Head north from Naha and Okinawa's usual postcard beaches give way to the Yanbaru forest. It's here, wrapped in the fairways of the Kanehide Kise Country Club, that you'll find The Ritz-Carlton. The hotel wraps around three sides of the course, an unusual footprint for a Ritz-Carlton, so nearly every balcony gets a slice of green fairway, blue sea, or often both. Inside, expect handmade ceramics dotted about, low slate-grey furniture, and a spa that disappears into the trees, complete with a coral-tiled steam room. There's Kuroge Wagyu sizzling tableside at dinner, and a restaurant named, rather sweetly, after a rainbow.
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Of the 97 rooms, most look over green fairway, blue sea, or both, from a private balcony or terrace you'll be hard-pressed to leave. Expect yukata robes rather than the usual dressing gown, a Nespresso machine, and bathrooms with a rainfall shower separate from the soaking tub. Cabana Rooms edge closest to the action, each with its own whirlpool tub and a shortcut to the pool. For real space, book the two-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Suite: 105 square metres inside plus a full 100 square metres of terrace beyond – practically its own postcode.
Waking up to fairway on one side and the East China Sea on the other, then strolling through landscaped gardens to a spa that smells of Okinawan herbs.
Ask about the after-dark walks into the Yanbaru forest, run most evenings between 7pm and 9pm. It's your best chance of hearing (if not spotting) the flightless Okinawa rail, found nowhere else on Earth.
Kise Beach is a five-minute shuttle ride away and it's about ninety minutes from Naha airport, so a hire car helps if you want to properly explore Okinawa's Yanbaru forest.
The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Japan trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Japan trips featuring The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa or get advice and suggestions from one of our Japan specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa start from around $280, or US$280, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A diverse, unique & historic island, Okinawa is your gateway to Japan’s Blue Zone – and who doesn’t want to stay ‘young’ forever?
