Where to Find Mokeke Plush Keychains on Okinawa’s Kokusai Street
Let me tell you about my little adventure hunting for Mokeke plush keychains on Kokusai Street in Okinawa. It was one of those days where I woke up way too
early, fueled by excitement and maybe one too many cups of matcha latte. I arrived at Kokusai Street before most of the shops even opened, which, let’s be honest, is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I got to enjoy the quiet charm of the street before the crowds rolled in. On the other hand, I had to awkwardly pace around, pretending to be deeply interested in the closed storefronts while secretly hoping no one noticed my over-eagerness. When the shops finally opened, I made a beeline for the first souvenir store I spotted. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a wall of colorful, adorable Okinawan trinkets. But no Mokeke keychains. The shopkeeper, a sweet older lady with a warm smile, noticed my slightly panicked expression and asked, “何をお探しですか？” (What are you looking for?). I fumbled through my broken Japanese, saying, “Mokeke… keychains?” She chuckled and pointed me to a shop a few doors down, saying, “あそこにありますよ！” (They have them over there!). Sure enough, the next shop was a treasure trove of Mokeke goodness. Rows of these tiny, squishy plush keychains in every color and design imaginable lined the shelves. I may or may not have squealed a little. I ended up buying way more than I needed—because how could I choose just one? There was a pineapple Mokeke, a shisa dog Mokeke, and even a tiny Okinawa soba bowl Mokeke. I mean, come on.
Are Mokeke Keychains Available at Churaumi Aquarium?
Now, here’s where things got a little funny. Later that day, I decided to visit the famous Churaumi Aquarium. It’s stunning, by the way—those whale sharks are absolute units. But as I wandered through the gift shop, I couldn’t help but look for Mokeke keychains. Spoiler alert: they weren’t there. The aquarium’s merch is, unsurprisingly, all about marine life. Think whale shark plushies, coral reef-themed stationery, and dolphin keychains. Cute, but not quite what I was after. I did, however, end up buying a whale shark plushie because… well, why not? It’s now sitting on my desk, judging me for my impulsive shopping habits. Looking back, I realize how much I enjoyed the little moments of that day—the kind shopkeeper who helped me out, the joy of finding those Mokeke keychains, and even the slight disappointment at the aquarium that turned into a new plushie friend. It’s these quirks and imperfections that make travel so memorable, don’t you think? So, if you’re planning a trip to Okinawa and want to snag some Mokeke keychains, skip the aquarium and head straight to Kokusai Street. And hey, if you’ve been there and found them somewhere else, or if you have your own funny travel story, drop a comment below! I’d love to hear about your adventures.
