Okinawa Blue Zone Stay at HOSHINOYA Okinawa

Learning the secrets behind longevity from one of the five Blue Zone areas, Okinawa


Okinawa Blue Zone Stay is an all-year program at HOSHINOYA Okinawa. Okinawa is one of the five “Blue Zone*” areas, selected as a place where many people have a long and healthy life. As one of the only Blue Zones in Asia, this program aims to share the secrets behind longevity by incorporating habits practiced by those living a long life. In addition to being comforted by the sounds of the Sanshin (three-stringed Japanese guitar) performed by local musicians, a visit to a weaving studio, Yomitanza Hanaui, will be included for a wholesome stay program that allows one to connect with the people who cherish and pass down historical cultures and experiences of the region. 
＊Dan Buettner (2012). The Blue Zones, Second Edition: 9 Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest

9 lessons for health and longevity 
1. Continuation of moderate exercise
2. Reduction of calorie intake to about 80% full
3. Eating plant-based foods
4. Consumption of red wine in moderate amounts
5. Having a clear sense of purpose
6. Slowing down life
7. Having faith
8. Prioritizing family
9. Connecting with people
＊Dan Buettner (2012). The Blue Zones, Second Edition

Background
Blue Zone is a term that refers to a special area where many healthy and long-lived people live. Only five regions have been designated from around the world and Okinawa has been selected as one of them. The diets and habits of people living in the blue zone are attracting attention worldwide, for their secrets behind good health and longevity. With the hopes that the lives of people who are worried about their health and longevity can become healthy and prosperous, this program incorporated the characteristics of those living in Okinawa. We aim to tell the stories of good health and longevity through an enjoyable stay at HOSHINOYA Okinawa, built along the coastlines of a pristine ocean.

Characteristic 1: Passing down traditional craftsmanship of a history of 600 years
Passing down traditional culture, the spirit of helping each other, and having a purpose in life are all factors that are found in the Blue Zone, and are said to be a large contributor to good health and longevity. To deepen this learning, we visit the Yomitan Village Traditional Crafts Center in Yomitan Village, not far from HOSHINOYA Okinawa. At Yomitanza Hanaui, a weaving studio, its 600-year-old history will be learned, and experience the delicate techniques of weaving patterns with prayers. The way the tradition is preserved and handed down is the epitome of Yuimaru, the spirit of mutual help in the dialect of Okinawa. 

Characteristic 2: Loosen up to the sounds of Japanese guitar, Sanshin, and relax with an evening cocktail at the beach
Moderate drinking leads to stress relief in the Blue Zone and it is one of the habits that is said to be good for the body. During this program, guests can enjoy cocktails using Awamori, rice alcohol native to Okinawa, whilst enjoying the sounds of waves and Sanshin from the pristine beach un in front of the facility. Sanshin is a Japanese guitar, that uses only "three strings," which is the literal translation of the word. It is said to be native to Okinawa and Amami Island and is the precursor of Shamisen. In between songs, guests can have conversations with the musicians, including stories about Ryukyu music and Yomitan Village, an experience of "connecting with people" through traditional music.

Characteristic 3: Savoring a special hot pot dinner with vegetables
The diet of those in the Blue Zone is characterized by the use of plant-based foods and legumes. The dinner and breakfast menu, limited to this plan uses plenty of vegetables and legumes familiar in Okinawa to learn about the secrets of good health and longevity. For breakfast, galette topped with vegetables, herbs, and tofu. Dinner is a hot-pot meal with vegetables and traditional Okinawan Yushi tofu in a seafood broth. Guests can savor their meals in the privacy and comfort of their own rooms. 

Characteristic 4: Spending a slow time outdoors and appreciating nature
Healthy and long-lived people in the Blue Zone are all physically active. Moderate exercise is one of the essential habits for maintaining good health. During this program, guests will participate in aquatic exercises in the infinity pool, allowing the body to move with ease. In addition, guests can participate in the Yuntaku Garden Tour, a tour of the garden on the premises with tropical plants by the staff of HOSHINOYA Okinawa building appreciation towards nature and how one co-exists with its presence. The kitchen garden has herbs that can be used as a tea to enjoy the passage of time, which will feel as if it has slowed down. 

Future Developments
We believe that by learning about the Blue Zone, guests will not only aim for longevity but will also get hints for a better way of life. In a time where 100 years of life is the standard, improving quality of life is an important theme in today’s world. With the hopes to create opportunities for self-discovery for a happy life, HOSHINOYA Okinawa will continue to provide experiences that are extraordinary as well as creating and keeping connections between people, communities, and nature.

Program Supervisor: Masashi Arakawa, Ph.D.
Professor and Dean for the Center for Health and Wellness Tourism Research, Graduate School of Tourism Sciences at the University of Ryukyus
A leading expert in wellness tourism, who pursues a wide range of research including research on lifestyles and foods for good health and longevity, thalassotherapy and the development of a wellness tourism model that utilizes local resources.

Example Stay Schedule
<Day 1>
3:00 pm Check-in
5:30 pm Dinner *separate charges apply
7:00 pm Live Sanshin performance with cocktails 

<Day 2>
8:00 am Special galette breakfast 
10:00 am Aquatic exercise at the infinity pool
2:00 pm Weaving experience at a traditional crafts center in Yomitan Village
6:00 pm Special hot pot dinner with vegetables and Yushi tofu

<Day 3>
8:00 am Breakfast 
10:00 am Tour of Yuntaku Garden 
12:00 pm Check-out

Okinawa Blue Zone Stay at a glance
Time Period: All year
Length of Stay: 2 nights and 3 days
Price: 72,000 JPY per person (includes tax and service charge) *excludes accommodation fee
Price Includes: live performance of Sanshin and cocktails at the beach, 2-time breakfast, 1-time dinner, aquatic exercise, Weaving experience at a traditional crafts center
Number of persons: 1 group of a maximum of 4 people per day
Reservation: Required at least 2 weeks in advance
Others:
・Contents of the program may be subject to change depending on the weather.
・Ingredients and menu of meals may be subject to change depending on season and availability.

Overview of HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Address: 474 Gima, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa, 904-0327
Number of Rooms: 100
Check-in: 3:00 pm/Check-out: 12:00 pm
Price: 136,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals)
Directions: Approximately 1 hour by car from Naha Airport

About HOSHINOYA Brand
Luxury hotel embodying the true characteristics of land, history, and culture
HOSHINOYA is an accommodation with distinct themes, conceptualized from each location’s land, history, and culture. Woven into these distinct themes is our attention to detail in every aspect from the design to hospitality; contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind world of HOSHINOYA. Enrich the heart with the epiphanies of travel through a unique stay experience.

About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts was first established as a Japanese inn/ryokan in 1914 in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture before it began the operation of other resorts in Japan. Today, it has evolved into a highly influential hotel management company and is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino. Providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi, Japanese-style hospitality, the company has expanded rapidly out of Karuizawa since 2001 and now operates more than 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan with one of the following categories: luxury hotel brand “HOSHINOYA,” hot spring ryokan brand “KAI,” countryside resort hotel brand “RISONARE,” city tourism hotel brand “OMO,” free-spirited hotel brand “BEB,” or other unique lodgings.