About a 20-minute drive from Naha Airport. This charming cafe is a renovated old house in Yaese Town, Shimajiri District. It’s a rare shop offering both Okinawa’s traditional royal court sweets and local sweets enjoyed by commoners. You can also enjoy rare teas here.
Point 1: Where is ‘koti’ located?
In southern Okinawa Island, where nature and tradition thrive, lies Yaese Town. Nestled within it is “koti (East Wind),” a charming cafe renovated from an old folk house. The building, retaining the warmth of its tile roof and wooden structure, feels as if time has been turned back, quietly welcoming visitors with gentle hospitality.
In the spacious garden, tropical plants grow lush and undisturbed. Simply gazing at the swaying greenery from the veranda feels like unwinding your spirit.
The name “koti” (east wind) signifies the gentle breeze heralding spring, and true to its name, a serene flow of time permeates the interior.
Furthermore, the BGM is played through chimney-shaped speakers by Okinawan audio manufacturer “Chimei Audio,” enveloping the space in soothing music. Before savoring the delicious sweets and tea, taking in this atmosphere and ambiance itself is perhaps a special way to enjoy this cafe.
The shop also pays special attention to its tableware. Sweets and tea are served using Okinawan yachimun pottery, allowing you to feel the charm of Okinawan craftsmanship from the moment you pick them up. Drinks are served in beautiful Ryukyu glass.
Beyond just eating and drinking, experiencing the culture through the entire space is a major appeal of “koti (East Wind)”.
It’s about a 20-minute drive from Naha Airport.
By bus, take the Naha Bus No. 117 or similar to the “Kokuba” stop, then transfer to the Ryukyu Bus No. 50 and get off at “Higashi-futae Junior High School Front”. It’s a 2-minute walk from there.
Point 2: Introducing Sweets from ‘koti’
Hanabōru
The charm of “koti (East Wind)” lies in its ability to let you savor Okinawan traditional sweets all at once. Here, you can enjoy both the splendid “court sweets” served in the palaces of royalty and nobility and the simple “folk sweets” cherished by commoners in their daily lives.
Among the court sweets, the “Hanabōru” is particularly eye-catching. A beautifully crafted confection, adorned with vivid colors and delicate decorations, it resembles a tiny blossom in full bloom. Beneath its sweetness lies meticulous craftsmanship, making it an artistic piece you’ll want to admire for a moment before eating.
On the other hand, beloved as commoners’ snacks are simple folk sweets like the steamed confection “Agara-sa,” the thinly rolled pastry “Chinbin,” and “Po-po.”
While these might be made at home, few cafes serve them, making this a unique experience at “koti (East Wind)”.
Freshly steamed agarasa has a fluffy texture, filling your mouth with the natural sweetness of brown sugar. Chinbin and po-po offer a toasty aroma and chewy texture, evoking a nostalgic flavor.
Additionally, the shop occasionally hosts workshops for making sweets and Okinawan cuisine. Participants get hands-on experience learning traditional flavors and enjoy the freshly made results right there. For tourists, it creates lasting travel memories; for locals, it extends their daily life and serves as a new place for community interaction.
Point 3: Introducing the Drink Menu at ‘koti’
The drink menu to accompany sweets also features a lineup that truly captures the essence of Okinawa. First recommended are Okinawan green tea and black tea. Grown in the warm climate, the tea leaves are rich in flavor with a refreshing aftertaste.
Sanpincha (jasmine tea) is also a staple, its vibrant aroma filling your mouth and pairing perfectly with sweet treats. It’s especially popular with ice cream, where the aroma that wafts up your nose is irresistible.
Additionally, the coasters made from “Roton-ori,” a local weaving from Haebaru, are beautiful.
Furthermore, “Okinawan Zenzai” served with purple dumplings is another popular item. Okinawan zenzai features shaved ice topped with sweet adzuki beans, making it a refreshingly cool sweet treat especially welcome on hot days. Enjoying it alongside sweets allows you to truly appreciate the depth of Okinawa’s unique food culture.
Every drink is served in Yachimun pottery, offering visual delight as well. Each time you pick up the cup, you feel the warmth of the clay and the strength of the craftsmanship, making the moment of drinking even more special.
Enjoying the pairing of sweets and tea while slowly losing track of time is a luxury unique to this cafe.
“koti (East Wind)” is more than just a place to enjoy sweets and tea; it’s a special old-style house cafe where you can experience Okinawa’s traditional culture, crafts, music, and nature all at once.
Court sweets and folk sweets are served in Yachimun pottery while gazing at the garden. And carefully crafted drinks. Each element creates a relaxed atmosphere, offering an experience you can only find here.
