Blue Seal The Ice Cream Born in Okinawa

Blue Seal is an ice cream brand long cherished under the catchphrase born in America, raised in Okinawa. Originally produced for the US military, it grew into a presence widely loved by locals. Its brightly colored shops and distinctive island flavors make it hugely popular with visitors as well.

Highlights

Beyond the classic vanilla and chocolate, its greatest appeal is the lineup of Okinawan flavors such as purple sweet potato, salt chinsuko, shikuwasa, and sugarcane. The vivid purple sweet potato in particular enjoys unwavering popularity. The retro American style interiors are also known as photogenic spots.

Enjoying the Seasons

Ice cream is enjoyable all year, but under the strong sun of an Okinawan summer, a cold Blue Seal is a special reward. It is perfect for cooling down after the beach or between sightseeing stops. In Okinawa, warm even in winter, you will see people enjoying ice cream in any season.

Access and Basic Information

With shops across the prefecture, including the Makiminato main store in Urasoe, it is easy to enjoy at the airport and drive ins too. The Makiminato main store is away from the monorail stations, so arriving by car is convenient. Located along a national highway with long opening hours, it is easy to drop into on the way to or from sightseeing. Cups and bars are sold at supermarkets and convenience stores, popular as souvenirs. The main store offers shop exclusive menus such as parfaits and sundaes.

Practical Travel Notes

Blue Seal has many shops and is sold at the airport, drive ins, and supermarkets, so its strength is being easy to enjoy at any point in a trip. To take your time, the Makiminato main store in Urasoe is recommended. Set along National Route 58 with a retro American atmosphere, it offers main store exclusive menus such as parfaits and sundaes. A large lineup of flavors is always on hand, and those using Okinawan ingredients such as purple sweet potato, salt chinsuko, and shikuwasa make for a travel memory you can taste only here. Choosing a double or triple lets you compare several Okinawan flavors at once. For souvenirs, cups and bars are easy, and available at supermarkets and convenience stores across the prefecture.

A Quick Tip

If you cannot decide, start with the purple sweet potato flavor, the one that feels most like Okinawa. To sample several flavors a little at a time, choosing a double or triple is recommended. The main store also serves generous parfaits, perfect when you want to linger a while.