soraniwa hotel and cafe | Sea-View Cafe and Stay on the West Coast (Irabu, Miyako)

soraniwa hotel and cafe is a hotel-attached cafe marked by two white buildings standing on the west coast of Irabu Island. The owner couple from Tokyo opened it in 2010, before the Irabu Ohashi Bridge was built, and it is known as a pioneer that rooted cafe culture on the island. From the 1st-floor, 2nd-floor and terrace seats alike, you can take in the horizon dubbed "Irabu Blue", and the open view is its appeal. The menu centres on dishes making use of island ingredients, such as galettes of 100% Miyakojima-produced buckwheat flour, a weekly-changing lunch, house-made sweets, and lemonade of Irabu-Island-grown roselle. With only 5 guest rooms it is a small inn where you can spend island time quietly. Business is 11:30 to 18:00, closed Wednesday (varies by season). It is a recommended spot for those who want to relax while gazing at the sea. Confirming the opening status on the official site before visiting is recommended.

Full article about this spot

Uoichiba Ichiwa: The 900-Yen Tub Sashimi Bowl by Sarahama Fishing Port on Irabu Island (Miyako)

A review of Uoichiba Ichiwa by Sarahama Fishing Port on Irabu Island near Miyakojima: a now-closed diner famous for a 900-yen tub-piled tuna and bonito sashimi bowl with four ways to eat it.

Map & Access

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Basic Information

Location (Island)Irabu Island
AddressAza Irabu 721-1, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Hours / Opening timeCafe 11:30 to 18:00 (lunch L.O. 15:00 / overall L.O. 17:00). Stay check-in separate. Varies by season
ClosedWednesday (Thursday may also close by season). May close long-term in the off-season (winter)
FeeCafe is food cost only (galettes, sweets, house-made lemonade, etc.). Stay charged separately
ParkingAvailable, free (spacious grounds, easy parking)
Contact0980-74-5520 (cafe) / official site http://soraniwa.org/

Visiting tips & what to bring

A cafe on high ground overlooking the sea; the terrace seats have days with strong sun and wind, so a hat and sun protection make it comfortable. The car park is wide and paved. In the off-season (winter) or in bad weather it may close temporarily or long-term, so when visiting from afar, confirming the opening status by phone or the official site in advance is reassuring. Being popular, the lunch time can crowd.

For families with small children

A small inn with 5 rooms, a cafe whose appeal is a quiet sea-view atmosphere. A pushchair can be hard to handle in places due to steps and stairs, but there are a terrace and a wide car park, so a short drop-by is possible. As a kids menu and child facilities are limited, with infants, inquiring in advance about nursing and nappy-change availability is reassuring. It is a calm, adult-oriented space.

FAQ

Q.Is booking needed?

A.You can enter for cafe use without booking, but being popular, lunch time can be full. If you want to be sure, confirming by phone (0980-74-5520) in advance is reassuring. Stays can be booked via the official site or booking sites.

Q.Can you go by car? Is there parking?

A.About 5 minutes toward Irabu after crossing the Irabu Ohashi Bridge, marked by two white buildings. There is a spacious free car park, easy to park by hire car.

Q.Can you see the sea? How is the view?

A.In addition to 1st- and 2nd-floor seats there are terrace seats, and from any seat you can take in the Irabu Blue horizon. The view on a clear day is exceptional, and dusk is recommended too.

Q.What kind of menu is there?

A.You can enjoy island-ingredient dishes such as galettes of 100% Miyakojima buckwheat flour, a weekly-changing lunch, house-made sweets, and lemonade and latte using Irabu-Island roselle.

Q.Are there closing days or closure periods?

A.It closes every Wednesday, and may also close Thursday by season. In the off-season (winter) it may close long-term, so confirm the opening status on the official site or by phone before visiting.