Period: December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
~ A 2-night, 3-day program where guests can experience the wisdom of their ancestors, passed down for 400 years, by making full use of Okinawan sugarcane, a special product of Okinawa, in handicrafts and meals ~
HOSHINOYA, a brand offering extraordinary experiences with unique themes at each of its resorts, announces the "Uji Stay" program at HOSHINOYA Okinawa, the pinnacle of Okinawan luxury embraced by the sea. From December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, guests can experience the bounty of Okinawa through sugarcane. Sugarcane, which is harvested in winter, has been called "Uji" and cherished since the Ryukyu Kingdom era. During their stay, guests will experience "Uji dyeing" using sugarcane leaves and "Uji papermaking" using sugarcane bagasse, as well as savor meals that incorporate the blessings of Okinawa, such as sugarcane, brown sugar, and seasonal ingredients. Guests will experience a rich time, connecting with the wisdom of their ancestors who have made full use of sugarcane.
Background
Sugarcane, which was introduced from China during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, was called "Uji" and has been used as an important resource to support the lives of Okinawan people. Okinawa boasts the highest production volume of sugarcane in Japan (*1), with its harvest season from December to March, and sugarcane fields stretch out near HOSHINOYA Okinawa. Brown sugar, made by squeezing the stem of sugarcane and boiling down the juice, is an industry that has been passed down from generation to generation in Okinawa for 400 years. Other parts of the sugarcane plant have also been utilized in various ways (*2), such as burning the bagasse (sugarcane pomace) to fuel brown sugar factories, using it as fertilizer for fields and feed for livestock, and using the leaves and ears for plant dyeing. This program was developed in hope of guests learning about the Okinawan people's way of thinking, which has valued cherishing things and utilizing limited resources without waste since ancient times, enriching their experience. Through activities such as "Uji dyeing" using sugarcane leaves and "Uji papermaking" using sugarcane bagasse, guests will experience the wisdom of their ancestors from ancient times.
*1 Okinawa Prefecture official website
*2 Japan Livestock Industry Promotion Organization
Features of "Uji Stay"
1. "Uji Dyeing" with Sugarcane Leaves
Okinawa has a long tradition of plant dyeing, using plants to dye fabrics. "Uji dyeing," which uses sugarcane leaves left over from brown sugar production, is one of these methods and has been cherished by the Okinawan people. During their stay, guests will experience "Uji dyeing" at HOSHINOYA Okinawa's kitchen studio, "Yugafu Kitchen," starting with the preparation of the dye. Over the three days of their stay, they will boil the plants in a pot and dye a stole. The stole to be dyed is made of original fabric created from sugarcane bagasse. The color of "Uji dyeing" changes with the growth of the sugarcane; in winter, when the harvest season arrives, it dyes a soft green color. Guests will have a rich experience through handicrafts and culture born in Okinawa.
2. Enjoy the Flavors Unique to a Sugarcane Producing Area
During their stay, guests will fully enjoy the blessings of Okinawa and seasonal ingredients. Dinner is a brown sugar hot pot, where guests can enjoy plenty of seasonal Okinawan vegetables with brown sugar called "Mīzātā," which is made immediately after the sugarcane harvest. Brown sugar is rich in nutrients such as minerals and vitamins (*3), and adding it to the pot enhances the depth of flavor. As an aperitif, a cocktail of Awamori brewed with brown sugar yeast will be offered, and for dessert, guests can enjoy rum ice cream made from sugarcane. Breakfast is a menu where guests can savor sugarcane and brown sugar in various ways, such as tuna marinated in brown sugar sauce, served with fluffy sugarcane rice and "Jījiki," a pickle made with brown sugar and salt.
*3 Okinawa Prefecture Brown Sugar Cooperative Cabinet Office website
3. Making Full Use of Precious Resources
When brown sugar is made by squeezing sugarcane stalks, the remaining bagasse has been considered unnecessary. In this program, guests will create original postcards by "Uji papermaking" using the bagasse that would normally be discarded. Before the papermaking experience, guests will tour the garden within HOSHINOYA Okinawa with the staff and harvest plants such as shell ginger leaves and clove flowers. The soft-textured Uji postcards will be colorfully decorated with the harvested plants, and after completing the postcards, guests will write down their travel memories in their rooms. Guests will spend a relaxing and peaceful time, experiencing the wisdom of their ancestors who used everything without waste.
Contributing to SDGs by Connecting 400 Years of History to the Future
Brown sugar made from sugarcane is an industry that has been passed down from generation to generation in Okinawa's 400-year history. In addition to consumption as brown sugar, new industries for a new era have been born, such as the production of rum from sugarcane and the creation of fabrics using bagasse. Hoshino Resorts believes that CSV management, which balances economic and social value, is important, and views SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as a framework for promoting CSV management, promoting various initiatives at each facility. "Uji dyeing" using sugarcane leaves and "Uji papermaking" using sugarcane stem residue in this project aim to contribute to SDG Goal 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production."
Example Stay Schedule
Day 1
15:00 Check-in
16:00 Uji dyeing: Dye preparation
18:00 Dinner: Dining (separate fee)
Day 2
8:00 Breakfast: "Ryukyu Breakfast with the Scent of Sugarcane"
10:00 Uji dyeing: Dyeing experience
15:00 Harvesting plants in the garden of HOSHINOYA Okinawa Uji papermaking
19:00 Dinner: "Brown Sugar Hot Pot"
Day 3
10:00 Finishing Uji dyeing and papermaking
12:00 Check-out
"Uji Stay" Overview
Period: December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
Price: 60,000 JPY per person (tax and service charge included, accommodation fee separate)
Includes: Uji dyeing, papermaking workshop, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
Capacity: 1 group per day (up to 4 people)
Reservations: Accepted up to 2 weeks in advance on the official website
Remarks: Ingredients and menus may change depending on availability.
Best Rate Guaranteed
