- Miyako-Beef Hamburg at a Body-Friendly Café Hidden in a Sarahama Residential Area
- NaNaCAFE Is a Body-Friendly Café Hidden in a Sarahama Residential Area
- The Miyako-Beef Hamburg Set Is the Signature Item
- Hot Sandwiches Are a Popular Item Too
- Shaved Ice and Sweets Are Substantial Too
- Body-Friendly Food Is the Concept
- The Interior Atmosphere Is Stylish and Calming
- Points to Note When Going to NaNaCAFE
- Visit Together with the Surrounding Sights
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Enjoy Body-Friendly Food and a Leisurely Time
Miyako-Beef Hamburg at a Body-Friendly Café Hidden in a Sarahama Residential Area
The first time I went to NaNaCAFE was on the way back from seeing Sabautsugaa, when I was searching "is there a café around here?" and saw a big whale mural in a residential area and thought "ah, that's it."
Up close it was a white building with a cute whale painted on the outer wall, and it apparently doubles as a guesthouse. I parked in the car park and slid open the glass door to enter, and inside it was unexpectedly spacious, with about 5 four-person table seats and one raised tatami seat too.
Stylish, with a clean white-based interior. Looking at the menu, the words "Miyako-beef and prefecture-pork hamburg with island-vegetable grill" caught my eye, and at ¥1,750 I thought "Miyako-beef hamburg, intriguing" and ordered it.
I waited about 15 minutes and the hamburg was carried out, with a big hamburg sitting there with a thud, plenty of grilled island vegetables too, vividly colourful. The moment I took one bite and thought "ah, this is delicious," the hamburg was plump, the umami of the meat spread in my mouth, and the island vegetables were sweet and delicious too.
It said additives are kept low, and indeed I felt it was a gentle taste that seemed good for the body. In this article, I'll introduce the appeal of NaNaCAFE in detail, based on my experience of visiting many times. Miyako-beef hamburg, hot sandwiches, shaved ice — I'll write all of it, so if you plan to go to Irabu Island, please absolutely drop by NaNaCAFE. Because you can savour the greatest luxury of spending slowly while eating body-friendly food.
NaNaCAFE Is a Body-Friendly Café Hidden in a Sarahama Residential Area
NaNaCAFE is a hideaway café in the Sarahama district of Irabu Island, in a place hard to find unless you know it, in the middle of a residential area.
The Big Whale on the Wall Is the Landmark
The landmark is the big whale painted on the outer wall, visible right away even from a distance. A blue whale painted on a white building, cute and photogenic. You can tell "ah, here it is" right away, so you don't get lost.
The first time I went too, I found the whale mural and thought "this stands out." The Sarahama residential area has many similar buildings, so without the whale mural I think it would have been hard to find.
With an Attached Guesthouse, You Can Stay Too
NaNaCAFE doubles as a guesthouse, with the café on the first floor and the guesthouse on the second. Since you can stay too, it's convenient for people who want to stay over on Irabu Island.
There are gender-separated dormitory types and private-room types, and you can also book it out as a group. Booking out for groups of 5 to 10 is possible, so it's good for friends and group trips too.
Self-catering facilities are in place too, so it handles long stays as well. I thought "if I stayed here, I could eat a morning meal at the café from the morning and head straight out sightseeing."
Diving Shop BLUESPACE Attached
NaNaCAFE also has a diving shop "BLUESPACE" attached. The Miyako Island sea has lots of coral and tropical fish, just like a natural aquarium.
You can eat at the café and then go diving, and you can also rest at the café after diving. For people who want to enjoy the Miyako Island sea to the full, I think it's a convenient place.
Opening Hours and Closing Days
Lunch time: 11:30–14:00 (last order 14:00)
Café time: 11:30–15:30 (last order 15:00)
Closing days: Sunday, 3rd Saturday (irregular closures possible)
▶"Please check the latest opening hours and closing days on [Tabelog: NaNaCAFE]"
Lunch time is from 11:30 to 14:00, and café time is open until 15:30. The closing days are Sunday and the 3rd Saturday, but there seem to be irregular closures too, so it's better to check on Instagram or social media before you go.
I once went and it was closed, an experience that disappointed me. Since then, I make a point of always checking on Instagram before going. The official Instagram is @guesthouse_cafe_nana, with information on opening days and new menus too, so following it is convenient.
Location and Access
Address: 581 Maezato, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Phone: 0980-78-5717
Instagram: @guesthouse_cafe_nana
Access: just before Sabautsugaa, the Sarahama residential area
It's on the way towards Sabautsugaa, and since there's a Sabautsugaa sign out, proceed along that road and enter the residential area. It's a hard-to-find place, but the whale mural is the landmark, so search for it and you'll find it.
Search "NaNaCAFE" on Google Maps and it comes up, so putting it into your car navigation is recommended. The car park has space for about 5 cars in front of the shop, narrow but you can park. I've been many times, but the car park has hardly ever been full.
The Miyako-Beef Hamburg Set Is the Signature Item
NaNaCAFE's signature item is the Miyako-beef and prefecture-pork hamburg with island-vegetable grill, and many people order this.
Moved by the Deliciousness of the Hamburg
Price: ¥1,750 (about US$12)
The hamburg is incredibly delicious, big and plump. The umami of the meat is firmly felt, and since it uses Miyako beef and prefecture pork, the meat quality is good and it's juicy.
Put a knife in and the juices come out, and I thought "this has a handmade feel." It's completely different from a chain family restaurant, with a sense of being carefully made. I've eaten it many times, but every time I think "delicious as expected."
There's demi-glace sauce over the hamburg, and this sauce has richness and is delicious too. The match of hamburg and sauce is outstanding, and the rice goes down well.
The Grilled Island Vegetables Are Vividly Colourful
Grilled island vegetables are served beside the hamburg, using Miyako-Island vegetables like carrot, pumpkin, green pepper and aubergine. They're multicoloured and vividly colourful.
The vegetables are incredibly delicious too, sweet and fresh, so they taste of the vegetables themselves. Being grilled they're savoury, and I think even people who dislike vegetables could eat them.
I'm not especially fond of vegetables myself, but NaNaCAFE's island vegetables are delicious and I end up eating them all. It's a deliciousness possible precisely because of fresh vegetables, I think.
Rice and Soup Come with It
The hamburg set comes with rice and soup. The rice is Miyako-Island rice, cooked plump and delicious.
The soup is daily-changing, and when I went it was a vegetable soup. A gentle taste that warms the body. It said additives are kept low, and indeed I felt it was a gentle taste that seemed good for the body.
Rice, hamburg, vegetables, soup — it's a well-balanced set with everything in place. This volume and deliciousness for ¥1,750 is, I think, good value.
Hot Sandwiches Are a Popular Item Too
NaNaCAFE is popular for hot sandwiches too, with 5 kinds of hot sandwich.
A Rich Variety of Hot Sandwiches
There are 5 kinds of hot sandwich, all looking delicious. Packed with plenty of fillings, full of volume. They're recommended when you want a lighter lunch, or when you visit during café time.
I've eaten a hot sandwich too, and the bread was crisply toasted with plenty of fillings inside, delicious. Being lighter than the hamburg, it's just right when you're not that hungry.
Mazemen Is a Noteworthy Item Too
NaNaCAFE also has an item called Nana Cafe mazemen, at ¥1,500 (about US$10). With Miyako soba noodles, island vegetables and an ethnic-style seasoning, it feels like a new form of Miyako soba.
I'm thinking I want to try the mazemen too, but I end up ordering the hamburg every time and haven't eaten it yet. Next time I definitely intend to order the mazemen.
Shaved Ice and Sweets Are Substantial Too
NaNaCAFE is substantial in shaved ice and sweets too, and many people visit during café time.
Shaved Ice Using Miyako-Island Fruit
The shaved ice is handmade using Miyako-Island fruit, using tropical fruits like mango, passion fruit and dragon fruit. It's especially popular in summer, and many people come to eat shaved ice.
When I visited in summer too, I ate shaved ice, and the ice was fluffy with plenty of fruit sauce poured on, delicious. I think it's a perfect dessert for a hot day.
Gluten-Free and White-Sugar-Free Desserts
NaNaCAFE is substantial in gluten-free and white-sugar-free desserts too. Being body-friendly desserts, they're recommended for people who mind their health too.
There's a dessert called cassata, and this is apparently incredibly delicious. Someone who ate it said "so delicious I want to take it away," so I want to try it next time too.
The Dessert Set Is Good Value
The dessert set is ¥350 (about US$2), and can be ordered as a set with lunch. For people who want dessert after lunch, I think it's good value.
I've ordered the dessert set too, but I got full on the hamburg and could only eat half the dessert. Next time I intend to go hungrier.
Body-Friendly Food Is the Concept
NaNaCAFE has body-friendly food as its concept, serving food with additives kept low.
Using Fresh Miyako-Island Ingredients
It uses Miyako-Island ingredients and island vegetables abundantly, and being fresh ingredients, they taste of the vegetables themselves. Miyako beef, prefecture pork, Miyako-Island rice, island vegetables — all are local ingredients.
Using local ingredients keeps the freshness and increases the deliciousness too. I realised "it's delicious because it uses local ingredients."
A Gentle Taste with Additives Kept Low
Since additives are kept low, it's a gentle taste that seems good for the body. Rather than strong seasoning, it's food making the most of the ingredients' taste, so the body feels pleased.
I thought "I could eat this every day and not get tired of it." Being body-friendly food, it's recommended for people who mind their health and for families with children too.
There Are Vegan-Friendly Items Too
NaNaCAFE has vegan-friendly items too, serving food using only plant-based ingredients. Even vegans can eat with peace of mind.
There are gluten-free desserts too, so even people with a gluten allergy can eat. I think it's a café people with various dietary restrictions can enjoy.
The Interior Atmosphere Is Stylish and Calming
NaNaCAFE's interior is stylish, with a calm atmosphere.
A Clean White-Based Interior
The interior is a clean white-based one, a bright and open space. There are about 5 four-person table seats and one raised tatami seat too.
The tatami seat is convenient for families with children too, and there are English picture books in front of the raised area, so children won't get bored. I thought "you can come with peace of mind even with children."
You Can Enjoy a Leisurely Time
NaNaCAFE is a healing space where you can enjoy a leisurely time. Being in a residential area and quiet, you can spend time relaxed.
I've visited many times, but every time I think "coming here is calming." It's a perfect place to read a book at the café, chat with friends, or spend time slowly.
The Interior Decor Is Cute Too
The interior decor is cute too, with sea-themed decorations and small items giving an island feel displayed. It's a stylish space that makes you want to take photos.
I've taken photos inside too, and wherever you shoot it makes a picture. I think it's a lovely café that makes you want to post on Instagram.
Points to Note When Going to NaNaCAFE
Let me list a few points to note when going to NaNaCAFE.
Check the Opening Days on Social Media
The closing days are Sunday and the 3rd Saturday, but there are irregular closures too, so it's better to always check on Instagram before going. Going all that way only to find it closed is disappointing, so I recommend checking in advance.
The official Instagram is @guesthouse_cafe_nana, with information on opening days and new menus too. I follow it too and make a point of checking before going every time.
It Can Get Crowded at Lunchtime
Lunchtime (12–1) can get crowded, and you may wait. If you want to definitely get in, going right after the 11:30 opening or after 1 pm is recommended.
When I went at 12:30, the seats were full and I waited a little. But the wait was about 10 minutes, so it wasn't that long.
The Car Park Is Narrow
The car park has only about 5 spaces in front of the shop, and is narrow. If it's full, you need to park on the nearby roadside or wait a little.
But in all my many visits, the car park has hardly ever been full. Sarahama is an area with few tourists, so I think it rarely gets crowded.
It Accepts Cashless Payment
NaNaCAFE accepts cashless payment, with credit cards and electronic money usable. It's reassuring even without cash.
I've paid cashless too, and the checkout was smooth. I think it's convenient for people who don't want to carry cash too.
There Is an Island-Resident Discount
NaNaCAFE has an island-resident discount, and Miyako-Island residents can get a discount. Being a café loved by locals too, having an island-resident discount is, I think, a welcome service.
I'm not an islander so I can't get the discount, but a café locals frequent is, I think, proof of being delicious.
Visit Together with the Surrounding Sights
There are other sights around NaNaCAFE too, so visiting them together is good.
Sabautsugaa Is Within Walking Distance
Sabautsugaa is a few minutes by car from NaNaCAFE, a famous spot on Irabu Island. Eating lunch at NaNaCAFE after seeing Sabautsugaa is recommended.
I've dropped by NaNaCAFE on the way back from seeing Sabautsugaa too, and being able to enjoy sightseeing and lunch together was convenient.
Sarahama Fishing Port Is Close Too
Sarahama Fishing Port is close to NaNaCAFE, where you can feel the atmosphere of the port. The port also has "Insha-no-Eki Sarahama," where you can buy fresh fish too.
I've strolled Sarahama Fishing Port too, and it was a tranquil place where you can feel the locals' daily life.
Toguchi-no-Hama Is 15 Minutes by Car
Toguchi-no-Hama is about 15 minutes by car from NaNaCAFE, Irabu Island's most famous beach. The white-sand beach and emerald-green sea are beautiful.
Enjoying the beach at Toguchi-no-Hama after eating lunch at NaNaCAFE is also a good course, I think. I've toured that course too, and spent a fulfilling day.
Toriike Pond Is 20 Minutes by Car
Toriike Pond is about 20 minutes by car from NaNaCAFE, a representative sight of Shimojishima. Two circular ponds, large and small, connect to the sea through a cave on the seaward side, where you can enjoy a mysterious view.
Eat body-friendly food at NaNaCAFE, and feel the beauty of nature at Toriike Pond. Such a day too is lovely, I think.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Let me gather and answer the questions often asked about NaNaCAFE.
Q1: Where is NaNaCAFE?
In the Sarahama district of Irabu Island. The address is 581 Maezato, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa.
Q2: What are the opening hours?
Lunch time 11:30–14:00 (LO 14:00), café time 11:30–15:30 (LO 15:00).
Q3: What are the closing days?
Sunday and the 3rd Saturday. There are irregular closures too, so it's better to check on Instagram.
Q4: Is there a car park?
Yes. About 5 spaces in front of the shop.
Q5: What is the signature item?
The Miyako-beef and prefecture-pork hamburg with island-vegetable grill. ¥1,750.
Q6: Can I pay cashless?
Yes. Credit cards and electronic money can be used.
Q7: Is it OK with children?
It's OK. There's a raised tatami seat too, so it's reassuring even with children.
Q8: Are there vegan-friendly items?
Yes. Food using only plant-based ingredients is served too.
Q9: Are reservations needed?
Not particularly, but if you want to definitely get in, it's good to confirm by phone.
Q10: Can I stay at the guesthouse?
Yes. There are gender-separated dormitories and private rooms.
Q11: Can I get takeaway?
Yes. The café food and desserts can be taken away too.
Q12: What is the island-resident discount?
A discount service for Miyako-Island residents.
Enjoy Body-Friendly Food and a Leisurely Time
What I felt most strongly from visiting NaNaCAFE many times was that this is a place where you can enjoy body-friendly food and a leisurely time.
The Miyako-beef and prefecture-pork hamburg is big and plump, with the umami of the meat firmly felt. The grilled island vegetables are vividly colourful, sweet and fresh. The rice is Miyako-Island rice, and the soup is a gentle taste. Everything is in place for a well-balanced set.
Since additives are kept low, it's a gentle taste that seems good for the body. Rather than strong seasoning, it's food making the most of the ingredients' taste, so the body feels pleased. I thought "I could eat this every day and not get tired of it."
There are 5 kinds of hot sandwich too, all looking delicious. The mazemen is intriguing too, and I want to try the shaved ice. There are gluten-free and white-sugar-free desserts too, so people with various dietary restrictions can enjoy it.
The interior is a clean white-based one, a bright and open space. There's a tatami seat too, so families with children can come with peace of mind. It's a healing space where you can enjoy a leisurely time, and spend it relaxed.
The big whale painted on the outer wall is the landmark, visible right away even from a distance. Being in a residential area it's hard to find unless you know it, but search for the whale mural and you'll find it.
Since it doubles as a guesthouse, you can stay too. There are gender-separated dormitories and private rooms, and you can also book it out as a group. A diving shop is attached too, so you can enjoy it combined with diving.
NaNaCAFE is a body-friendly café hidden in a Sarahama residential area. Using local ingredients, it serves food with additives kept low. I think it's a perfect place for people who mind their health, and for people who want to enjoy delicious food slowly.
If you come to Irabu Island, please absolutely drop by NaNaCAFE. On the way towards Sabautsugaa, search for the whale mural in the residential area. Park your car, slide open the glass door and enter. In the clean white-based interior, look at the menu.
Order the Miyako-beef and prefecture-pork hamburg with island-vegetable grill, and wait about 15 minutes. When the hamburg is carried out, first you're moved by the look of it. A big hamburg and vividly colourful grilled island vegetables. Please savour the moment you take one bite and think "ah, this is delicious."
The hamburg is plump, and the umami of the meat spreads in your mouth. The island vegetables are sweet and delicious too. Rice and soup come with it, and with everything in place it's a well-balanced set. With a gentle taste with additives kept low, the body feels pleased.
Adding a dessert set after the meal and enjoying shaved ice or cake is nice too. Visiting during café time and spending it relaxed over a hot sandwich and coffee is nice too. Whichever time you visit, you can enjoy body-friendly food and a leisurely time.
I can say with confidence that NaNaCAFE is a café you should absolutely visit when you come to Irabu Island. It's a café loved not only by tourists but by locals too. That there's an island-resident discount is, I think, proof of being loved by locals.
A body-friendly café hidden in a Sarahama residential area. Miyako-beef hamburg, grilled island vegetables, a gentle taste with additives kept low. A clean white-based interior, a leisurely time. With everything in place, you can savour the greatest luxury.
Eat lunch at NaNaCAFE after seeing Sabautsugaa. Eat shaved ice at NaNaCAFE after enjoying the beach at Toguchi-no-Hama. Drink coffee at NaNaCAFE after seeing Toriike Pond. With any combination, you can spend a fulfilling day.
When you come to Irabu Island, please be sure to drop by NaNaCAFE. And please enjoy a leisurely time while eating body-friendly food. At the Sarahama hideaway café marked by the whale mural, please savour the greatest luxury. Because NaNaCAFE is a place that teaches us something important.
