Hoshinoya Okinawa: Enjoy Elegant Moments by the Pool Overlooking the Sea

Experience the Hospitality of the Ryukyu Dynasty Era with Sweets and Tea made from Spring Blossoms

At Hoshinoya Okinawa, the pinnacle of Okinawan luxury boasting Japan’s No. 1 pool, we are offering an exclusive “Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea” experience from March 1st to May 31st, 2024. This limited offering for just one group per day allows guests to savor elegant moments by the poolside, overlooking the sea.

Our head chef has reinvented the traditional Ryukyu sweets, “Morigashi,” served to guests during the Ryukyu Dynasty era, for a modern afternoon tea. At the poolside, where breezes from the sea drift by, enjoy unique Okinawan sweets made with local flowers and teas cherished since the Ryukyu Dynasty, all while relaxing and rejuvenating.

*The pool at Hoshinoya Okinawa has been awarded the “Travel and Leisure Luxury Award Asia Pacific 2023 Japan Hotel Pools NO.1.”

Spring in Okinawa greets you with gentle sunlight and refreshing breezes, making it a perfect time for outdoor relaxation. In the gardens, plants sprout new growth, and beautiful flowers bloom one after another. At Hoshinoya Okinawa, we have developed an afternoon tea service by the poolside, overlooking the sea, to help you relax in this inviting season.

The pool, designed to jut out towards the sea, faces the sparkling sunlit waters and the gently lapping waves from the shallow coral reefs. As you reminisce about the Ryukyu Dynasty era, when envoys crossing the seas were welcomed, spend a soul-soothing moment with our original Hoshinoya Okinawa afternoon tea.

A Ryukyu Sweets Hospitality Adorned with ‘Flowers’

For 450 years of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Ryukyu sweets were served to entertain guests from China and Satsuma. In the “Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea,” we present “Morigashi (Mwigwashi),” a collection of 11 Ryukyu sweets, reimagined for modern afternoon tea. This year, marking the second year of the event, the theme is ‘flowers’ familiar in Okinawa. For instance, the small glass dessert “Gettou Blancmange” layers a blancmange infused with the spicy aroma of Gettou (shell ginger) with guava sauce. Its subtle pink color and soft texture represent the shell ginger flowers that bloom in spring. Additionally, Roselle, commonly enjoyed as herbal tea or jam, is served as pickles.

Reference: Hoshinoya Okinawa’s Original Tea Stand

The tea stand is crafted from the “Soushiju” (Acacia confusa) tree, commonly planted in Okinawa. This Hoshinoya Okinawa original features carvings of ‘peonies’ and ‘onagadori’ (long-tailed fowl), traditionally used in celebrations and hospitality since the dynasty era. The plates, matched with the stand, are primed with Okinawa’s unique sandy soil “Neebi” and subtly sparkled with tin powder. The collection also includes a vermilion lacquer plate depicting the Gettou flower blooming in spring and Ryukyu glass, showcasing the artisans’ traditional skills that enhance the beauty of the sweets.

Savoring the Aroma of Flowers, Reflecting on Bygone Times

The one-group-per-day afternoon tea experience at Hoshinoya Okinawa includes stories about the Ryukyu Kingdom, its tea, and sweets shared by our staff. The tea paired with the sweets includes “Seimei Tea (Shimi Tea),” a semi-fermented oolong tea infused with jasmine, reminiscent of Qingming tea, and “Wuyi Tea,” evoking the scent of osmanthus, both historic teas favored in the Ryukyu royal court.

We also offer a selection of teas related to flowers, such as hibiscus and butterfly pea. Just like in the past, guests can enjoy the fragrance of flowers while reminiscing about bygone eras.

Enjoy Elegant Moments by the Award-Winning Poolside

The pool at Hoshinoya Okinawa has been honored with first place in the Japan Hotel Pools category of a globally recognized award. Springtime in Okinawa, known as “Urizun,” is a period where one can comfortably enjoy the outdoors under gentle sunlight and refreshing breezes. At the poolside in the afternoon, where the soothing sea breeze and the sound of waves fill the air, you can gaze at the sparkling water under the sunlight, play in the shallow water, and luxuriate in an elegant atmosphere.

“Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea” Overview

• Duration: March 1 to May 31, 2024
• Time: 14:00 – 16:00
• Price: 30,000 yen for two people (including tax and service charges) *Separate from accommodation fees
• Includes: Afternoon Tea Set for two (sweets, champagne, tea, and coffee)
• Capacity: One group per day (up to two people)
• Reservation: Accepting bookings up to one week in advance on the official website [https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyaokinawa/]
• Eligibility: For guests staying at the hotel
• Note: Content may change depending on the weather. Ingredients and menu may vary based on availability.

For the latest information, please check the official website.

Living in harmony with the sea, “Gusuku Residence” elevates the Ryukyu culture. Inspired by Okinawa’s historical sites, the “Gusuku Wall,” and surrounded by natural coastlines, the resort spreads across a landscape embraced by colorful fields and gardens. It features sea-facing guest rooms and dojos for experiencing Okinawan culture, making it a luxurious resort along Okinawa’s coastline.

• Location: 474 Gima, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, 904-0327
• Phone: 050-3134-8091 (Hoshinoya General Reservation)
• Number of Rooms: 100 rooms – Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00
• Price: From 136,000 yen per night (per room, including tax and service charges, meals not included) *Normal bookings start from a 2-night stay
• Access: About 1 hour by car from Naha Airport (Airport Limousine Bus available at a charge)
• Opening Date: July 1, 2020