For some travelers, a trip to Japan may not immediately conjure up images of an exotic paradise with gorgeous blue seas and rare flora and fauna. But around 400 miles south of the main island and a two-hour flight away from Tokyo, that’s exactly what Okinawa is.
The smallest of Japan’s main islands, it has an intriguing and unique history: an independent kingdom formally annexed in 1879, Okinawa was also a key strategic location during the Second World War. Today, it’s a popular holiday destination for locals and international visitors alike, with resorts dotted all across the coast.
The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa was the hotel brand’s first location in Japan, opened in 2012. Its design is typical of a luxury island resort, but being on the smaller side, nothing feels overwhelming or overdone. Around the hotel grounds, calming water features amid lush greenery inspired by the island’s forests allow you to sink into vacation mode fully. Nested by an 18-hole golf course and only a stone’s throw away from the beach, its secluded location makes it the ideal spot for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway.
Stay
The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa is home to 97 guest rooms and two suites. Starting at 484 sq ft, every guest room is spacious and airy, while premier options also offer endless views of the ocean. The combination of neutral colors and light blue touches recalls a sandy beach and traditional Okinawan pottery, known as yachimun. Each marbled bathroom comes with double vanities and oversized bathtubs with outdoor views for maximum comfort.
The opulent Ritz-Carlton Suite is reserved for the resort’s most elite guests. Featuring two double bedrooms and 2,690 sq ft of indoor and outdoor space, there’s no better place to stay on the island. Thanks to ample living space inside and a veranda, balcony and terrace outside – plus whirlpool tubs – you could stay here for several days without ever having (or wanting) to leave.
Dine
There are two fine dining restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, and both are just as spectacular. Chura-Nuhji dishes out some of the best Italian cuisine on the island, and I was particularly impressed by the chefs’ willingness to cater to special diets and preferences. Kise is intimate and understated, but the food speaks for itself. We sipped on drinks as we watched a teppanyaki chef expertly prepare local-inspired dishes on a grill, from fresh spiny lobster to Okinawan Wagyu beef.
The Ritz-Carlton suite is one of the hotel’s finest accommodation options.
/ ©The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
Each room and suite offers picturesque views of the island.
/ ©The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
There are two fine dining restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa: Chura-Nuhji and Kise.
Spa rooms include private hot tubs for a pre-treatment soak.
/ ©The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
Relax
Step away from the resort’s main buildings, and a rainforest-inspired garden pathway will take you to the Ritz-Carlton Spa Okinawa. Here, I received an incredibly relaxing scalp treatment, which used locally grown herbs and a honey hair mask. It would have been easy to spend the entire day at the spa, making myself at home with its relaxation cabanas, a Japanese steam room and hot tubs.
Explore
One of Japan’s most popular holiday destinations, there’s plenty to do and see in Okinawa. Outside the resort grounds, visitors can go scuba diving or snorkeling in the sea, while Yanbaru forest is ideal for trekking or kayaking. The island’s World Heritage Sites — such as the sacred Sefa Utaki site — provide an insight of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s history and culture.
Rooms from $599 per night. Contact RC-okinawaleads@ritzcarlton.com, +81 980-43-5555, ritzcarlton.com
