【Staff Picks】A Coffee Tour of Naha — 3 One-of-a-Kind Cafés That Warm the Soul
While exploring Naha, why not take a break from sightseeing and duck into a local coffee shop — whether it’s after a leisurely breakfast or in the middle of a long walk through the city?
Each place holds something special waiting to be discovered: a new flavor you never knew you’d love, or a warm conversation with the owner or a local. From a dedicated roastery tucked inside a market steeped in post-war history, to a lush garden where you can slow down and breathe, to a coffee shop designed to awaken all your senses — and then some. A carefully brewed cup of coffee has a way of making your travels richer and more memorable.
Here are three cafés that we, the staff at ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA, visited ourselves and genuinely fell in love with — places where the space, the story, and the coffee all left a lasting impression.

【Table of Contents】
COFFEE potohoto (Sakae-machi Market)
~ Where the history of a post-war market meets the stories of farms across the sea ~
Shop Info
Once a Week Coffee Garden (Ameku)
~ A quiet exhale in a space that still carries the spirit of an old American house ~
Shop Info
rokkan COFFEE SHURI (Shuri)
~ Open from 6 a.m. — taste your coffee with your “sixth sense” at Shuri’s new gathering place ~
Shop Info
Closing Thoughts
1. COFFEE potohoto
~ Where the history of a post-war market meets the stories of farms across the sea ~

COFFEE potohoto celebrated its 19th anniversary in December 2025. The café sits inside Sakae-machi Market — a place with deep historical roots tied to the post-war recovery of Naha, and a neighborhood with connections to the Himeyuri Student Corps. For us at ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA, it holds a very special place too: this is where the beans for our original hotel blend have been roasted since the day we opened.
Step into the winding lanes of the market and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time — there’s a nostalgic, Showa-era atmosphere that’s hard to put into words. First-time visitors might find themselves a little turned around, but if that happens, look out for the hand-drawn “Market Map” made by local elementary school kids. It’s an utterly charming guide that captures everything that makes Sakae-machi special, and it’s full of the warmth you can feel from this community.

Starting in 2025, an updated printed version of the map is available at the market association office inside the market.
Owner Yamada-san personally travels to coffee farms across Asia — including Taiwan and Thailand — to source the beans directly. If you’re lucky, you might hear firsthand stories about how the coffee is grown or what life is like on the farm. Knowing the history of this place and the journey behind each cup makes every sip feel that much more meaningful.

【Staff Recommendation】
We tried coffees sourced from Taiwan and Chiang Mai, Thailand — all beans from farms that Yamada-san and the COFFEE potohoto team have visited in person. Most people picture South America when they think of coffee origins, but getting to taste rare Asian varietals is one of the things that makes Okinawa’s café scene truly unique.
Head up to the hidden second-floor space to enjoy your cup in peace — it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to linger in. And before you leave, consider picking up some of your favorite beans to take home as a souvenir from your trip.



<Shop Info>
COFFEE potohoto
Address: Inside Sakae-machi Market, 388-1 Asato, Naha City
Hours: 10:00–18:00 (extended hours on Fridays)
Closed: Sundays + irregular holidays
Access: Take the monorail from Miebashi Station (5-minute walk from the hotel) to Asato Station, then walk approx. 2 minutes. (Total travel time: approx. 20 minutes)
Instagram
2. Once a week coffee Garden
~ A quiet exhale in a space that still carries the spirit of an old American house ~

Tucked away in Ameku, Naha — a neighborhood that feels a world apart from the city’s bustle — Once a Week Coffee Garden opened in April 2025. The building is a renovated former American-style house (known locally as gaijin jutaku), and its stone walls give it a quiet, grounded presence that immediately draws you in.
Inside, you’ll find table seating, a bar counter with distant ocean views, and a spacious terrace where a gentle breeze flows through — each spot offering its own kind of escape, depending on your mood.


【Staff Recommendation】
We ordered the carefully crafted house-roasted coffee alongside their signature menu item: the homemade original cinnamon roll. Made with fragrant Ryukyu cinnamon (karaki) grown right here in Okinawa, it’s a crowd favorite that keeps people coming back for more.
Beyond sweets, the menu also covers a solid morning plate, lunchtime pizza, and curry — so there’s something to enjoy at just about any hour of the day.


Come evening, the space transforms into a speakeasy-style hidden bar called “The side door,” evoking the atmosphere of America’s Prohibition era. Stop by and let yourself unwind — there’s nothing quite like feeling the Okinawan breeze and just letting the day melt away.

<Shop Info>
Once a Week Coffee Garden
Address: 1003 Ameku, Naha City, Okinawa
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Last order 16:30)
Closed: Mondays
Access: Take the bus from the “La Gent Hotel Mae” stop near the hotel → get off at the “Ameku” stop, then walk approx. 7 minutes. (Total travel time: approx. 15–20 minutes)
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3. rokkan COFFEE SHURI
~ Open from 6 a.m. — taste your coffee with your “sixth sense” at Shuri’s new gathering place ~
rokkan COFFEE SHURI is the second location of a beloved café from Hikawa, Naha, and it opened just steps from Shuri Castle. The name “rokkan” reflects the team’s wish for guests to enjoy their coffee beyond the five senses — all the way to a kind of sixth sense, or rokkan in Japanese.
The interior weaves in traditional Okinawan elements throughout: a counter made of Ryukyuan limestone, an espresso machine adorned with a dragon motif, and other thoughtful design touches that pay tribute to the island’s heritage. Without any tables — just wide counters and roomy benches — the space has an easy, welcoming rhythm to it, and plenty of local regulars make it feel like a true neighborhood hangout.




【Staff Recommendation】
From a rotating selection of five to seven bean varieties, we went with the Ryukyu Blend. We also couldn’t resist trying the standout menu item: the Foam Black. It uses the same base as an Americano, but the delicate foam gives it a surprisingly creamy texture. If you’re someone who finds black coffee a little too bitter, this is absolutely worth a try.


Since it opens at 6 a.m., it’s a perfect stop for an early morning stroll. The café also stocks yachimun (Okinawan pottery) and Ryukyu glass, making it a great place to find a meaningful souvenir for any coffee lover in your life.

<Shop Info>
rokkan COFFEE SHURI
Address: 1F Yamagou Building, 2-14 Shuri Tōguramachi, Naha City
Hours: 6:00–18:00
Closed: None
Access: Take the monorail from Miebashi Station to Shuri Station, then walk approx. 10–15 minutes toward Shuri Castle Park. (Total travel time: approx. 30 minutes)
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Closing Thoughts
So, what do you think of our staff-curated café picks? Naha is full of wonderful encounters just waiting to happen — and sometimes all it takes is a single great cup of coffee to start one. Use ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA as your home base and set out to find your own favorite corner of this city.

ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA is a lifestyle hotel inspired by Ryukyu modern design — the perfect blend of city convenience and resort atmosphere, with easy access from Naha Airport. We also offer tour-style workation programs for those who want to mix work and travel.
<About the Hotel>
Hotel Name: ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA
Address: 2-3-11 Matsuyama, Naha City, Okinawa 900-0032
Access: 10 minutes by car from Naha Airport along Route 58 / 5-minute walk from Yui Rail “Miebashi” Station / 6-minute walk from Tomari Port Terminal
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