[Naha Cafe Stroll] Lunch Edition | Where to eat if you miss lunch time?

On my training trips to and from Naha, one of the things I look forward to is booking a flight that arrives around noon, so I can head straight to the city center to explore cafes and lunch spots.

...But!

In reality, flights during popular times in the high season are incredibly expensive! 😳
Even if you book early, the price for a regular seat can sometimes be as high as a Premium Class ticket.

Even for dates two and a half months away in autumn, the fares vary significantly depending on the time of day.

This is Premium Class.

For me, currently doing 30 round trips a year, it's realistic to choose times that are as wallet-friendly as possible.
So lately, I've been choosing flights that arrive in the evening or at night, not just early morning ones.

By the way, about half of the cost for my 30 round trips is covered by miles and Sky Coins. ✈️
It might look like a luxurious hobby, but I'm actually quite resourceful about it. (^^)

That's why I arrived in Naha late in the afternoon this time.

There was no time to head to the city center to enjoy cafes or lunch... But even at times like that, there's a place where you can easily enjoy the taste of Okinawa.
It's a familiar spot for training monks—



Airport Shokudo!

Originally a local diner known only to those in the know, often used by airport staff and aviation personnel.
Now it's very popular with tourists, and its local atmosphere, which you wouldn't expect inside an airport, is its charm. ✨

Recently, there are often lines, but the turnover is fast, so the wait time isn't really a concern.

This time, I chose the "Carrot Shirishiri Set Meal." 🥕

Actually, I don't usually cook dishes that use a large amount of carrots, so when I come to Airport Shokudo, I end up choosing the carrot shirishiri.
I'm soothed by its sweet and gentle flavor.

There are many other menu items that make you want to come back, such as:
・Something you rarely see in Tokyo,"Mozuku Gyoza Set Meal"

・The "Taco Rice Set Meal," which is a delightful half-and-half of taco rice and soki soba."Taco Rice Set Meal"

And many others.

As an option for when you think, "I want to eat lunch in the city..."

To enjoy lunch in the city center, you'd want to arrive at a restaurant by around 1:00 PM.
That limits you to departing on early morning flights.

During the season or on weekends, it's sometimes hard to get those time slots, or I have to give up due to the price.
In those cases, I enjoy my trips without straining my time or money by:

・Having a proper meal at Airport Shokudo
・Getting takeout and buying whatever else I need

What's the difference between a cafe and a shokudo (diner)?

By the way, I was curious and looked up, "Is Airport Shokudo a 'cafe'?" and...

✔ A cafe often refers to a place where "coffee culture has taken root"
✔ The purpose and atmosphere of a shokudo are a bit different

So, Airport Shokudo is definitely a "shokudo"!

A savior when you're about to become a lunch refugee

It's not a cafe, but "Airport Shokudo" is reasonable, delicious, and easy to drop by.
It's a reliable ally when you've missed lunch time or want to have a relaxing meal right after arriving.
Even on training trips where you're often tied to a schedule, this place really lets you feel the Okinawan vibe, so please be sure to stop by!

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