Summer vacation and the Obon holidays are especially busy times at Naha Airport, with travelers from Japan and abroad passing through in large numbers. If you want to enjoy your Okinawa trip right up to the very end, choosing the right cafe or light-meal spot at Naha Airport is an important part of making the most of your trip.

Which cafes you can use at Naha Airport depends on whether you’ve just arrived, and whether you’re before or after the security checkpoint.

To cut to the chase: if you want to unwind one last time before ending your Okinawa trip, “Potama Naha Airport Domestic Arrival Lobby Shop” in the arrival lobby (1F) is convenient. If you’d rather relax after passing through security, the Starbucks inside the gate area is one of the few options available. Since many travelers want to cool off from the summer heat, we’ll also cover ice cream shops later in this article.

*This article’s information is current as of August 2026. Business hours and prices are subject to change, so please check each shop’s or the airport’s official website for the latest information.

Photo source: Naha Airport Official Website

Naha Airport Cafe Basics: Floors and Before/After Security

Naha Airport’s domestic and international terminals both span floors 1F to 4F. Looking at the tenant layout, the area on 2F specifically labeled “Departure Lobby (Inside the Gate)” is after security, while 1F, 3F, 4F, and the outer perimeter of 2F (around the DFS reception counter) are before security.

Floor	Security	Typical Shops
1F	Before (including arrival lobby)	Potama Naha Airport Domestic Arrival Lobby Shop
2F outer perimeter	Before	Fukugiya, Kasho Jukuan, Ryukyu Mura, Royal Bakery Shop
2F Departure Lobby (Inside the Gate)	After	Starbucks, Snack Court by Fugetsu, Snack Corner Fugetsu
3F	Before (with observation deck)	Tully’s Coffee Naha Airport
4F	Before (restaurant row)	Sandwich House Gourmet Naha Airport

The key at Naha Airport is to first consider whether you’ve already arrived or are about to board, and then keep in mind which part of 2F you’re in when choosing a shop.

Recommended Cafes for After Arrival or While Waiting to Pick Someone Up

The first spot to know for after arrival at Naha Airport is “Potama Naha Airport Domestic Arrival Lobby Shop” (1F). Since 1F is a pre-security area, you can stop by right after you land.

It’s open from 7:00 to 21:00, year-round, and accepts cash, card, and QR code payments. Reviews mention “you should buy Potama at the airport at the end of your Okinawa trip,” and it’s a popular spot for wrapping up a trip to Okinawa. There have been reports of waits of around 15 people and roughly 15 minutes to purchase at 12:00 on a Saturday, so it’s a good idea to allow extra time.

If you’d like to relax a bit longer after arrival, or want a light meal, “Soba-dokoro Ryufu” (an Okinawa soba specialty shop), also on 1F, is another option. Since 1F is close to the arrival gate and exits, its strength is that you can use it without worrying about security.

Cafes Before Security

Shops in the pre-security area are spread across 1F, the outer perimeter of 2F, 3F, and 4F.

• Tully’s Coffee Naha Airport (3F): Highly rated with a review score of 4.28. 3F is the floor with the observation deck, and it’s accessible before security. Many travelers buy coffee to take on their flight, and the shop accepts code payments such as PayPay.
• Sandwich House Gourmet Naha Airport (4F): 4F is the restaurant row, also a pre-security area. Run by Gourmet Kineya, this sandwich specialty restaurant offers Okinawa-style menu items like mango parfait and goya champuru-style sandwiches. It accepts code payments such as PayPay.
• Fukugiya Naha Airport (2F outer perimeter): A baumkuchen specialty shop. Since it’s in the pre-security area, you can buy some, pass through security, and enjoy it on the plane.
• 35COFFEE Naha Airport Station: Not inside the airport itself, but known for its “coral-roasted coffee,” an Okinawa-exclusive specialty that’s also popular as a souvenir.

Cafes After Security

After passing through security, shops are concentrated in the 2F “Departure Lobby (Inside the Gate)” area.

Starbucks Coffee Naha Airport Domestic Gate Shop is explicitly described in reviews as being “located right after you pass through the security checkpoint,” making it one of the few cafe chains available after security. It offers touches to keep you entertained while you wait, like Okinawa-exclusive mugs and explanations of seasonal events. Light meals are also available, such as ham and Maribo cheese (¥437) and red bean butter sandwiches (¥291), with eat-in seating provided. It accepts code payments such as PayPay.

In the same “Departure Lobby (Inside the Gate)” area, you’ll also find Snack Court by Fugetsu (popular for its Okinawa soba topped with pork belly) and Snack Corner Fugetsu (with a good selection of Okinawa soba and bento boxes), both convenient for a meal before boarding.

Recommendations by Purpose

For Those Who Want Takeout Sweets or Souvenirs

• Fukugiya Naha Airport (2F outer perimeter, before security): A baumkuchen specialty shop. One review describes buying a “Gajumaru” baumkuchen here before security, carrying it onto the plane, and enjoying it with the in-flight coffee service — a classic way to use this shop, buying before security and enjoying it on the plane.
• Kasho Jukuan (2F outer perimeter, before security): Sells “kunpen,” a traditional Okinawan confection, as an airport-exclusive original product.
• Ryukyu Mura Naha Airport (before security): A shop specializing in handmade saataa andagii. Its Okinawa soba is also popular, and reviews praise its ticket-based ordering system for quick turnover.
• Royal Bakery Shop Naha Airport (2F outer perimeter, before security): A popular bakery at Naha Airport known for its freshly baked bread.
• Puzo Cheesecake Cellar Naha Airport: Known for its pudding and cheesecake, with reviews saying “you’ll want to buy this before boarding your flight.”
• Jimmy’s Airport Shop: A long-established cake shop famous for its apple pie, which has also been featured on TV.

For Travelers Wanting to Cool Off from the Summer Heat

During summer, travelers at Naha Airport often want to cool off before or after their flight. Blue Seal Jalux Departure Shop lets you enjoy “Blue Seal,” an ice cream brand born in Okinawa, before departure. Reviews describe it as “Naha food to enjoy before boarding,” and many travelers stop by for one last treat at the end of their trip.

For Families Traveling Together

Reviews describe Potama as recommended for “family, friends, and colleagues,” making it an easy choice to wrap up a family trip. Since waits can occur during busy periods, families with small children in particular should allow extra time.

Scenic Cafes Near the Airport (Bonus)

Although not inside the terminal, there are also cafes near Naha Airport with views of the airport. Bela Sala is located on the 6th floor, offering a Western-style cafe menu with a view over Naha Airport. It’s worth keeping in mind as an option before heading to the airport or if you have time before your flight.

For Inbound Travelers Visiting Japan

Summer is a busy season for travelers from both Japan and abroad, and inbound visitors make up a large share of airport users. Naha Airport is used not only by sightseers but also by many travelers coming from overseas to play golf. If you’re carrying large items like golf bags, shops with more spacious eat-in areas (such as Sandwich House Gourmet and Tully’s Coffee) or shops offering takeout are easier to navigate.

Many of the major cafes at Naha Airport (Starbucks, Doutor, Tully’s, Potama, Sandwich House Gourmet, and others) accept code payments such as PayPay. Potama is confirmed to accept cash, card, and QR code payments, making it an easy environment even for cashless-minded inbound travelers.

On the other hand, the sources checked for this article did not clearly indicate whether multilingual menus or vegetarian/halal options are available. If you have specific dietary restrictions, we recommend checking directly with the shop.

What to Know About Summer Crowds

Naha Airport gets especially crowded during summer vacation and the Obon and Kyu-Bon holiday periods. Reviews of Potama mention waits of around 15 people and roughly 15 minutes to purchase as of 12:00 on a Saturday, so if you plan to visit a popular shop, it’s a good idea to work backward from your flight time and allow plenty of margin.

NearMe Is Also a Great Choice for Getting To and From Naha Airport!

When heading to Naha Airport, be sure to consider NearMe, which takes you directly from anywhere you like without any transfers.

Overview

NearMe is a flat-rate transfer service that picks you up directly from your home, hotel, or anywhere else and takes you straight to the airport. It has served over 1.45 million bookings, with a rider satisfaction score of 4.6 out of 5.0 (based on results from October 2019 to May 2025). Naha Airport is included in its service area.

• Shared ride: from ¥980 per person
• Private ride (flat-rate hired car): from ¥5,480 per vehicle

With a “shared ride,” where you ride alongside other passengers, you can save up to 80% compared to a regular taxi.

How to Use It and Pricing

Between Kokusai-dori and Naha Airport, you can expect the following pricing and travel times:

Mode of Transport	Approx. Price	Travel Time	Notes
NearMe (shared ride)	About ¥980	About 15 min~	Includes expressway fees, door-to-door
Limousine bus	About ¥240	About 15 min~	Requires travel/waiting time to reach the stop
Taxi	About ¥1,600	About 15 min~	Pricier for 1–3 people; pickup and expressway fees extra
Private car	About ¥2,320	About 15 min~	Pickup and expressway fees extra; risk of full parking

Pricing by pickup/drop-off area is as follows (per-person price when using a shared ride):

Pickup/Drop-off Area	NearMe	Reference Taxi Price
Naha City	from ¥980	from ¥3,000
Urasoe City, Ginowan City	from ¥1,980	from ¥4,000
Chatan Town, Nishihara Town, Kitanakagusuku Village, Nakagusuku Village	from ¥2,980	from ¥5,000
Okinawa City, Uruma City, Yomitan Village, Kadena Town	from ¥5,980	from ¥6,000
Onna Village, Kin Town, Ginoza Village	from ¥10,800	from ¥8,000
Nago City	from ¥16,800	from ¥9,000

To be candid, in areas north of Onna Village, there are some routes where a taxi works out cheaper. In areas close to the airport, such as Naha City, Urasoe City, and Ginowan City, NearMe is significantly cheaper than a taxi, but if you live farther away, it’s worth comparing against a taxi as well.

Ways to Save Even More

• Early-bird discount: book at least 14 days before your ride for a discounted price
• Share discount: discounted pricing when you have a co-rider or when one is easy to match (based on date/time and route)
• Group discount: the more people in your group, the bigger the per-person savings, up to about 70% off
• Children ride at half the adult fare, and infants ride free
• One suitcase is free per person; an extra ¥500 per additional large item
• Earn ANA, JAL, or Starflyer miles when you use a shared ride
• Full refund guarantee in case of flight delays

Who NearMe Is a Great Fit For

• Those living in areas close to the airport, such as Naha City, Urasoe City, or Ginowan City
• Those who feel uneasy about driving, or would simply rather not drive
• Those with a lot of luggage, like suitcases, who’d find train transfers burdensome
• Those traveling to the airport with family or friends
• Those taking early-morning or late-night flights

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Which cafes can I use right after arrival? A. “Potama Naha Airport Domestic Arrival Lobby Shop” (1F) is in the arrival lobby and can be used without passing through security. It’s open from 7:00 to 21:00.

Q. I want to cool off in the summer heat — is there a shop where I can buy ice cream? A. At Blue Seal Jalux Departure Shop, you can enjoy “Blue Seal,” an ice cream brand born in Okinawa, before departure. It’s a great way to take a break before boarding.

Q. Is it crowded during summer vacation or the Obon period? A. Naha Airport gets especially crowded during summer vacation and the Obon and Kyu-Bon holiday periods. Reviews of Potama mention waits of around 15 people as of 12:00 on a Saturday, so we recommend allowing plenty of time.

Q. Are there any cafes I can use after security? A. Starbucks Coffee Naha Airport Domestic Gate Shop, Snack Court by Fugetsu, and Snack Corner Fugetsu, all in the 2F “Departure Lobby (Inside the Gate)” area, can be used after passing through security.

Q. Which floors at Naha Airport are before security? A. 1F, 3F, 4F, and the outer perimeter of 2F (around the DFS reception counter, where Fukugiya, Ryukyu Mura, and others are located) are before security. Only the area on 2F labeled “Departure Lobby (Inside the Gate)” is after security.

Q. I’d like to pay cashless — are there shops that support that? A. Many shops, including Starbucks, Doutor, Tully’s, Potama, and Sandwich House Gourmet, accept code payments such as PayPay. Potama accepts cash, card, and QR code payments.

Q. Are there any souvenirs I should buy before security? A. Fukugiya’s baumkuchen is often mentioned in reviews as a classic choice to buy before security and enjoy on the plane.

Q. For getting to Naha Airport, which ends up cheaper — parking or NearMe? A. If you live in an area close to the airport, such as Naha City, Urasoe City, or Ginowan City, NearMe’s shared ride, starting from ¥980, is significantly cheaper than a taxi. On the other hand, in areas north of Onna Village, a taxi can work out cheaper, so we recommend comparing based on where you live.

Summary

When choosing a cafe at Naha Airport, the basics are to first consider whether you’ve just arrived or are about to board, and whether you’re before or after security. Potama Naha Airport Domestic Arrival Lobby Shop is a reliable choice right after arrival, while Starbucks is a solid option after security. For souvenirs, items like Fukugiya’s baumkuchen — bought before security and enjoyed on the plane — are also worth checking out. In summer, cool off with Blue Seal ice cream, and during busy periods, be sure to allow plenty of time.

Also, when heading to Naha Airport, be sure to consider NearMe, which takes you door-to-door. It’s an especially great value for those living around Naha City. Give it a try on your next trip.