Blue Zone Secrets of Okinawan Wellness

📍 Distances and journey time: Naha Airport - Naha (4 km): 15 min

Upon arrival at Naha Airport, a private car will be waiting for transfer to the hotel in Naha.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Optional Tour : Naha Nightlife Tour 
Meet the guide and head out into the busy nightlife area where the night market begins when the sun sets.

Visit at least three local restaurants, where dishes will be served showcasing a variety of food. From traditional Okinawan recipes to old-school Japanese cuisine, guests can expect plenty to eat this evening.

Drink will flow alongside the food, with a chance to try Awamori, a famous alcoholic beverage indigenous to Okinawa.

Along the way, clink glasses with locals and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the district. This is what a night out on the island is all about, and it will soon be easy to understand how Okinawa stands apart from mainland Japan in countless wonderful ways.

After three hours of food and fun, say farewell to the guide and continue exploring independently or return to the hotel.

Time:
Start (guided tour): 17:30
Duration: 3 h

Overnight in Naha                                          
 

Inclusions:

📍 Time: Start (Cooking class): 10:00 Duration: 3 hTime: Start (Village Orientation Walk): 16:00 Duration: 1 hDistance and journey time (approximation): Naha – Yanbaru: 2 h (Drive)

Leave luggage at the front desk, the driver will pick up any luggage and meet guests after the food tour at the kitchen. 

Meet a private guide and begin with a tour of the local market. This lively shopping arcade is home to local shops selling fresh produce and seafood that will be used in today’s cooking class. The items purchased will be seasonal, but usually include regional vegetables like goya and sweet potato as well as handmade tofu. 

After the market, proceed into the kitchen where a cooking instructor awaits to introduce guests to authentic Okinawan recipes. Assist in preparing traditional dishes that rely on the very ingredients that are said to contribute to the longevity of the Okinawa people.

When the food is ready, sit down to enjoy the delicious dishes that have been freshly prepared.

After the cooking class, board a private car at the kitchen and head north.

On the northern coast of Okinawa’s main island is the small village of Yanbaru. Okinawa is considered a “Blue Zone” region where the residents live longer than average lives. The slow village life of Yanbaru and the healthy food grown in local gardens is thought to be a source of the mysterious longevity. This tiny traditional community has existed for over 400 years, and now welcomes visitors to discover an authentic side of Okinawa that cannot be found elsewhere. 

Arrive in Yanbaru and meet a villager guide who will act as a host for the stay that will lead guests on an adventure into the heart of Okinawan culture, nature, and hospitality.

In Yanbaru village, empty private houses have been renovated into luxury villas that maintain the style and layout of the former homes. These sustainable hotels have created a new local business model that allow residents preserve and share their local culture.

After checking in, the villager guide will explain the house history and lead guests on a walk through the village. This orientation tour is a perfect way to discover the history and scenery of the village.

Dinner is served at the villa in the form of a simple and healthy DIY BBQ of chicken and local vegetables. 

Note:
-    Cooking class is not available on Sunday, and certain holiday periods

Overnight in Yanbaru 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Start (Bashofu experience): 10:00 Duration: approx. 2 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit timesStart (Sabani experience): 14:00 Duration: approx. 2 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times

Start the day with a healthy breakfast featuring locally made bread delivered to the villa. 

Next, the villager guide will drive guests to Oogimi village to witness the remarkable local handicraft of bashofu, the traditional method of weaving banana leaf fibers into textiles. This disappearing craft produces thin cloth used to make light kimonos perfect for Okinawa’s heat and humidity. Experience this fascinating process up close and learn how a few remaining weavers are keeping the tradition alive.

Today’s lunch focuses on the Okinawan phrase “makachiku misore," meaning "please leave it to me.” Local grandmothers grow delicious island vegetables and are used in meals cooked in a charming rustic restaurant. Let the locals say “makachiku misore” as they prepare a special seasonal lunch that harnesses the power of nature through fresh ingredients and regional recipes. 

In the afternoon, board a traditional Okinawan wooden sailing boat for a relaxing ride over the waves. Originally used in Okinawa for practical purposes, the sabani boat evolved from a single-tree canoe to wood-joined construction due to forestry protection laws. Meet the shipbuilder and see how he is preserving the cultural legacy of the seagoing Okinawan people. 

Tonight’s dinner is vegan Okinawan cuisine at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Yanbaru
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distances and journey time: Yanbaru – Naha Airport (100 km): 2 hrs

Begin the morning with a traditional Okinawan cooking experience using a wood-fired stove in the villa. The villager guide will assist with the food preparation and guests can learn traditional cooking methods. When complete, enjoy a tasty home cooked breakfast served on beautiful Okinawa pottery. 

After checkout, say good bye to Yanbaru Village and a private car will take guests to the next destination.

Optional Extension : Resort Stay at Busena Terrace
On the way back to Naha Airport, it might be a great idea to spend a few days at the local owned Okinawan resort on one of the Island’s most celebrated beaches
Wake up to the sound of waves, and fall asleep under the twinkling stars.
Enjoy a blissful holiday where you can leave behind the everyday hustle and bustle, and find peace for both mind and body.
Speak with a Travel Consultant for more details.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch