A Little Okinawa of noodles and island sweets
Tsurumi, a factory district of Yokohama, drew many workers from Okinawa, Japan's southern island chain, and their shops and eateries still line its Naka-dori street. Eat a bowl of Okinawa soba, thick wheat noodles in a pork and bonito broth that are quite unlike buckwheat soba, then buy sata andagi, fried doughnut balls, to take home. Tsurumi Station is about 25 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR line.
A shop packed with food, folk crafts and souvenirs from Okinawa, and the place on this street to buy sata andagi and Okinawa soba noodles made by the shop itself. It is open every day, so it makes an easy first or last stop.
A small eatery next to the shop, serving soki soba, Okinawa soba topped with soft, slow-braised pork ribs, and jushii, rice cooked with pork and vegetables. It is open for lunch only, so plan to eat here around midday, and check its closing days before you go.
A soba shop serving Okinawa soba the way it is made in Okinawan homes, with thick wheat noodles and soft pork. Lines can form before it opens, so arrive early. It is closed on Tuesdays.