Forgetting time on Taketomi Island through relaxation and concentration of the five senses 
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HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island, a luxury resort in the Yaeyama archipelago of Okinawa, will be offering Soothing Shell Ginger Stay from 1 March to 31 May 2022. This springtime program aims to relax and refresh the mind and body through spa treatments using shell ginger and art session to soothe the mind. Shell ginger is written as "moon peach" in Japanese characters and its flower blooms only in spring once a year. The fresh and calming scent of this herb can be enjoyed during bath soaks, naps, spa treatments, and meals. An art session using crayons made with Shell ginger and other natural products can be experienced as well. All senses are used and heightened as one forgets the idea of time on the island of Taketomi.
Background
The warm spring when plants start to sprout is called urizun in Taketomi Island, and it is the season when the flowers of shell ginger bloom. The people of the island have made use of shell gingers in their daily lives, such as using it as a natural insect repellent by making use of its aroma and composition and making a traditional confectionery called khasamuchi that is wrapped in the leaves and steamed to transfer its aroma. Urizun is the only time when the flowers of shell ginger bloom so the fresh energy of life can be felt. The change of seasons from winter to spring, where the temperature difference is large, is a time when the disturbance of autonomic nerves tends to cause sickness. This stay program was developed with the hopes that guests can spend a relaxing time at HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island while adjusting their mind and body through experiences that use shell ginger, full of vitality.
Characteristics of Soothing Shell Ginger Stay
1) Resting where the aroma of shell ginger drifts through the breeze
The change of season can cause disturbance of the autonomic nerves. In order to relieve tiredness of the mind and body caused by this disturbance, taking a bath and nap using shell ginger can lead to a time of relaxation. Shell ginger is a type of herb and its scent is spicy yet fresh and slightly sweet. For the bath, shell ginger harvested on the first day and dried overnight under the shade will be used. By drying it overnight, the fresh scent turns into a milder, more relaxing scent. Once it is soaked into hot water, the aroma will rise with the steam. During the day, a nap inside the guest room which adopted the traditional architecture of the island is encouraged. Treat yourself to a nap as you lay down on a shell ginger pillow made by weaving dried leaves and stems. Guests can relax as they are surrounded by the fragrance of shell ginger during rest.
2) Inspire your senses with crayon sketches
Sketch using crayons made from shell ginger and other natural ingredients. The crayons do not use synthetic pigments so the colors have a gentle and warm characteristic. Focus on the appearance and vivid colors of the plants that may be overlooked when spending time in a bustling city. This is an experience to inspire your senses such as your fingertips and eyes, which may have been dormant during daily life. A moment of focus and completion of work can make one feel refreshed and accomplished.
3) Heal the mind and body with a spa treatment
Any fatigue that has accumulated can be relieved during the spa treatment. Stiffness in the mind and body can be softened through rhythmic treatment and the use of oil containing essential oil of shell ginger. It will be a time to rest the body from all the movements during a busy life and allow the whole body to relax.
4) Enjoying a carefree breakfast
Without an alarm clock in the rooms, guests can wake up naturally, and call when hungry to have breakfast in their rooms whenever they want to. By eating when you are hungry, guests are relieved from the demands of daily life and are not bound by time. To balance your mind and body, it is important to listen to your body and feel the movement in your mind. For breakfast on the second day, a set meal with shell ginger chazuke (rice over tea or broth) is served. Shell ginger tea is poured over fish steamed with shell ginger, small dishes using seasonal ingredients, and rice. By pouring hot shell ginger tea, the fragrant scent will stimulate appetite. The shell ginger tea can be customized by mixing it with Okinawan lime, shikwasa, and herbs such as island black pepper and lemongrass so that the flavors can be adjusted based on the physical condition and mood of the day. Breakfast on the third day is a sandwich where bread and ingredients of your choice can be combined. Bread or bagels with island herbs and vegetables can be combined with ingredients familiar to islanders such as chicken ham with the scent of shell ginger, green papayas, island carrot, shrimp, etc. Breakfast can be ignored or quick but here, guests can spend a calm morning whilst taking in different local and seasonal ingredients of the island.
Soothing Shell Ginger Stay in a glance
Period: 1 March – 31 May 2022
Price: 64,130 JPY per person (includes tax and service charge
Price includes: harvest of shell ginger, shell ginger bath, rental of shell ginger pillow, art session, spa treatment (1 time), breakfast (2 times)
Available: 1 person per day
Reservation: required 2 weeks in advance
About HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island
Address: Taketomi, Yaeyama, Okinawa 907-1101
Number of Rooms: 48
Check-in: 3:00 pm/Check-out: 12:00 pm
Price: Starting from 112,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals) *Standard reservations from 2 nights or more.
Directions: Approximately 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Port, transportation available from Taketomi Port
Website: https://hoshinoya.com/taketomijima/en/
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.
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