Halekulani Okinawa and Blue Zones® Partner Again for Immersive Longevity Retreat in October 2025
May 12th, 2025 – Set on the serene coastline of Onna Village and surrounded by the protected lands of the Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Halekulani Okinawa—Japan’s only Double Five-Star resort—has announced the return of its Blue Zones® Retreat, scheduled for October 19–25, 2025. This marks the second installment in a three-year collaboration between the luxury property and Blue Zones, the global wellness organization rooted in longevity research.
Located in one of the original regions identified for its high concentration of centenarians, Okinawa is central to Blue Zones’ foundational research. This exclusive retreat, available only to guests of Halekulani Okinawa, is designed to offer not just a luxurious escape but a meaningful immersion into the habits, values, and traditions that support a longer, more purposeful life.
Living Well by Design: The Power 9® in Practice
The seven-day, six-night retreat includes six wellness modules developed by Blue Zones to teach participants the Power 9® principles—core lifestyle habits identified in the world’s longest-living populations. These principles include natural movement, purpose, community connection, and a plant-forward diet, each integrated seamlessly into the retreat itinerary.
But the programming extends far beyond lectures. Guests are guided through experiences that embody these principles in real time—participating in hands-on workshops, cultural activities, and culinary explorations that showcase the depth of Okinawan tradition and its intimate relationship with well-being.
Cultural Programming That Honors Place and Practice
Each element of the retreat reflects a deep respect for the host location.
Highlights include:
A tea ceremony and Ryukyu-style cooking class using traditional Okinawan ingredients
A visit to an awamori distillery, now recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
A curated trip to Yachimun no Sato, home to some of Okinawa’s most skilled ceramic artisans
A guided tour of the Nakijin Castle Ruins, a historic site dating back to the 13th century
A vegetable sushi workshop with the resort’s sushi chef
A hands-on session in playing the sanshin, a traditional three-string instrument symbolic of Okinawan musical heritage
The holistic approach balances cultural enrichment with personal introspection—offering guests both new knowledge and a slower rhythm that mirrors the pace of island life.
Exclusive Access and All-Inclusive Luxury
Rates for the retreat begin at 782,000 Japanese Yen for single occupancy (approximately $5,368 USD) and 1,096,000 Japanese Yen for double occupancy (approximately $7,523 USD), with pricing subject to exchange rate fluctuations. The rate includes accommodations, daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), roundtrip airport transfers, and access to all retreat programming.
Retreat guests also enjoy the full range of amenities offered by Halekulani Okinawa, including eight restaurants, an acclaimed luxury spa, and five swimming pools, one of which features over 1.5 million mosaic tiles shaped into Halekulani’s iconic orchid. Set across 32 acres, the resort is among the few Japanese properties in The Leading Hotels of the World collection.
A Destination with Purpose
“The opportunity to pair Okinawa’s cultural heritage with Blue Zones’ global wellness philosophy allows us to offer something deeply personal and truly unique,” said Shigeki Yamamoto, Director of Sales and Marketing at Halekulani Okinawa.
Yamamoto continued:
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Blue Zones for the second year, offering exclusive experiences for guests to explore the island’s cuisine, traditions and lifestyle, while gaining insights for their own health.”
Shigeki Yamamoto, Director of Sales and Marketing at Halekulani Okinawa
The retreat not only invites guests to recharge but encourages them to reevaluate the way they live—grounded in science, guided by culture, and surrounded by nature.