Ultimate Luxury from the Coastlines of Okinawa
There was once a time in Okinawa when residences and castles of high people were all protected by Gusuku stonewalls. HOSHINOYA Okinawa is almost an alternate universe, which reflects the answer to the question, "What if we continued to live with Gusuku walls? How would it have affected lives in Okinawa?"
Although there is no definitive meaning to "Gusuku," where there are different theories as to who and how it was used, it refers to an area enclosed by a stonewall. Regardless of the exact meaning, the rich culture of Okinawa was developed within the Gusuku, and at HOSHINOYA Okinawa, the Gusuku stonewalls were inspired by this local architecture, creating one with a height of 4.5m. Its role was to protect those within the walls back in the day, but now, it will be a symbol of the protection of precious experiences at HOSHINOYA Okinawa.
Protected by the Gusuku stonewalls, HOSHINOYA Okinawa is one of the most luxurious HOSHINOYA properties. Located in the center of Okinawa Island is the coastal village of Yomitan, a seaside resort composed of a room with panoramic ocean scenery, a pool that can be enjoyed throughout the year, and an activity studio central to different activities.
Message from Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO of Hoshino Resorts
At Hoshino Resorts, we see our purpose as providing resort experiences that fully immerse guests in the unique qualities of a local area. Although I am pleased with the number of guests who enjoy our hospitality every year, there are still many goals left for us to achieve. One such goal is to establish a resort on Okinawa Island, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. This is why this project in the village of Yomitan is so important to us. In planning this project, we sought to answer one question in particular: When there are already so many hotels and resorts on the island, what is it that we can uniquely offer? We concluded that we needed to provide both an Okinawan experience and a Japanese beach resort experience that no other establishment offers - and that we needed to do so without too heavily relying on the island's considerable natural charms. HOSHINOYA Okinawa promises a stay that feels like having a home by the sea. It is where crashing waves echo in guest villas, where one can spend hours just looking out upon the sea, where one can enjoy a meal in their very own indoor patio before going for a walk in the gardens, and then, later, enjoying a swim or taking a nap. By the end of your stay, we hope you will feel as if you have always lived by the beach.
Design & Architecture
Architecture– Rie Azuma, Azuma Architect & Associates
Out of all the HOSHINOYA resorts Azuma has worked on, none have been as close to the sea as HOSHINOYA Okinawa. Built along the coastline in the village of Yomitan, the resort offers guest villas, either standalone or divided into two suites, with breathtaking views of the ocean - its rich blue hues complemented by the vibrant coral reefs that spread below its surface. To create a resort experience that provides freedom and flexibility in how the guest spends their time, we designed every villa and suite around an indoor patio that serves as the guest's center of activity. Featuring a long table combined with a kitchen counter, this is the first room the guest will visit upon entering their villa or suite. It is a place for dining, enjoying drinks, chatting with friends or family, or spending time alone for work. There are bedrooms with works of traditional Okinawan dye artisans and public areas that reflect life at a resort. Azuma hopes that guests will enjoy this new HOSHINOYA, located right in front of the ocean.
Landscape – Hiroki Hasegawa, Studio on site
HOSHINOYA Okinawa occupies a narrow strip of land along the coastline. In designing the overall aesthetic of the resort, we started with the idea of "what if there was Gusuku stonewalls still standing along the coastline?" The outcome of this question is for guest villas and buildings to stand right by the coast, while the premises are surrounded by a tall modernist wall modeled after gusuku stonewalls and to convey it as a self-contained space of pure relaxation where guests will find everything they need.
The first mission was to complete the idea of Gusuku and to incorporate the function to protect through the landscape of the property. The perforations of the wall are inspired by the traditional designs of Okinawa, and separates the inside from the outside world without completely shutting out the other. Another concept we tackled was the idea of creating a new coastline. We wanted to avoid diminishing the original scenery, so we built the guest buildings low and positioned them in a pattern winding along the coastline, allowing the structures to blend in with the environment.
Guest Rooms
Ultimate luxury can be experienced through the luxury of gazing at the ocean as you live your life in Okinawa. Guest villas, buildings, and public spaces are nestled in and placed along the pristine white beach, where all 100 rooms have an ocean view. No matter where you are in your room, you will be able to feel the ocean next to you as the salty winds pass by, and this is ensured by the fact that there are no buildings exceeding two stories. The rooms were carefully constructed so guests could spend time in Okinawa comfortably. The entrance leads to an indoor patio, providing the guests with various options. For example, a long table equipped with kitchen amenities allows guests to enjoy a private dinner party with meals prepared in advance by the chef in which they can finish off the cooking any time they want. The main wall in the bedroom is a work of traditional Okinawan stenciled tie-dye art depicting Okinawa's plants, animals, and scenes of daily life. The longer guests stay and begin to accustom themselves to this relaxing Okinawan way of life, the more they might begin to see themselves in these pictures.
Tida Suite
Only four out of the 100 rooms, this Tida suite is the HOSHINOYA brand's finest suite for a luxurious and special stay. The private villa features two bedrooms, a year-round heated private pool, and an outdoor terrace with sofas. In addition, there is direct access to the pristine beach from the villa, and a wide range of exclusive Tida services are available, including cultural experiences dating back to the Ryukyu Dynasty and the serving of alcoholic beverages tailored to seaside scenes.
Food & Beverages
Ryukyu Gastronomia ー Bellezza
An innovative course meal that seamlessly combines beauty and food. Drawing inspiration from the “Kusuimun” ethos in the “Ishoku Dougen” philosophy assimilated through maritime trade during the Ryukyu Dynasty era, this course meal focuses on “Bellezza” (Italian for beauty). Kusuimun refers to the belief that a balanced diet is akin to medicine, a notion still prevalent in Okinawa. This new themed course meal was developed through tireless experimentation of combining Okinawan ingredients nurtured by the subtropical climate with the unique culinary culture cultivated during the Ryukyu Dynasty era and a rich tapestry of cooking techniques from various regions of Italy. It allows you to experience the distinct food culture and terroir while putting you on the path to unparalleled beauty and well-being.
Time: 5:00 - 8:30 pm (last entry)
Price of the course meal: 24,200 JPY per person (includes tax and service charge)
Executive Chef: Shigeru Masai
In 2001, he became the head chef at RISONARE Yatsugatake in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture. He is devoted to perfecting his culinary skills to bring out the best in ingredients and introducing discerning diners to “unique local ingredients.” In 2021, he was appointed the position of head chef at HOSHINOYA Okinawa, where he works hard daily to unleash the potential of Okinawan ingredients.
Gathering Service: New Level of Comfort for Resort Dining
In the center of every guest villa or suite is an indoor patio, which also functions as a private dining room where guests can enjoy a meal enveloped in the refreshing ocean breeze and the relaxing sound of crashing waves. A long table provides the perfect space for setting a meal - whether alone, with a spouse or partner, or with friends or family. Guests can pre-order their meals from a variety of options, which are prepared in advance and then placed in the patio refrigerator. The kitchen can be used any time the guests wish to and enjoy it at their own leisurely pace while gazing at the ocean view framed by the patio window.
Special Facilities
Activity Studio
The Activity Studio is a flat building with red brick roofs and a Japanese-style porch. This is a place where guests can gather and use it on different occasions, whether to enjoy a conversation or stretch out their bodies. There are different activities to be hosted at this facility. As you open the windows, a field stretches out, and beyond it lies the sea. Feel the winds of Okinawa as you feel liberated from the city.
Pool
All-year temperature controlled, infinity pool for any season. A 10cm deep pool with seating areas inside the water can welcome guests for a casual poolside nap or a read. An infinity pool projects out over the cliff and towards the ocean, with a depth of 140cm and 40m in length. Both the ocean and the sky become one, so it is the best place in the resort to watch the sunset.
BANTA CAFE
As one of Japan's largest seaside cafes, this cozy space allows one to look at the picturesque view in an extraordinary space surrounded by seaside rocks. Try the gelato and shaved ice made from ingredients native to Okinawa or other light meals, such as hot dogs. Everything on the menu is also available for take-out.
OLU Grill
Situated next to the BANTA CAFE, OLU Grill offers authentic grilled dishes, which you can enjoy as you gaze out into the horizon. Have a thick, juicy hamburger for lunch, and grilled steak or seafood for dinner, rich with the aroma of the firewood. Kid's menu and various desserts are available, making this a great place for family or group outings.
Island Experiences
Morning Horse Riding
Follow the footsteps of what used to be a vast horse ground managed by the Ryukyu Kingdom through a horse riding experience held during the morning of Yomitan village. Walking gracefully on the beach in front of HOSHINOYA Okinawa while looking out into the clear blue ocean and feeling the salty winds will give a new perspective to relaxation.
・Price: 6,050 JPY per person (with tax and service charge)
・Location: Beach in front of HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Island Lesson: Ryukyu Karate
Karate originates from Okinawa, where it is a mix of ancient Ryukyu, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts. The core of Karate lies in the type and model of movement, and this lesson incorporates not only body but also mind work.
・Price: 4,840 JPY per person (with tax and service charge)
・Location: Activity Studio
Overview of HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Address: 474 Gima, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa, 904-0327
Number of Rooms: 100
Facilities: Spa, Pool, Shop, Dining Room, Activity Studio
Check-in: 3:00 pm/Check-out: 12:00 pm
Price: Starts from 136,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals)
Directions: About an hour 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.
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