Illumi Banta: Okinawa’s Winter Seaside Lights

Where the ocean stretches towards the stars, a winter sanctuary emerges.
Imagine the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the shoreline, the air filled with the enticing aromas of a bustling marché and the captivating sounds of live jazz. The night invites a journey into the heart of Okinawan culture, a symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations.

Hoshino Resorts BANTA CAFE, the oceanside cafe boasting an overwhelmingly stunning view and scale, will hold the "Illumi Banta: Seaside Night Lights" night event from December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. The sea, cliffs, and lush greenery will be lit up with lights and illuminations, and original lanterns made of Ryukyu glass will sparkle on the beach. This year, marking the fifth anniversary of the event, lampshades arranged with traditional Okinawan woven grass will decorate the "Seaside Terrace" scattered along the promenade leading to the beach, creating a relaxing spot. Gaze at the sparkling sea under the gentle light. During the event period, in addition to offering a limited menu for seaside picnics, there will also be a marché where craft artists gather and live performances of historical Okinawan jazz, allowing you to spend a fulfilling night time enjoying Okinawan culture.

Background
Okinawa, where temperatures rarely drop below 15°C even in winter, is a warm region where you can comfortably spend time outdoors both day and night. This inspired us to create an event perfectly suited to the long winter nights, an opportunity to savor the slower pace and enchanting atmosphere, while experiencing the charm of Okinawa's nature deeply. 
"Illumi Banta" is a coined word combining "Iyumi Banta" (cliff for viewing fish) in the Okinawan dialect, which is the origin of the name of BANTA CAFE, and "illumination." You can spend a special time in a fantastical world of light where the natural beauty of the seaside shines.

Features of Illumi Banta: Seaside Night Lights

1. A fantastical illuminated world where natural beauty of the seaside shines
   In front of BANTA CAFE, situated on a cliff along the cove, lies a shallow sea surrounded by coral reefs. During the event period, the sea, white sand beach, and intersting shaped rocks sculpted by the waves will be illuminated, and the path leading from the cliff to the sea will be lit with gentle illuminations. Guests can play with the waves on the beach where the crashing waves shine white, stroll through the forest where lush, tropical plants grow, and enjoy their time outdoors in the comfortable winter weather.

2. NEW! Lights that evoke the warmth and nature of Okinawa 
   On the "Seaside Terrace," where gazebos are scattered along the promenade leading from the cliff top to the beach, "Mani and Kuba Lampshades" arranged with traditional Okinawan woven grass crafts will gently illuminate the area. Guests will enjoy the interplay of light and shadow filtering through the gaps between the leaves of the carefully woven palm tree with long leaves called "Mani" in Okinawa. In addition, traditional Okinawan folk crafts made from Kuba leaves will illuminate the surroundings with a gentle light. Bathed in the soft glow of handcrafted lanterns, the seaside scene inspires a feeling of peace.

3.  Upcycling empty bottles: Ryukyu glass lights illuminating the beachIn Okinawa, an island with limited resources, the idea of cherishing things and recycling resources has been ingrained since ancient times. In conjunction with this event, we collaborated with a glass workshop that produces "Ryukyu glass" using recycled glass as a raw material, and used empty soda bottles to create original lanterns. The lanterns are modeled after "fishing floats" used as fishing gear. More than 400 empty bottles have been upcycled to create 50 large and small "fishing float lanterns" that illuminate the white sand beach.

4. Immerse yourself in Okinawan culture with a marché and jazz: Weekly events
   Every Saturday during the event period, we will hold a "Night Light Marché" where Okinawan craft artists gather and the "Uchinaa Jazz Live" where one can enjoy historical jazz, alternating weekly. At the "Night Light Marché," craft artists who value Okinawan nature and culture will gather, and their warm works will be displayed, including candles with ocean motifs, wooden lampshades, and goldwork with Okinawan connections. At "Uchinaa Jazz Live," local musicians will perform jazz, which has a history of over 70 years in Okinawa. The live performance will be held on the large roof deck, where the sound of the waves from the sea can be heard, creating a session unique to BANTA CAFE with the overlapping sounds of the waves and the music.

   Night Light Marché
   Dates: December 14 and 28, 2024; January 11, February 8 and 22, 2025
   Time: 5PM-9PM
   Uchinaa Jazz Live
   Dates: December 7 and 21, 2024; January 4, February 1 and 15, 2025
   Time: 8PM - (approximately 30 minutes)
   Fee: Free

5. Romantic picnic on the night beach, grill dinner surrounded by friends
   
   Two gourmet options will be available for a limited time during the event. "Night Picnic Set" will be provided at BANTA CAFE at night. The menu offered in a basket is Okinawa's soul food, "pork and egg onigiri (rice ball)." We have luxuriously arranged it by adding roast beef and large shrimp. Guests can rent lanterns and beach mats, and enjoy a night picnic at their favorite location, from the white sand beach to the hilltop terrace. In addition, "Hoshino Resorts OLU Grill" adjacent to BANTA CAFE will offer a special menu, the "Umanchu Grill Dinner." "Umanchu" means "everyone" in the Okinawan language. This menu, perfect for the season when family and friends gather, features a large 1-meter long plate piled high with our specialty grilled dishes such as spare ribs and seafood. Wall-to-wall windows offer breathtaking views of the starlit sky and luminous ocean throughout the dining experience.

   Night Picnic Set
   Location: BANTA CAFE
   Time: 6PM-9:30PM (last order at 8:30PM)
   Price: 3,800 JPY (tax included) for 2 people
   Umanchu Grill Dinner
   Location: OLU Grill Time: 5PM-9PM (last order at 8PM)
   Price: 8,000 JPY (tax included) per person
   *Orders must be for 2 or more people.
   Reservations: Required via the official website

"Illumi Banta: Seaside Night Lights" Overview
Period: December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025 (excluding January 13-26)
Time:
 - Lighting and illuminations: From sunset to 21:30
 - Night cafe: Open at 18:00, last order for food at 20:30, last order for drinks at 21:00
Fee: Free admission with use of BANTA CAFE or OLU Grill
Note: May be canceled in case of inclement weather.