes covers the entire cake, creating a great impact!
The cream rolled in moist cocoa dough is a perfect match with the gentle sweetness of the purple sweet potato.
It is light on the palate and a gem with a luxurious feel.
The Oki Yumeshi Roll Mont Blanc Cake, which is outstanding in both taste and appearance, makes a perfect souvenir!
Please note that purchases can only be made at Ishigakijima Airport and the directly managed store in the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort.
- Ishigaki Tokusenkan Nanzakaze
- Address: 354-1 Maesato, Ishigaki City, Okinawa (2F in ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort)
- Business hours 7:30-22:00
Let's make a souvenir together with the handmade experience!
Handmade experiences using locally harvested coral, shells, and beautiful stones are also popular now in Ishigaki Island.
A coral lamp made from coral, a photo frame made from seashells, or an accessory made from beautiful stones you picked up yourself will be a memory that will last a lifetime.
Why not enjoy the handmade experience as a souvenir for your friends or yourself?
summary
How was it?
There are many other souvenir shops in Ishigaki Island, so please find your favorite one.
All the fun in Ishigaki Island is here↓.
Ishigaki Island Tours
