This is a two-part review of Hoshinoya Okinawa, the pinnacle of Okinawan luxury where you can enjoy the sun, sea, and Ryukyu culture. In the first part, we will introduce the charm of Hoshinoya Okinawa, surrounded by the beautiful nature unique to Okinawa. In the second part, we will provide details about the stay in Utuimuchi.

"Hoshinoya Okinawa" Accommodation Review Part 2: Experience Ryukyu culture with a 3-night, XNUMX-day "Utuimuchi Stay" Click here

Surrounded by "Gusk Wall"
Extraordinary time in a special place

It's just over an hour's drive from Naha Airport. Once you enter Yomitan Village, turn off the main street and head towards the coast, and you'll see sugarcane fields. The wind swaying the fields of sugarcane is undoubtedly a wind from the sea. As you leave the sugarcane fields and approach the west coast of Yomitan Village, a series of castle-like concrete walls will come into view. Hoshinoya Okinawa is surrounded by this wall, which is about 1 meters high and stretches for about 4.5 km.

In Okinawa and other southern islands, there are many remains of fortresses and settlements called "Gusuku," surrounded by stone and earthworks. In a broad sense, "Gusuku" means "enclosing something precious," and the concept of Hoshinoya Okinawa is "Gusuku Residences." Inside the walls, named "Gusuku Wall," which resemble the stone walls surrounding a "Gusuku," precious time flows that is truly irreplaceable.

The reception area looks like the bottom of the ocean. This is the first step towards an extraordinary experience.

Welcoming you from the staff, you step into the reception area through the entrance and are greeted by a deep blue world. The contrast with the glittering tropical light that permeates the entrance further enhances the extraordinary feeling. The deep blue world, reminiscent of the deep sea, is silent and still, and the surface of the thick tree trunks that reach from floor to ceiling resembles coral. Even though it is quiet, you can almost feel as if your body is submerged in the sea and being rocked by the waves.

In a green paradise with colorful flowers,I took a deep breath

Once you leave the reception, you'll once again find yourself in a world of sparkling light. You'll travel along the Gusk Wall in an electric cart (the reception is outside the wall) and then enter the wall.

Hibiscus, bougainvillea, deigo, shell ginger, coconut, and Fukugi... Inside the Gusuku Wall was a green paradise where various Okinawan plants grew in clusters. The sweet scent of flowers drifted from nowhere. It made me want to take a deep breath.

It's amazing how the plants grow in a tropical climate, but on closer inspection, they don't seem to be growing uncontrollably. This green paradise was created by leaving it to nature, but with the help of specialized staff who took great care of it here and there.

All rooms on the lower floors have a sea view.

The guest rooms can be seen peeking out from behind the lush greenery. All the guest rooms are located on low floors in the building.

In fact, Hoshinoya Okinawa is located along a stretch of natural coastline that stretches for about 1 km, one of the few remaining in Okinawa. By lining the guest rooms on the lower floors along the coastline, the beautiful coastline has been preserved, and all 100 rooms are oceanfront, creating a wonderful environment.

The room lets in the ocean breeze. Bare feet feel great.

I took off my shoes and entered the guest room. I was shown into a room on the second floor called "Fushi." In the center of the nearly 2 square meter space was a large dining table, with the bedroom and living room on either side.

Both the sliding door at the entrance and the glass window facing the ocean on the opposite side are large openings that extend from floor to ceiling.

The glass doors are open and the moss screens are turned on. The breeze from the ocean in front blows through the room. We recommend going inside barefoot. The floor, called the "Doma Dining" floor, is cool and comfortable on bare feet, and the breeze brings a sense of freedom that is unique to a southern island.

The infinity pool overlooking the ocean is available 24 hours a day.

The pool at Hoshinoya Okinawa is an infinity pool that juts out into the sea. Because it is so close to the beach, you get the illusion that you are melting into the ocean when you dip in the pool. In the area close to the beach, you can hear the sound of the waves up close, and you can literally feel one with the sea. In the area where chairs are placed, the water is about 10cm deep, so you can dip just your toes in the water with your clothes on, and enjoy the view beyond the pool without having to change into a swimsuit. The atmosphere changes completely at night when the sun sets and the underwater lights are turned on, creating a fantastical atmosphere around the poolside.

The sound of the sanshin began to play. The surrounding trees, the wind, the sounds of the waves... It was a moment to feel the Okinawan nature itself, which has a different feel from the daytime.

Horse riding experience on the beach in the morning

Take a morning horseback ride along the beach. At Hoshinoya Okinawa, you can even experience this.

With the help of a staff member, I got on the saddle and was a little surprised at how high it was. After receiving a lecture on the basics of how to handle the horse, I grabbed the reins and set off for the beach. The horse was docile, so it walked gently and was not dangerous.

As you slowly move along the shore, your eye level is high enough to see far into the distance, and the breeze is pleasant and refreshing. But if you let your guard down, your horse might stop to peck at the grass growing on the beach. When that happens, you can gently push the horse's belly with your shin to get it moving again. The horse will then start walking again.

This program is called "Morning Calm Horseback Riding." The horseback riding time is about 20 minutes, but it's a little different from a stroll, and you can experience a sense of unity with nature.

Dinner will be at "Ryukyu Gastronomia ~Bellezza~". From "food is medicine" to healthy beauty

During the Ryukyu Dynasty, the idea of ​​"food is medicine" was brought to Okinawa from China, and this idea remained in Okinawa's daily life today as the dialect word "kusuimun," which means "to eat things that have medicinal properties."

Dinner at Hoshinoya Okinawa incorporates the essence of Italian cuisine into the idea of ​​Kusuimun and is called Ryukyu Gastronomia - Bellezza. As the name Bellezza means "beautiful" in Italian, the cuisine uses the power of Okinawan ingredients to lead to "beauty" of the body and mind, and is also rich in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.

One of the nine dishes on the summer menu, including dessert, is "Capellini with Passion Fruit and Giant Clams."

The umami of the sauce made from boiled giant clams and the refreshing sweetness and sourness of the passion fruit sauce go perfectly with the capellini, and the crunchy texture of the giant clams adds an accent. The passion fruit cup also enhances the tropical mood.

The pairing course, which mainly consisted of Italian wines and sometimes included Okinawa's unique awamori to match the dishes, enriched the dinner experience.

Start your day comfortably with Okinawan cuisine overflowing with the flavors of island vegetables and yushi tofu.

In the next, second part of the accommodation review, we will introduce our stay at "Utuimuchi". We will provide details of the program, such as [Bukubuku tea], [Special letter box], [Osaka dance appreciation], and [Ryukyu cuisine]. You can encounter many Ryukyu cultures everywhere at "Hoshinoya Okinawa". A two-night, three-day stay is a fulfilling time where you can feel the depth of Ryukyu culture firsthand.

"Hoshinoya Okinawa" Accommodation Review Part 2: Experience Ryukyu Culture with a 3-night, XNUMX-day "Utuimuchi Stay" Click here

◆What is Hoshinoya Okinawa, the pinnacle of Okinawan luxury?

Hoshinoya Okinawa is made up of low-rise guest rooms stretching for about 1 km along one of the few remaining natural coastlines in Okinawa. Of the 100 rooms in total, 4 are top-class suites, and 1 room is dog-friendly.

The vast grounds are functionally laid out with a variety of facilities, including a reception desk, a shop, a library, a lounge called "Tsunaino-yakata," spa facilities, and a dojo for learning Ryukyu karate.

Hoshino Resorts Banta Cafe, one of the largest seaside cafes, is open to non-guests and All Grill, which offers a wide variety of menu items such as steaks, seafood, and hamburgers, is also popular.

A 10-minute walk away is the village-run "Nirai Beach." Swimming in the natural ocean is a different kind of fun than swimming in a pool.

text by Sakurako Miyao