It refers to special regions where many people live long, healthy lives. Five areas worldwide are designated, including Okinawa. The diet and lifestyle of Blue Zone residents have gained global attention as keys to longevity. At Hoshinoya Okinawa, we aim to provide a richer lifestyle by offering insights into the Blue Zone through Okinawan living. During your stay, we will share practical health tips you can incorporate into your daily life.

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.

Moderate drinking in the Blue Zone is known to relieve stress and benefit the body. Guests can enjoy Awamori, Okinawa’s alcohol, while listening to the sounds of waves and Sanshin on the beach. The Sanshin, a three-stringed Japanese guitar, is native to Okinawa and Amami, and a predecessor to the Shamisen. Between songs, guests can chat with musicians, learning about Ryukyu music and Yomitan Village, offering a unique experience of connecting through traditional music.

In the Blue Zone, the spirit of helping each other and having a sense of purpose greatly contribute to health and longevity. At the Yomitan Village weaving studio, where the 600-year-old craft of Yomitanzan Hanaori has been passed down, you can learn about its history while experiencing the delicate technique of weaving patterns imbued with prayers. The way the tradition is preserved and handed down exemplifies the rich spirit of 'Yuimaru,' the Okinawan concept of mutual help.

The centenarians in the Blue Zone all move their bodies regularly. Moderate exercise is an essential habit for maintaining health. In addition to participating in 'Aquatic Exercise' in the outdoor pool, which can be comfortably used year-round, guests will join the 'Yuntaku Garden Tour,' where they can stroll through the facility's garden filled with tropical plants alongside the staff of HOSHINOYA Okinawa.

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.