Hop on a 3-hour plane ride from Tokyo, and you’ll arrive at Okinawa, Japan’s tropical island paradise. Okinawa’s lush landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and relaxed pace of life offer a side of Japan unlike anything you have experienced on the mainland.
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Beyond its stunning scenery, Okinawa offers a unique cultural experience rooted in centuries-old traditions. It’s a perfect destination to relax, unwind and enjoy a slower pace of life.
The island of Okinawa is home to many hotels and beach resorts, but those looking for the perfect mix of cultural experience and a modern luxurious stay will find it at HOSHINOYA Okinawa.
Combining Okinawan heritage with modern elegance, this oceanfront resort offers a unique blend of tranquillity, thoughtful design, and unforgettable experiences that perfectly complement Okinawa’s laid-back charm.
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About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts is a renowned Japanese hospitality group with over 100 years of history, known for blending luxury with cultural authenticity and environmental sustainability. Founded in 1914, the brand has grown to represent a diverse range of properties, including traditional ryokans (KAI), modern city hotels (OMO), and unique themed accommodations across Japan and select international locations. Each Hoshino property is thoughtfully designed to honour its local culture, traditions, and natural surroundings, offering guests an immersive and memorable experience.
Hoshinoya Resorts is a flagship brand under Hoshino Resorts with 8 locations throughout Japan and beyond. Over the years, the brand has become synonymous with high-end luxury and elegance. These properties are designed to blend modern comfort and cultural richness, often set in stunning natural locations. Hoshinoya resorts emphasize serene environments, architectural harmony with their surroundings, and tailored guest experiences that showcase local heritage.
About Hoshinoya Okinawa
Located in the centre of Okinawa Island, in the coastal village of Yomitan, Hoshinoya Okinawa seaside resort is one of the most luxurious HOSHINOYA properties. The hotel sits within the 4.5m tall Gusuku Walls, a unique design feature and cultural reference that creates a striking first impression and preserves the exclusive experience inside the resort.
Hoshinoya Okinawa is situated on a narrow strip of land along the coastline and is designed in a way that allows each one of the 100 guest rooms to enjoy panoramic ocean views, bringing the tropical feel inside. The low profile of the buildings and lush gardens that surround the property allow the buildings to fully blend in with the environment.
We loved strolling through the gardens in the mornings and evenings during our stay. The peaceful environment was a balm to the soul, and the beautiful setting meant that we didn’t need to leave the resort to enjoy the beauty of the island.
In addition to guest rooms, the property has a beautiful pool with plenty of sun chairs and deep and shallow sections suitable for families and adults. The inifinity pool overlooking the ocean offers incredible sunset views, but is also a lovely place to hang out throughout the day.
The Activity Studio is another unique feature of Hoshinoya Okinawa. The building gives a nod to traditional Japanese porch design style and offers a gathering space for complimentary activities hosted here through the day.
The on-site Belleza Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with set meals and an a-la-carte menu, serving Okinawan cuisine with a touch of Sicilian influence.
The Rooms
There are 4 room types at Hoshinoya Okinawa, ranging from Standard Oceanfront Suite – ideal for couple, to the Oceafront Villa, offering the most space and amenities for longer stays or families.
Fushi (Deluxe Oceanfront Suite)
We stayed in the Fushi Suite, outfitted with 2 King Size beds, a spacious en-suite, a long dining table with a minibar/coffee station in the dining room area, and a traditional Japanese low table seating area. The suite offered large windows and a little balcony with a stunning ocean view.
The room was fully stocked with modern amenities, such as a Bluetooth speaker, humidifying air purifier, Nespresso machine, electric kettle, mini bar, safe, and blackout curtains.
Bath amenities went beyond the ordinary, offering additional luxuries like face masks, bath salts and a 5-stage facial cleansing set. Pyjamas and resort wear were high quality and comfortable enough to lounge in throughout our stay.
The other rooms at the resort include:
- Tin (Oceanfront Standard Suite): At 64sqm this is the smallest suite at Hoshinoya Okinawa. It features a King Size bed (or 2 Twins), and en-suite bathroom, a small dining area and a balcony and is a perfect options for a couple.
- Haru (Oceanfront Balcony Suite): The Haru Suite offers similar features and amenities to the Fushi Suite but prioritizes outdoor space with an oceanfront balcony over the indoor seating area. The suite can accommodate up to 4 people.
Tida (Oceanfront Villa): Tida Villa is the most lavish of all the rooms. It features a spacious bedroom, living room and dining areas, as well as a private pool and a wooden terrace that leads directly to the beach.
The Food
There are 3 restaurants on site at Hoshinoya Okinawa.
Belleza Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on Okinawan specialities with a Sicilian twist. For breakfast, guests can choose between a Ryukyu Breakfast, a Sicilian Breakfast, or a Special Fish Breakfast. Dinner can be enjoyed a la carte or with a set-course meal.
Our 8-Course Set Meal at Belleza was one of the most exquisite dining experiences we’ve had in Japan. The dishes offered a unique combination of Okinawan specialities with a zest of Sicilian flavours and techniques. Artfully plated and made with only the freshest local ingredients, the dishes were bursting with interesting flavours and textures. It was a 3-hour dining affair paired perfectly with carefully selected wines from Sicily and beyond.
Banta Cafe – offers smoothies, light snacks, drinks and gelato in a picturesque setting overlooking the seaside rocks.
Situated next to Banta Cafe, Olu Grill Restaurant is a great option for lunch or dinner. It offers cliffside dining and delicious meat grilled over a wood fire. Steak and seafood are some of the popular choices here, but we opted to get a burger—the first one we’d had in a month!
We also got to try the Japanese Set “Gathering Service.” It’s basically room service, but the meal is prepped and delivered to your room late in the afternoon and can be enjoyed whenever you want! It takes just 5-10 minutes to warm up (don’t worry, the cooking instructions are very simple and included with the meal). The final result is a beautifully plated meal featuring traditional Okinawan dishes that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your dining room.
Activities
Our stay at Hoshinoya Okinawa was all about rest and relaxation, but we found a number of other activities available at the resort, many of them complimentary to hotel guests.
- Buku buku-cha Afternoon Tea: This traditional Okinawan tea service that dates back to the Ryukyu Era, takes place every afternoon in the Activity Room.
- Sanshin Music Lessons: This premium experience allows you to learn the basics of Afuso-style Sanshin music. Reservation should be made in advance or at reception during your stay. The fee ¥4,000 per person.
- Morning Horseback Ride: this introductory horseback riding experience takes place on the beach right in front of the hotel. The fee is ¥5,000 per person, and bookings must be made in advance.
- Night-time Tuning Deep Breath Exercise session takes place at 9PM every evening and takes inspiration from traditional Okinawan practices of mindful breathing and meditation aimed at promoting relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Evening Cultural Performance takes place nightly from 6 PM in the lobby and features sanshin music performances, dance and other cultural experiences.
Other Activities
- Scuba Diving and Snorkelling. Okinawa is one of the world’s most coral-rich regions. See more of the area’s biodiversity with the help of an experienced instructor.
- Ryukyu Karate. Ryukyu Karate originated in Okinawa. Learn the basic form and discover its spirit from Uechi-style teachers.
- Ryukyu Dance. The traditional Ryukyu Dance was once a religious activity, and then evolved into a hospitality culture. This class teaches you the basic gestures and moves with a traditional theme song.
- Kayak Tour of Yanbaru Mangrove Forest. This tour sets off to the northern part of Okinawa, and takes you along mangrove-filled rivers. Only one group goes per day, so make sure to sign up ahead!
- World Natural Heritage Yanbaru Eco Tour. Yanbaru is a World Natural Heritage Forest with lush forests, dramatic coastlines, and intricate mangrove networks. See it for yourself on this nature hike!
- Tour of Yuntanza. Join a guided tour by a chief sake brewer and enjoy the Awamori straight from Hoshinoya Okinawa’s sake jar!
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The Bottom Line
Our stay at Hoshinoya Okinwana offered the perfect opportunity to experience oceanfront living and to a change of pace during our time on the island. The resort’s coastal location with ocean front views, lush gardens and plenty of on site activities allowed us to relax and unwind while enjoying a taste of Okinawan traditional food, cultural experinece and more!
The hotel is an ideal base for a short romantic escape for two or a relaxing vacation for the whole family.
Disclaimer: Our stay at Hoshinoya Okinawa was made possible courtesy of Hoshino Resorts and the Okinawa Convention and Visitor Bureau. But as always, all opinions expressed in this article are our own.
