Okinawa Prince Hotel Ocean View Ginowan (3-28-1 Mashiki, Ginowan City, Okinawa, General Manager: Suguru Sato) is pleased to announce the launch of an activity experience starting September 1, 2026 (Tue), in collaboration with Blue Farm Okinawa, a company operating in Okinawa's marine sector. This experience involves storing bottles of awamori and other spirits in an underwater storage facility located 2 km off the coast of Ginowan, directly in front of the hotel.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in travel styles that seek "unique experiences specific to the destination" rather than mere sightseeing. In response, our hotel has been striving to create new values for stays by leveraging Ginowan's rich natural resources and local culture.

This project is designed as a "consumable experience" that capitalizes on the rarity and storytelling of aging awamori underwater, with the premise of "revisiting one year later." We aim to deliver a "stay experience that is completed over time," integrated with the hotel's accommodation and culinary experiences. Participants can add a message to their bottles before they are submerged, and then return a year later to retrieve them, creating a special experience that deeply imprints cherished anniversaries and memories.

This initiative is a community-collaboration activity realized through cooperation with the Urasoe Ginowan Fishermen's Cooperative Association and Ginowan Marine Support Center, contributing to the promotion of sustainable tourism that utilizes local resources and the circulation of the local economy.

Ginowan's Coral Reefs

Features of the Underwater Aging Storage Experience

Underwater Storage Facility on a Fish Reef

1. A Unique Aging Environment Nurtured by Nature

Awamori has the characteristic of aging even with the small amount of air remaining in the bottle, and underwater storage allows for unique aging.

The sea area off Ginowan, at a depth of approximately 21 meters, is less affected by UV rays and temperature fluctuations, maintaining a stable water temperature year-round.

Furthermore, the slight vibrations from moderate currents, underwater sounds, and mineral-rich spring water create an environment suitable for aging sake.

During the aging period, not only the flavor develops, but also calcareous algae (※1) and shellfish attach to the bottle, creating a one-of-a-kind original bottle.

(※1) A type of algae composed of 90% calcium carbonate, making it very hard. It has the property of fixing CO2 (blue carbon). The water quality where calcareous algae thrive is also said to be suitable for coral reef growth.

One-Year Aged Bottle (with wooden tag containing a message)

2. A Participatory Story Experience to Remember

This experience allows participants to feel the beautiful coral reefs and sea of Ginowan. The submersion and retrieval are entrusted to professional divers. We offer plans with snorkeling, suitable for marine activity beginners. For those with diving licenses, it is possible to submerge and retrieve awamori underwater with the assistance of professional divers, enjoying the beautiful coral reefs and even entering the pyramid-shaped storage facility (fish reef) where the bottles rest. This is a special experience that can only be had here.

Additionally, a wooden tag where a message can be written is submerged with the bottle, allowing participants to create special memories by recording the storage date or anniversary.

In addition to the above plans, we also offer fully entrusted plans for storage and retrieval, catering to a wide range of customers.

Snorkeling/Diving Spots

3. Value Creation Through Regional Collaboration

This experience utilizes sea areas that are normally difficult to access, offering a unique experience that maximizes the use of local resources.

Ginowan's sea is also known as a rare area where corals thrive due to the inflow of mineral-rich groundwater. The "Janabishi Area," our diving spot for this activity, is designated as a Conservation and Utilization Agreement Area (※2) by Okinawa Prefecture and is a scenic spot with one of the largest coral colonies on the main island of Okinawa.

(※2) Conservation and Utilization Agreement: A rule voluntarily established and concluded among businesses (such as guide services) that appropriately conserves and utilizes areas for environmentally friendly nature experience activities (eco-tours, etc.), while appropriately reflecting opinions from local residents and stakeholders. The prefectural governor certifies those deemed appropriate by the prefecture. The coral reef group and its surroundings off Ginowan City are called the "Shanase Area."

In-Hotel Content Limited to Underwater Aging Storage Experience Reservations

This experience is linked to hotel stays, with content available to enjoy from the time of storage until after retrieval.

All Day Dining Jinon

Buffet Cuisine and Awamori Pairing at All Day Dining Jinon

At the time of storage, we will offer a special sale of the dedicated storage awamori, "Sakimoto Shuzo Rough Filtered 44%," at the hotel restaurant during dinner.

Please enjoy the pairing of buffet cuisine and awamori.

After retrieval, you can also bring your own stored awamori. You can share the joy of your return visit with a toast, savoring the seabed-aged sake, mellowed by the gentle sway of the waves and rich minerals, along with pairing dishes recommended by our awamori master.

*A separate bottle carrying fee will apply.

Club Lounge UMIKAJI

Original Cocktails Using Dedicated Storage Awamori at Club Lounge UMIKAJI

For guests staying in club floors, we offer a special cocktail experience.

A bartender will serve original cocktails made with the dedicated storage awamori at the club lounge.

Cocktail 1 "Coral Martini" A beautiful cocktail with sparkling blue coral, inspired by the sea of Ginowan. Its clear blue color, reminiscent of the transparent sea, and the red accents representing coral reefs capture the charm of Ginowan's rich ocean.

Cocktail 2 "35 Marine Espresso" An espresso cocktail for adults, made with "35 Liqueur Awamori Coffee" and "Sakimoto Shuzo Rough Filtered 44%." Enjoy the profound flavor created by the robust taste of awamori and the rich aroma of coffee.

Implementation Overview

[Period] September 1, 2026 (Tue) -

[Target] Accommodation guests only

[Reservations] Up to 3 days in advance (accepted on the Blue Farm Okinawa reservation site)

[Benefits]

- Message wooden tag (stored with the bottle)

- Accommodation discounts for experience participants (some blackout dates apply)

Our hotel will continue to strive to create memorable stay experiences that make guests feel, "I want to meet this sea again," and "I want to stay here again."

Overview of Underwater Aging Storage Experience

Includes hotel pick-up (may be a local meeting point depending on circumstances - Ginowan Port Marina / 3 minutes walk from the hotel). Choose from 5 plans.

Fully Entrusted Plan (Storage and Retrieval Service)

Snorkeling Experience (with storage and retrieval entrusted)

Diving Experience (1 Storage / 2 Retrieval / 3 Retrieval + Storage)

[Period] September 1, 2026 (Tue) -

[Location] Ginowan Marine Support Center

[Fees] Refer to the price list (storage sake cost is separate).

*Activity Attendant: Marea Create Co., Ltd.

Experience Fee List

*There are also plans to newly store the sake one year after the initial storage, at the time of retrieval.

*The cost of the sake to be stored is not included in the activity fee.

*Please check the Blue Farm Okinawa reservation site for a list of storable alcoholic beverages.

Orders must be placed up to 3 days in advance for waterproof processing. Please place your order on the Blue Farm Okinawa reservation site.

*Eligibility for diving plans is generally for individuals aged 20 to 59 who hold a diving license.

*Individuals aged 60 and over who wish to participate may do so if they provide a doctor's certificate issued within the last week and are deemed suitable after an interview with an instructor.

*For those who do not have diving or snorkeling equipment, rental is available for diving equipment at \8,800 and snorkeling equipment at \4,400.

*Please apply for storage diving at least 3 days before the scheduled date.

*However, depending on reservation availability (instructors, boats) and processing of stored sake, applications may not be accepted. We recommend booking 2-3 weeks in advance.

*Number of participants per boat: 1 to 8 people

*Minimum number of participants: 1 person

*There is no price variation based on the number of participants.

*Although we conduct this activity year-round, we may not be able to accept reservations for dates where deteriorating marine conditions are predicted (especially in winter).

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event
  • Organizations: Blue Farm Okinawa