Supermarkets in Okinawa: Features and Comparison

In this article, we will provide an overview and insights into the supermarkets in Okinawa, a beautiful southern island of Japan. Okinawa is renowned for its abundant nature and unique culture, and it is home to a variety of supermarkets that cater to the needs of local residents. Each supermarket brand offers regionally tailored products and services, showcasing their distinctive characteristics.

The purpose of this article is to introduce and highlight the key features of popular supermarket brands in Okinawa, including Don Quijote, San-A, Kanehide, Town Plaza Kanehide, Ryubo Store, Union, and AEON. We will explore the number of stores, main product categories, and unique services provided by each brand. Through this exploration, we aim to deepen readers’ understanding of the diversity and appeal of supermarkets in Okinawa.

By delving into the individual characteristics and services of each brand, we hope to showcase the vibrant supermarket scene in Okinawa and its strong connection with the local community. Without further ado, let us delve into the enchanting world of each brand and discover what makes them truly unique in the Okinawan supermarket landscape.

2023.05.10

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Don Quijote

Don Quijote

Don Quijote is a discount store chain with outlets spread all across Japan. The stores are characterized by their cluttered, packed style, hence often referred to as ‘jungle-style’ stores. The range of products offered is incredibly broad, covering everything from food to clothing, household appliances, cosmetics, and toys. Basically, almost every daily necessity can be found under one roof.

In Okinawa Prefecture, our stores are located in Naha City, Ginowan City, Uruma City, and other areas. Particularly, our store on Kokusai Dori in Naha City, known as a popular tourist destination, operates until 3 a.m. and remains vibrant even late at night.

Characterizing features of Don Quijote include its vast product lineup and low prices. Additionally, for non-residents, some stores offer tax-exemption procedures for purchases of goods totaling more than 10,000 yen (including tax).

San-A

San-A

San-A is a local supermarket chain based mainly in Okinawa Prefecture, and it operates two major formats: shopping centers and food palaces.

San-A’s shopping centers offer a wide range of products from food to clothing, daily necessities, and home appliances. With a variety of stores housed in one large facility, they cater to various shopping needs at once. On the other hand, San-A’s food palaces offer a wide range of fresh ingredients, processed foods, and ready-made dishes, catering to shopping needs focused on daily food procurement.

San-A operates over 80 stores throughout Okinawa Prefecture, most of which are in the form of shopping centers and food palaces. As for other services, they offer online shopping and delivery of local products.

Town Plaza Kanehide

Town Plaza Kanehide is a supermarket chain based in Okinawa Prefecture. Since its establishment in 1984, it has been committed to providing various products in support of local life in Okinawa. Town Plaza Kanehide stores offer a wide range of products, from fresh food to daily necessities and household items.

There are more than 50 Town Plaza Kanehide stores throughout Okinawa, providing services in various regions regardless of municipalities.

One of the distinguishing features of Town Plaza Kanehide is its abundant sale of local products. They handle not only fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood from Okinawa but also sweets and alcohol produced locally. In addition, some stores offer ready-made meals and bento boxes using local ingredients, allowing customers to enjoy the local taste easily.

Ryubo Store

Ryubo Store

Ryubo Store is a supermarket chain based in Okinawa Prefecture, with roots dating back to 1948. The chain has consistently adhered to a “customer-first” policy, providing high-quality products and services.

Ryubo Department store and Ryubo Store are both store formats operated in Okinawa Prefecture, but here are the differences between them.

Ryubo Department store follows the traditional department store format, offering a wide range of products and high-quality merchandise. Typically, it handles various categories of products such as fashion, household goods, cosmetics, food, and electronics. Moreover, Ryubo Department store holds special sales, events, and exhibitions to provide customers with unique shopping experiences.

On the other hand, Ryubo Store is a smaller and more compact supermarket format. It primarily focuses on food and daily necessities, providing local fresh ingredients and essential items. Riubō Store emphasizes convenience for the local customers and functions as a familiar presence in the neighborhood.

There are about 10 Ryubo Store locations in Okinawa Prefecture, most of which support the daily lives of local residents.

FRESH PLAZA UNION

FRESH PLAZA UNION

FRESH PLAZA UNION is a supermarket chain primarily located in Okinawa Prefecture, which began in 1984. It offers a wide variety of products, with a focus on local Okinawan ingredients.

One of Union’s distinctive features is its supply of fresh local ingredients. It stocks a wide range of local ingredients from Okinawa, including fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, and its freshness and quality are highly regarded. In addition, it also provides local specialties and souvenirs from Okinawa, making it a popular choice for tourists.

Union has approximately 30 stores throughout Okinawa Prefecture, supporting the lives of local people.

AEON

AEON

AEON is a major retail group with numerous stores throughout Japan, established in 1926. It also has many stores in Okinawa Prefecture, including various types of outlets such as AEON Malls, AEON Styles, and MaxValu.

One of AEON’s characteristics is its wide range of product categories and diverse services. It offers a broad spectrum of products, including food, clothing, household items, electrical appliances, cosmetics, health care products, books, and toys. In addition, some outlets have entertainment facilities like food courts, restaurants, movie theaters, and game centers.

Another feature of AEON is its convenient membership system. By using the AEON Card, customers can accumulate points according to the amount of their purchases, which can be used when making purchases.

To meet various needs, AEON has numerous stores in various locations throughout Okinawa Prefecture. In Okinawa, there are various types of AEON outlets, including large stores like AEON Malls.