Hoshino Resorts' Banta Cafe, a seaside cafe boasting an overwhelmingly spectacular view and scale, will host "Illumi Banta: Winter Seaside Lights," a fantastical night event where the starry sky and illuminations interweave in warm winter Okinawa, from December 13, 2025, to March 1, 2026, marking the 6th installment of the annual winter event. Lights and illuminations will be applied to the ocean, cliffs, and lush greenery spread out before you, and original lanterns made of Ryukyu glass will glow on the beach.
This year, a new area called "Tingara Terrace" will debut, where guests can enjoy the sparkle created by the night sky and the sound of the waves. This experience, unique to Banta Cafe for utilizing the natural seaside environment, allows visitors to fully enjoy the spectacular scenery woven by the magically glowing illuminations and nature. In addition, the event will feature limited menus for night picnics, a marché (market) with local craft artists, and live performances of historic Okinawan jazz, providing a fulfilling nighttime experience immersed in 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: Winter Seaside Lights
1. Dessert Time at "Tingara Terrace," where a sky full of stars descends <NEW>
The new "Tingara Terrace" area offers a contrast to the light-up, focusing on natural darkness and sparkle. Guests can relax in reclining chairs on a private beach, listening to the waves while admiring the starry sky, enhanced by delicate, planetarium-like lights on the white sand. To complement this debut, the "Kubakago Sweet Basket" is introduced. This folk-craft basket features built-in lighting and is filled with small Okinawan sweets, such as tankan-scented canelés and brown sugar tiramisu, perfect for starlit dessert time.
[Kubakago Sweet Basket]
・Time: 18:00 – 21:30 (Last order at 21:00)
・Price: 5,000 yen (tax included) for two people
2. Night picnic enjoyed while gazing at the lit-up seaside.
The fantastical "Floating Ball Lanterns" illuminating the white-sand beach were created by upcycling Banta Cafe's empty bottles into Ryukyu Glass, modeled after fishing floats. Guests enjoy the illuminated ocean surrounded by 50 of these lights. The "Night Picnic Set" is also sold, featuring Okinawan soul food, "Pork Tamago Onigiri," luxuriously arranged with roast beef and served in a basket. Purchasers can rent a lantern and beach mat to enjoy their picnic anywhere, from the beach to the hilltop terrace.
[Night Picnic Set]
・Time: 18:00 – 21:30 (Last order at 21:00)
・Price: 3,800 yen (tax included) for two people
3. Weekly Event to Immerse Yourself in Okinawan Culture with a Marche and Jazz
The event will alternate weekly between the "Night Lights Marche," featuring Okinawan craft artists, and the "Uchinā Jazz Live," offering historical jazz performances.
The "Night Lights Marche" brings together craft artists who value Okinawan nature and culture, showcasing warm works such as ocean-themed candles, wooden lampshades, and metalwork related to Okinawa.
At the "Uchinā Jazz Live," local musicians will perform jazz, which has a history of over 70 years in Okinawa. The live performances take place on the large roof deck, which is designed to incorporate the sounds of the waves from the sea. The merging of the wave sounds and the music creates a unique session only found at Banta Cafe.
"Illumi Banta: Winter Seaside Lights" Overview
Period: December 13, 2025 - March 1, 2026
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.
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