Orchid Suite Terrace at Halekulani OkinawaPhoto Credit: Adam Bruzzone, Courtesy of Halekulani Okinawa

An Evening of Kaiseki and Craft: Halekulani Okinawa Announces DASSAI Sake Collaboration

On October 25, The Forbes Double Five-Star Resort Will Host “A Feast in the Blue Afterglow,” a One-Night-Only Culinary Event Pairing Refined Kaiseki Cuisine With World-Renowned Sake

Source: Halekulani Okinawa

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

Okinawa’s most distinguished beachfront resort is set to host a rare and refined collaboration this fall. On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Halekulani Okinawa will present a special one-night-only pop-up dinner in partnership with DASSAI, the internationally celebrated sake label revered in more than 30 countries. The exclusive event, titled “A Feast in the Blue Afterglow,” will take place at the resort’s signature Japanese dining destination, AOMI, and spotlight an intricate kaiseki tasting menu expertly paired with six DASSAI sake expressions.

Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 45 Nigori SparklingPhoto Courtesy of DASSAI

Dassai's Fermentation Technology Derived Sparkling WaterPhoto Courtesy of DASSAI

A Culinary Experience Rooted in Craft

The dinner, priced at ¥40,000 per guest (approximately $276 USD), invites guests into a deeply sensory journey through Japan’s seasonal bounty and sake heritage. Designed by Chef Hiroyuki Kurosu—renowned for his Tokyo-based restaurant Kagurazaka Kurosu and a longtime culinary consultant for AOMI—the multi-course meal reflects a culinary philosophy centered on precision, harmony, and natural beauty.

Aomi Sushi Counter with TalentPhoto Credit: Adam Bruzzone, Courtesy of Halekulani Okinawa

Drawing inspiration from Okinawa’s shimmering skies, rolling mountains, and crystalline coastline, each dish is a study in balance and form. A standout course pays homage to the sugidama, the cedar ball traditionally hung outside sake breweries, incorporating DASSAI sake lees to reflect the passage of time in sake aging.

Guiding the evening’s pairings is Naoya Matsufuji, Brand Director of DASSAI, who will share the story behind each pour—including DASSAI BLUE, brewed in New York and emblematic of the brand’s global vision. With the recent designation of traditional sake brewing as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the evening becomes not only a gastronomic event but a cultural tribute to one of Japan’s most treasured traditions.

Dassai Brand Director Naoya MatsufujiPhoto Courtesy of DASSAI

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An Exclusive Stay at Halekulani Okinawa

To elevate the occasion even further, Halekulani Okinawa is offering a dedicated stay package for guests attending the dinner. The package includes accommodation for two in a Deluxe Ocean View Room, breakfast, and dinner at AOMI, along with curated DASSAI amenities such as a bottle of Junmai Daiginjo 45 Nigori Sparkling and Otters Facial Masks.

Dassai Otters Facial MasksPhoto Courtesy of DASSAI

Priced at ¥183,426 (approximately $1,266 USD), the one-night package invites guests to immerse themselves in the full Halekulani experience—from the culinary artistry of the evening to the tranquil comforts of the resort. Reservations for the stay can be made HERE.

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Sunset Pool Overlooking Sea at Halekulani Okinawa

Orchid Suite Living Room During Sunset at Halekulani Okinawa

Located in Onna Village, along a protected stretch of the Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Halekulani Okinawa represents the pinnacle of Okinawan hospitality. Spanning 32 oceanfront acres, the property blends contemporary elegance with nature-driven design. Its five pools, eight restaurants, SpaHalekulani, and meticulous service have earned it the Forbes Travel Guide Double Five-Star distinction—making it the only resort in Okinawa to receive the honor.

This October’s DASSAI event continues Halekulani Okinawa’s tradition of offering curated, meaningful luxury experiences that blend place, purpose, and palate. For reservations to the dinner alone, click HERE.