HOSHINOYA, a luxury hotel brand that provides extraordinary experiences with its distinctive local themes, is pleased to announce a special program "Miinishi* Island Time" at HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island from September 1 to November 30, 2025. HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island weaves together the island’s rich nature and culture into a modern luxury resort, and this special program invites guests to fully immerse themselves in Taketomi Island's vibrant autumn culture. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy music only performed during special ceremonies, savor a unique autumn-exclusive breakfast, and learn about the island’s unique agricultural calendar.
*Miinishi is an island term for the "north wind" that signals the arrival of autumn.
The Autumn Culture of Taketomi Island
Life on Taketomi Island is deeply intertwined with prayers to the gods of nature. The island holds 22 ceremonial events annually to pray for bountiful harvests and the prosperity of future generations. Formed from uplifted coral reefs, the island’s soil is thin, making it difficult to cultivate crops. This has led to a culture devoted to prayers for an abundant harvest and it has been preserved with reverence over generations. The autumn season, in particular, is a crucial time for planting seeds and praying for a good harvest, and it is when most ceremonies take place. The dates for these events are determined by Taketomi Island’s unique calendar, which is based on the lunar and agricultural calendars. In addition to the island’s most significant event “Tanadui Festival”, other important ceremonies are held in the autumn. This program has been thoroughly developed to offer an authentic and immersive experience unique to the season.
A Special Welcome to Begin Island Life
A stay at HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island during this period begins with a storytelling session about island history and daily life, led by a staff member deeply versed in Taketomi's culture. Guests will then visit the on-site farm to experience the unique agricultural practices based on the island’s traditional calendars and learn traditional prayers and wisdom. Afterward, they will follow a map to their villa, walking through the quintessential Okinawan scenery of red-tiled roofs and white sandy paths. This experience evokes the sense of embarking on island life, marking the beginning of a truly extraordinary stay.
Autumn-themed "Yunagi no Uta" (Evening Calm Songs)
"Yunagi no Uta" Special Autumn Performance
A special performance of "Yunagi no Uta" will be hosted by local singers and dancers who perform at the Tanadui Festival. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy unique songs related to autumn ceremonies and special dedicatory performing arts typically seen only during the two days of the Tanadui Festival. This exclusive seasonal experience allows guests to fully feel the atmosphere of the island's rituals.
Date: Tuesdays from September 1 to November 30, 2025
Price: Free
Time: 4:45 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
Location: Yuntaku Lounge
Crafting a Five-Grain Amulet with a Sacred Prayer
A Precious Amulet Reflecting the Spirit of Taketomi Island
Guests can weave an amulet with threads dyed with local island plants on a traditional loom, which was crafted approximately 100 years ago and used to weave ceremonial garments. Inside the amulet is a small bottle filled with five grains associated with the ceremonies and salt to ward off evil. These precious amulets have been blessed by a Kantsukasa, a ritual priestess, allowing guests to connect with the spiritual heart of Taketomi Island.
Date: Tuesdays and Saturdays from September 1 to November 30, 2025
Price: 4,000 JPY per person (includes tax and service charge)
Time: 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Location: Gathering House
Capacity: One group of up to two people per session
Reservation: Required by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the activity
Special "Tanadui Festival" Breakfast to Savor Traditional Flavors
Tanadui Festival Breakfast
Fermented Rice Drink
This unique breakfast features ingredients associated with the Tanadui Festival, an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. The meal includes rice mixed with millet, a staple of the festival, along with traditional dishes like Pintaku, a dish of garlic and octopus. To begin the meal, guests are served a fermented rice drink, an arrangement of Mishaku, the sacred sake offered during rituals. This auspicious and energizing breakfast features a variety of traditional dishes.
Date: September 1 to November 30, 2025
Price: 4,961 JPY per person (includes tax and service charge)
Time: 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (Last order 9:30 a.m.)
Location: Dining Room
An Evening Drink Set with Traditional Rituals for an Autumn Evening
Ceremonial rituals
Autumn Evening Drink Set
A special evening drink set inspired by ceremonial food. Taketomi Island is a remote land with no mountains or rivers, making rice cultivation difficult. Grains like millet have historically been highly valued, and millet was once used to make awamori, a traditional distilled spirit. Guests can enjoy island-rooted food and spirits while performing the same ceremonial rituals as the islanders, which is a unique opportunity to experience Taketomi Island's rich drinking culture.
Date: September 1 to November 30, 2025
Price: 4,000 JPY per set (includes tax and service charge)
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Yuntaku Lounge
Capacity: 8 people
Reservation: Required by 5:00 p.m. the day before
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