Saturday, 18 December 2021

"Awamori Discovery" at HOSHINOYA Okinawa

Explore the world of Awamori, rice wine of Okinawa, through guided tours of a limestone cave and brewery.

From 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, guests can learn about awamori, rice wine of Okinawa, and discover its charms that can enrich life through this stay program. Upon arrival, participants will taste 3 brands of Okinawan awamori and learn the basics from our handbook. On the next day, the origins of awamori will be explored through a guided tour of a limestone cave and brewery. At night, a hot pot dinner using awamori will be served as well as a private bar experience to enjoy a pairing of awamori with desserts.

HOSHINOYA Okinawa will be offering a program called the Awamori Discovery from 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022. This stay program is a program to learn about awamori, rice wine of Okinawa, and to discover its charms that can enrich life. Upon arrival, participants will taste 3 brands of Okinawan awamori and learn the basics from our handbook. On the next day, the history will be explored through a guided tour of a limestone cave and brewery. At night, a hot pot dinner using awamori will be served as well as a private bar experience to enjoy a pairing of awamori with desserts.

Background
Awamori (rice wine), which is said to be the oldest distilled liquor in Japan, was under strict control during the Ryukyu Kingdom era and was allowed to be brewed only in areas designated by the royal government. Awamori culture was fostered by spring water from Ryukyu limestone and trade, and even today, it is alcohol popular in Okinawa. We have entered a period in time where more time is spent inside the house, leading to a growing interest in hobbies so we wanted our guests to take back the enjoyment of awamori in daily life. Winter in Okinawa is comfortable with an average temperature of 18 °C. Compared to summer, where the temperature and humidity are high, the winter season is the perfect time to enjoy the unique flavors of awamori by having it straight or by mixing it with hot water. This program was created in the hopes for participants to enjoy the nature of Okinawa and the charms of awamori that can enrich lives at a one-and-only location, HOSHINOYA Okinawa.

Characteristics of Awamori Discovery
1)Learning the basics of awamori through Awamori Starters Set

As an introduction to fully enjoy Awamori Discovery, an Awamori Starters Set will be prepared in the guest rooms after arrival. The Awamori Starters Set includes 3 brands of awamori from the mainland of Okinawa and the basics of awamori can be learned through our handbook. Depending on the weather or feeling of the day, a sake set (cup and vessel) of your choice can be used to enjoy the alcohol.

2) Discover the origins of awamori at a limestone cave and brewery – Awamori Geoguide
Awamori Geoguide hosted by the staff of HOSHINOYA Okinawa will take place at a limestone cave and brewery. Okinawa has few mountains, and Ryukyu limestone is one of the factors that secured the water source necessary to make Awamori. During this guide, participants will visit a limestone cave of Ryukyu limestone and learn about the topography and geology of Okinawa and the Awamori culture developed by the Ryukyu dynasty. At the brewery, how awamori is made, its history, and the skills of brewers can be observed. The origins of awamori can be discovered through the learnings of stratum and the process of awamori making.

3)Hot pot dinner using awamori to be enjoyed in the rooms
A hot pot dinner using ingredients familiar in Okinawa during winter can be enjoyed in the rooms. Awamori has the characteristic of softening meat and removing the odor of meat and seafood. Taking advantage of this characteristic, the hot pot uses the byproduct of awamori to marinate meat, and awamori is used in the broth to enhance the flavor of ingredients. The dipping sauce uses tofuyo, a seasoning of Okinawa that consists of fermented tofu and awamori.

4)Private bar experience to enjoy a pairing of awamori with desserts
At the end of the program, a pairing of awamori with desserts can be enjoyed at the Activity Studio of the premise, which turns into a private bar. The staff of HOSHINOYA Okinawa will share the charms of awamori as well as become a connoisseur to pair the awamori best suited for each participant with a dessert. For example, Baci di dama, Italian hazelnut cookies, with hibiscus ganache, awamori with crushed ice in liquor glass will be served. The sweet and slight sour after taste of the dessert matches the refreshing taste of awamori. While enjoying a pairing of awamori and sweets with the sound of calm waves, participants can find ways to incorporate awamori into everyday life.

Example Stay Schedule
<Day 1>

3:00 pm Check-in
Awamori Starters Set to learn about the basics of awamori
Dinner (of your choice)

<Day 2>
9:00 am Awamori Geoguide to learn about the origins of awamori at the limestone cave and brewery
Lunch (of your choice)
6:00 pm Dinner – hot pot menu using awamori to be enjoyed in the rooms
9:00 pm Private bar – a pairing of awamori with desserts

<Day 3>
12:00 pm Check-out

Awamori Discovery in a glance
Period: 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022
Price: 60,000 JPY per person (includes tax and service charge, excludes accommodation fee)
Price includes: Awamori Starters Set, Awamori Geoguide, dinner (1 time), private bar
Capacity: 1 group per day (maximum of 2 people per group)
Reservation: required 2 weeks in advance
Others:
・Contents of the program are subject to change depending on weather conditions
・Ingredients of meals are subject to change depending on the availability of ingredients

About HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Address: 474 Gima, Yomitan, Nakagami, Okinawa 904-0327
Price: Starts from 132,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals)
Number of Rooms: 100
Check-in: 3:00 pm / Check-out: 12:00 pm
Directions: Approximately an hour by car from Naha Airport
Website: https://hoshinoya.com/okinawa/en/

About HOSHINOYA Brand
Luxury hotel embodying the true characteristics of land, history, and culture
HOSHINOYA is an accommodation with distinct themes, conceptualized from each location’s land, history, and culture. Woven into these distinct themes is our attention to detail in every aspect from the design to hospitality; contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind world of HOSHINOYA. Enrich the heart with the epiphanies of travel through a unique stay experience.

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