Luxury 3-day/2-night stay at HOSHINOYA Okinawa to experience Ryukyuan culture
Okinawa Prefecture once flourished as the Ryukyu Kingdom through overseas trade and still has a rich international flavor today. The Ryukyuan culture that has been nurtured since the dynastic period is still alive in many aspects such as architecture, crafts, food, and performing arts.
HOSHINOYA Okinawa, located along the coast of Yomitan Village in the central part of Okinawa's main island, is a premier luxury hotel "HOSHINOYA Okinawa" that incorporates Okinawa's culture and history. We will guide you through an exquisite 3-day/2-night stay where you can spend time in an extraordinary space with a view of the ocean and enjoy Okinawan sightseeing, local cuisine, and traditional crafts.
Points of the model course
- Tour of Okinawa's most popular sightseeing spots
- Stay as if you were living in Okinawa and experience Ryukyuan culture
- Enjoy the rich delicacies nurtured in Okinawa
Day 1
Naha Airport
Approximately 60 min. by car
13:00 Kinchigi Soba
Homemade noodles kneaded with Okinawan whole wheat flour are the pride of the restaurant!
Kinzuki soba (ordinary soba)" 800 yen. Small: 600 yen, large: 920 yen
Located near the roadside station "Kinabansho," this restaurant specializes in Okinawan soba. You can taste the rare homemade noodles made of Okinawa's "Shimamugi Kanasan" whole wheat flour kneaded into the dough. Whole wheat flour is rich in dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and has been attracting more attention in these days of heightened health consciousness.
Recommended is the "Kingetsu Soba," after which the restaurant is named. It is topped with three pieces of meat and thick fried tofu, and comes with seared cartilage soki as an optional garnish. The soup is bonito broth. The noodles are thick, uneven, and curled, with a smooth, chewy texture and a pleasant slurping sensation.
- Kinzuki Soba
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201 Kina, Yomitan Village, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa MAP
11:00-16:00
Monday *Open if Monday is a national holiday
098-958-5896
10 min. by car
14:00 Zakimi Castle Ruins
A World Heritage Site Gusuku where the skills of the famous Chikugi family can be seen everywhere
Part of the castle wall can be climbed. Located on a hillside at an elevation of 120 meters, it offers an outstanding view of the East China Sea.
Zakimi Castle is a gusuku (castle) said to have been built in the early 15th century by Gosamaru Yuntanza, a famous castle builder. In 2000, it was registered as a World Heritage site as one of the "Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. The beautiful curving lines of the castle walls and the elaborate masonry of the arch gate and castle walls show the high level of construction technology of the time.
The adjoining "World Heritage Site Zakimi Castle Ruins Yuntanza Museum" is also a must-visit spot. The museum introduces the history and structure of Zakimi Castle Ruins, as well as the ruins, culture, and nature of Yomitan Village and the Battle of Okinawa through photos, videos, and dioramas.
- Zakimi Castle Ruins (Zakimi Castle Ruins)
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Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa MAP
Free to visit
098-958-3141(World Heritage Site Zakimi Castle Ruins Yuntanza Museum)
For more information about "World Heritage Site Zakimi Castle Ruins Yuntanza Museum", please check the website.
10 min. by car
15:00 HOSHINOYA Okinawa
An Unusual Luxury Experience like Living by the Sea
The concept of the resort, which stretches along the beautiful coastline, is a "gusuku residence. Surrounded by a "Gusuku Wall" inspired by Okinawa's historical sites, the grounds are dotted with gardens and fields decorated with tropical flowers and grasses, a pool open to the ocean, and a dojo, a base for activities. All Guest rooms have ocean front desks, offering the luxury of a one-of-a-kind stay.
Fushi
The building is a low-rise building with up to two floors, and all rooms are ocean front desk. The building has a "Doma Dining Room" where you can experience traditional Okinawan crafts such as Ryukyu Bingata wallpaper and Yachimun (pottery) tea utensils. Guest room "Fushi" has a "Tokoza Living Room" with a sunken kotatsu, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the ocean.
15:30 "A Moment by the Sea
Bukubuku tea, a soothing drink for travelers, to take a breather
Fluffy bubbles are piled up on top of the sampincha tea. The "makai (tea bowl)," a representative Yachimun vessel, is also noteworthy.
The traditional Okinawan "bukubuku-cha" tea is served in the red-tiled roofed dojo. This tea has been served in the dojo, which has a red-tile roof, to pray for safe voyages and journeys since ancient times. The elegant tea is made by boiling down roasted rice and whisking it with sanpincha tea.
18:30 "Evening Sitting
Dusk drenched in the elegance of traditional performing arts
Beautiful and gorgeous Ryukyuan dances and the sound of the sanshin (Okinawan guitar) with its unique musical scale will take you to the world of the Ryukyu Dynasty.
In the evening, traditional performing arts such as Ryukyuan dance and Ryukyuan karate are performed daily at the "Gathering Hall" adjacent to the pool. No reservations are required, and anyone can enjoy these performances. Why not experience the skills and arts handed down from the Ryukyu Dynasty and reminisce about a bygone era?
19:00 Pool
The exquisite sunset from the infinity pool
The pool is heated and can be enjoyed all year round, and is available 24 hours a day, so you can enjoy the starry sky, the morning sunrise, and other beautiful sights at any time of the day.
The pool, which seems to be connected to the ocean, is the best spot to watch the sunset. The ever-changing colors of the sky and the glow of the setting sun as it sinks into the sea are a beauty that will make you forget the passage of time. There are four areas with different depths, and chairs in the shallow water allow you to relax in your clothes.
21:00 Dinner "Gathering Service
Enjoy the spectacular view and freshly prepared food in your Guest room.
More than 30 different menus including Japanese, Western, and shabu-shabu set menus as well as a la carte dishes featuring Okinawan cuisine
If you would like to enjoy dinner in your Guest room with a view of the ocean, how about a new style of dining service? You can enjoy authentic cuisine prepared by a chef who will finish the dishes at your favorite time. You can enjoy a freshly prepared meal at your leisure and enjoy the spectacular view that changes every moment from evening to night.
Day 2
07:00 "Morning Workout Deep Breathing
Morning stretch in the dojo with ocean view
The green lawn in front of you and the blue ocean beyond will refresh you.
Every morning, a wake-up stretch is held in the dojo. The exercises are based on Ryukyu karate kata, and are done by breathing in for 4 beats and exhaling for 8 beats. In the fresh air, the body is slowly adjusted, loosening stiffness and warming the body moderately.
07:30 Breakfast "Dining
Start the day with an elegant breakfast
Ryukyu Breakfast" featuring Okinawan specialties such as marth stew with the flavor of salt and awamori, rafte, yushi-tofu, and juicy (cooked rice).
Breakfast in the open-air dining room with its high ceiling is a selection of "Ryukyu Breakfast" rich in Okinawa's nourishment and "Sicilian Breakfast" with its vivid colors. The counter is lined with juices blended with fruits and herbs to soak into your body upon awakening.
Approximately 90 minutes by car
10:30 National Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park) Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Be impressed by the unique creatures of the Churaumi Sea
The "Kuroshio Sea," with its powerful whale sharks swimming close by (photo courtesy of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium).
Located in the National Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park) in Motobu-cho, northern Okinawa, the aquarium is extremely popular. Under the theme of "Encounters with the Ocean of Okinawa," the aquarium reproduces the ocean around Okinawa in its natural state. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of marine life of approximately 710 species in a very realistic setting.
The main spot is the "Kuroshio Sea" where migratory fish swim in a huge tank. The world's largest whale shark and the world's first successfully bred southern manta ray swim in a leisurely manner. Other attractions include "Deep Sea," "Coral Sea," and "Sea of Tropical Fish," where the mysterious world of the deep sea unfolds. There are also Facilities and Resting Spots around the aquarium where you can see dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles, so why not take the time to tour the aquarium?
- National Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park) Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
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424 Aza-Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa MAP
8:30-18:30 (Entry deadline: 17:30) *Check the website for extended hours.
Please check the website.
Adults 2,180 yen, High school students 1,440 yen, Elementary/junior high school students 710 yen, Children under 6 free
0980-48-3748
10 min. by car
13:00 Uminin Cuisine Kaiho Maru
Feast on seasonal local fish and the bounty of Yanbaru
Umibudo Kaisen-don" (seafood rice bowl) with tuna, irabucha, akamachi, etc., 1,650 yen (ingredients change depending on availability).
Located in the commercial property "Okinawa Hanasaki Marche," the aquarium is known for its fisherman's cuisine using local fish and Okinawan dishes made with local ingredients. All of the local fish purchased at the market auction every morning are extremely fresh. The restaurant also offers a variety of dishes that incorporate ingredients from the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, such as seasonal island vegetables and agu pork, as well as rice bowls, set menus, and a la carte dishes.
The most popular dish is the "Umibudo Kaisen Don," a bowl of rice topped with an assortment of only Okinawan fish. Six types of local fish, which change daily, are accented with the crunchy texture of sea grapes from Yagaji Island, making for a delicious dish that will keep you coming back for more. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of local dishes such as "mozuku tempura," "fried gurukun," and "handmade jjimami tofu.
- Kaijin Ryori Kaiho Maru
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1421-5 Yamakawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa MAP
11:00-15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:30-22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
No holidays
0980-48-3343
15 min. by car
14:30 Sesoko Island
Spectacular drive to a remote island where the original landscape of Okinawa remains
The 762-meter-long Sesoko Ohashi Bridge stands out against the cobalt blue sea of coral reefs.
The remote island has a circumference of approximately 8 km and is connected to Motobu Peninsula in the northern part of Okinawa's main island by a bridge. In addition to its abundant nature, including crystal clear waters and vast sugarcane fields, the island is easily accessible by car.
Sesoko Beach stretches about 800 meters on the west side of the island. The natural beach with shining white sand overlooks Iejima and Minnajima, and is crowded with people enjoying swimming and marine sports during the swimming season. It is also known as a sunset spot, and the sight of the entire area turning red at sunset is a heartwarming sight.
Sesoko Island is also known for its beautiful starry night sky. The stars in the sky, which stand out because of the lack of lights, are breathtaking.
- Sesoko Island
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Sesoko, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa MAP
0980-47-3641(Motobu Town Tourist Association)
3 min. by car from Sesoko Ohashi Bridge
14:45 Ringo Café
Macaroons, a delicacy that captures the rich bounty of Okinawa, are very popular.
Macarons" 240 yen each, "Salted caramel cream puffs" 600 yen, "Hibiscus soda" 500 yen (drinks are an additional 10 yen if you eat in)
A French pastry chef and his Japanese wife run the cafe in an old house with a tricolor flag fluttering in the sky. The French pastries using abundant ingredients from Sesoko Island and other parts of Okinawa are very popular, and many fans come from far and wide to visit.
The showcase is decorated with 26 kinds of colorful macaroons. The variety of flavors is dizzying, including island banana, passion fruit, sampincha tea, awamori, and more. The macarons are so lovely that you will want to keep looking at them. After the crispy texture, the taste of the ingredients spreads in your mouth and fills you with a sense of happiness. The cakes are also a must-try for both the eyes and the palate.
Cookies and other baked goods are also recommended as gifts. The crunchy texture is a delicious taste that will linger in your mouth for a long time.
- Ringo Café
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279 Sesoko, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa MAP
11:00-16:00
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Products can be taken out except espresso. One drink is required for eat-in.
Approx. 75 min. by car
18:00 Dinner "Dining
Ryukyu Gastronomia - Bellezza", a fusion of beauty and food
Taro gnocchi caviar (an example of a course, varies with the season). Enjoy a dish that combines taste, nutrients, and color to nurture beauty.
This course is designed to lead you to "healthy beauty" by adopting "Kusuimun" (medicine and food), which has lived on since the days of the Ryukyu Dynasty. The power of ingredients unique to Okinawa is drawn out using techniques from all over Italy, and sublimated into nine dishes full of originality. Yachimun and folk artifacts such as "baaki" (bamboo baskets), which tell the story of Okinawa's culture, are used as tableware for the gastronomic experience.
Day 3
08:30 "Asanagi Yonnai Horse Riding
A refreshing morning walk on the beach with a horse
The interaction with the horses, such as patting them on the neck when praising them or feeding them after riding, is also an attraction.
Yomitan Village was once the site of the Ryukyu Kingdom's vast horse riding grounds. During the morning horseback riding Experience, you will take an elegant walk along the beach where the sound of the waves and the sea breeze is pleasant. At the beginning, you will be carefully taught how to ride a horse and how to handle the reins, so even beginners can enjoy the experience.
Short walk
BANTA CAFE by Hoshino Resorts
Every seat has a special seat with a spectacular view. Relaxing brunch at the ocean café on the cliff
The "seaside terrace," with its Ryukyu tatami mat motif and cushions on the floor, brings you close to the ocean.
One of the largest ocean cafes in Japan is located next to HOSHINOYA Okinawa. The site stretches along a cove and has four areas that take advantage of the natural coastal terrain. The "O-roof Deck" stretches beyond the entrance, offering a panoramic view of the horizon. Visitors can look forward to finding their favorites among the different areas, such as the "seaside terrace" on the walking path to the beach, and the "rocky terrace" surrounded by large rocks carved by the waves and plants.
The menu offers a variety of food and drinks unique to Okinawa, such as "pork and egg rice balls" and "Uchina pizza toast" topped with bitter melon. The "Bukubuku Jule Soda," inspired by Okinawa's traditional Bukubuku tea, is a refreshing drink made with soda topped with fluffy bubbles and polka-dot jelly.
- BANTA CAFE by Hoshino Resorts
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560 Gima, Yomitan Village, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa MAP
10:00~1 hour after sunset (L.O. sunset)
Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and April 27-May 6: 8:00~.
No holidays
098-921-6810
Business days and hours are subject to change for certain reasons
11:00 Check out of HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Approximately 60 min. by car
12:00 Shuri Castle Park
Visit one of the best sightseeing spots in Okinawa, symbolizing the Ryukyu Kingdom
The phrase "Shurei-no-ho" written on the flat plaque means "Ryukyu is a country that respects civility" (photo courtesy of Shureimon, Shuri Castle Park).
Shuri Castle, built in the 14th century, was the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and after being destroyed by fire during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, was rebuilt as Shuri Castle Park in 1992.
The Shureimon, a vermilion-lacquered tower gate, Sono Hiyan Utaki Ishimon, a place of worship where the king prayed for safety when he went out, the Huangaimon, the main gate to the castle, and many other attractions are scattered throughout the park. 2000 saw the registration of the Shuri Castle Ruins as a World Heritage Site.
In 2019, the main hall and other buildings were destroyed by fire. Currently, the restoration is open to the public under the theme of "reconstruction to be shown". The restoration of the main hall is scheduled for the fall of 2026. Now is the time to visit this spot where you can see the work process through glass.
- Shuri Castle Park
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1-2 Shuri Kinjo-machi, Naha City, Okinawa MAP
8:00-19:30, 8:30-19:00 in paid area (entrance from 18:30)
*Changes depending on the season; check the website.
No holidays
Adults 400 yen, high school students 300 yen, elementary/junior high school students 160 yen, children under 6 years old free of charge
098-886-2020
Approximately 4 minutes by car
14:30 Shuri Textile Museum suikara
A world of beautiful fabrics that tell the story of history
There is also a store corner in one corner of the gallery. Items such as wallets and pouches that add a touch of elegance to your daily life are recommended as souvenirs.
It will open in 2022 as a base to connect the traditional techniques of "Bingata" dyeing and "Shuri-ori" weaving, which have been handed down since the days of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus, to the next generation. Bingata, which originated in the Ryukyu Islands, is a tropical dyeing technique with vivid colors and bold color schemes, and many of its motifs are based on Okinawa's nature and culture. Shuriori textiles from Shuri, which prospered as the royal capital of Okinawa, are characterized by their elegant and graceful weaves, including Hanakura-ori, which was worn by royalty.
The gallery displays Shuri-ori and Bingata kimonos and obis. Visitors can't help but admire the beauty of the delicate handmade work. Experience programs are available at both the Shuriori and Bingata workshops. You can try them on the day of your visit if there is space, but it is better to make a reservation.
- Shuri Textile Museum suikara
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2-16 Shuri Touzou-cho, Naha City, Okinawa MAP
10:30-18:00 (varies according to season)
Tuesdays, Year-end and New Year's holidays, Ukui (last day of the Lunar Bon Festival)
Admission is free, Experience programs are available for a fee (see website for details).
098-917-6030
5 min. by car
15:30 Kakuman Lacquerware
Adore Ryukyu lacquerware that conveys "Shimanukuru (heart of the island)
Chopsticks, a standard gift item, are priced from 4,500 yen per set (photo: 4,900 yen). Cups are made using the "tataki" technique, which is different from "nuri" (lacquering).
Established over 120 years ago, this is the oldest "Ryukyu lacquerware" shop in Okinawa. The technique of Ryukyu lacquerware is said to have been introduced from China to the Ryukyu Kingdom in the 14th and 15th centuries, and is a traditional craft that Okinawa is proud of. Kado-Man Lacquerware has inherited the tradition, and further pursued the possibilities of lacquer to produce works of art.
The wood used for each piece depends on its purpose, such as deigo (Okinawa's prefectural flower) and shitamaki (a type of evergreen tree). The lacquerware is painstakingly finished with multiple coats of lacquer and is so beautiful that it is hard not to fall in love with it. Decorations of flower hats, hibiscus, shell gingers, and other Okinawan designs add to the gorgeous appearance of the lacquerware.
The jewelry brand of the store is also a must-see. The store offers a variety of items such as earrings, necklaces, bangles, and other items that will add a new level of elegance to your outfits and convey the new charm of lacquer.
- Kakuman Lacquerware
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1-54-1 Shuriyama Kawamachi, Naha City, Okinawa MAP
10:00-18:00
Sunday
098-943-3810
The workshop can be visited at any time during business hours.
In the same restaurant
16:00 CAFE Kakuman
A fascinating collaboration of shiny lacquerware and popular sweets
Set for two" is 2,100 yen. Drinks can be selected from coffee and tsubokusa tea. Choice of ice cream from your favorite flavors.
After experiencing the world of lacquerware, visitors are invited to visit the store's café. The café offers customers a chance to enjoy and use lacquerware, which tends to have an image of being easily scratched or difficult to use, through food. All lacquerware used in the café is available for purchase. When you actually hold the lacquerware in your hands, you will find that it is light, soft, and comfortable, and you will gradually become attached to it.
Drinks include coffee and "Kanigawa black tea" produced in Nago City. Banana cake from Izumi Confectionery in Shigetagawa, Naha City, ice cream from CAFUNÉ in Futenma, Ginowan City, and other popular Okinawan sweets are also available. We recommend the "set for two" that includes three kinds of sweets and two drinks. This is a great value menu item that many customers order alone as well as in pairs.
- CAFE Kakuman
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Kakuman Lacquerware, 1-54-1 Shuriyama Kawacho, Naha City, Okinawa MAP
11:00-17:00 (L.O.16:30)
Sunday
098-943-3810
MAP
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby



