The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa (Location: 1343-1 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture / General Manager: Sam Chia) launches its SAKURA menu on January 7, 2026 (Wednesday), featuring the Kan-hizakura cherry blossoms. The menu includes a SAKURA Afternoon Tea, four types of cherry blossom and strawberry-themed cakes, and four types of SAKURA cocktails, available through mid-April.
While the mainland experiences harsh winter cold in January, Okinawa welcomes the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in Japan: the Kan-hizakura. Unlike the pale pink blossoms most people associate with cherry trees, Kan-hizakura features deep, vibrant colors that paint the entire island like flames heralding spring's arrival. Nago City in Okinawa Prefecture, where The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa is located, is known as a famous spot for Kan-hizakura, hosting the "Nago Cherry Blossom Festival." The hotel has planted Kan-hizakura trees on its grounds, creating a deep connection between the hotel and these cherry blossoms. The menu items draw inspiration from the early spring scenery that surrounds the hotel.
The SAKURA Afternoon Tea embodies a "spring feast," creating an exciting harmony of gorgeous sweets celebrating spring's arrival and savories featuring luxurious seasonal ingredients. The afternoon tea incorporates Okinawan ingredients throughout, including tankan oranges, mulberries, beets, Yanbaru chicken, and Okinawan pork, resulting in an original creation you can only experience here. By skillfully arranging different shades of pink, the tea exudes seasonal vitality within refined beauty. The color palette reminiscent of cherry blossoms and the delicate forms create a harmonious afternoon tea that conveys the elegance unique to The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa.
Additionally, four types of cakes featuring cherry blossoms and strawberries make their debut. The lineup includes a shortcake in a glass format that offers visual beauty, a mousse capturing strawberry sparkle, a tiramisu where cherry blossom sweetness harmonizes with coffee bitterness, and a vegan tart with adorable cherry petal garnishes. The lobby lounge & bar showcase displays cakes dressed in spring colors, including cherry blossom pink, creating a scene reminiscent of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Enjoy spring's arrival elegantly through delicate flavors and vibrant colors.
The four SAKURA cocktails each tell a beautiful story with Kan-hizakura cherry blossoms at their heart. From the quiet moments before blossoms open, through their full bloom radiance, to the lingering echoes of petals dancing through the air, these cocktails capture each fleeting moment of cherry blossom beauty. Guests can enjoy limited-time drinks available only in Okinawa, including cocktails made with homemade cherry liqueur prepared by steeping last year's cherry blossoms and cocktails featuring awamori plum wine.
Experience a special early spring moment celebrating Japan's earliest spring, unique to The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa, with sweets and cocktails abundantly featuring seasonal Okinawan ingredients and cherry blossom elegance.
Lobby Lounge & Bar "SAKURA Afternoon Tea"
- Period: January 7, 2026 (Wednesday) to mid-April 2026
- Price:
- ¥7,500 (tax and service charge included) with coffee or tea of your choice
- ¥10,000 (tax and service charge included) with one glass of champagne and coffee or tea of your choice
※Menu contents may change depending on the season and daily procurement.
Menu Items:
Okinawan Pork Marinated in Hibiscus Tea with Strawberry Balsamic Compote, Homemade Focaccia
Okinawan pork tenderly finished in hibiscus tea, paired with sweet and tangy strawberry balsamicBlood Orange Shrimp Ceviche, Cherry Blossom, Rice Paper Chips
Shrimp marinated in refreshing blood orange with cherry blossom garnish for an elegant appetizerYanbaru Chicken Curry-Flavored Salad, Cranberry Spread, Grilled Tortilla
A spicy dish featuring chicken from Okinawa's northern Yanbaru region in curry-flavored salad wrapped in tortillaOkinawan Beet-Marinated Salmon, Red Island Shallot Chutney, Mini Croissant
Vividly colored salmon marinated in Okinawan beets, served with croissantRosemary Polenta, "Cheeseanista" Goat Cheese, Pickled Radish
An East-meets-West dish combining aromatic corn polenta with "Cheeseanista" cherry-flavored goat cheeseStrawberry-Scented Cube Mousse
A sweet confection of fragrant strawberry mousse encasing fresh strawberry confiturePetite Glass Shortcake
A nostalgic treat showcasing juicy fresh strawberry goodnessTankan and Cherry Madeleine
A sweet where tankan's refreshing aroma beautifully matches the saltiness of cherry sauceCherry and Mulberry Crystal Tart
A jewel-like beautiful tart using cherry blossoms and Okinawan mulberriesStrawberry Chantilly Chocolate Macaron
A homemade sweet-tart macaron filled generously with strawberry chocolate cream
Lobby Lounge & Bar "SAKURA Cakes"
- Period: January 7, 2026 (Wednesday) to mid-April 2026
- Price: From ¥2,000 (tax and service charge included)
Glass Shortcake
Sweet-tart strawberries and cream layered together, with deep crimson lines drawn on the glass creating a visually striking piece.
Strawberry Mousse Cake
A strawberry-packed creation featuring strawberry mousse, homemade strawberry confiture, strawberry jelly, and strawberry sauce toppings
Cherry Tiramisu
A marriage of gentle cherry mascarpone cream sweetness and coffee syrup bitterness
Strawberry Vegan Tart
A light-flavored vegan tart layering lemon-scented custard cream and sweet-tart berry jelly
Lobby Lounge & Bar "4 Types of SAKURA Cocktails"
Cherry Blossom Beauty Captured in Glass - A Taste of Spring
- Period: January 7, 2026 (Wednesday) to mid-April 2026
- Price: From ¥2,800 (tax and service charge included)
Tsubomi - Blooming -
Expressing the fleeting moment before cherry blossoms open, waiting for spring's arrival
The deep green of matcha reflects nature's breath, gently covering the cherry blossoms as they wait to bloom. Looking down into the cocktail from above reveals "that moment" when buds begin to blossom. Enjoy the appearance of tiny cherry flowers heralding spring's arrival. A story-filled drink using homemade liqueur created by carefully steeping and preserving last year's cherry blossoms.
Sakura Martini
Daytime cherry blossoms illuminated by clear light and night cherry blossoms reflected in transparent waters
Day and night, Yanbaru's forest breathes with cherry blossoms. Daytime cherry blossoms illuminated by clear light bloom gracefully without competing for attention, quietly announcing spring's arrival with pale colors. As night falls, cherry blossoms cast shadows by the riverside. Their appearance on the transparent water surface plays a quiet melody with shimmering light. A drink capturing this fleeting yet beautiful scene in a glass.
SA-KU-RA Mojito
At peak season, blossoming cherry trees, sunlit young leaves, and spring sunlight's gentle sparkle
During the season when you cannot help but feel nature's power, cherry blossoms reach full bloom. This cocktail expresses through its aroma and beautiful appearance the moment when blossoming cherry trees, sunlit young leaves, and spring sunlight emit gentle sparkles. By adding fresh yuzu, gentle sweetness and refreshing acidity spread through the mouth, creating a drink evoking spring's breath.
Eternal Spring - Eien no Haru -
After full bloom, petals fleetingly fall to the river
After cherry blossoms reach full bloom, their petals quietly fall to the river, surrendering to nature's flow. As if to capture that fleeting beauty, awamori plum wine containing saltiness is crafted into a frozen cocktail. While thinking of the coming spring, enjoy the beautiful lingering echoes of spring fading away within the glass.
About The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
Built on elevated grounds surrounded by Yanbaru greenery in northern Okinawa's main island, The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa is a "luxury golf & spa resort" away from urban bustle. The interior, inspired by Shuri Castle's red tiles and white walls, and sacred water-spring places revered since ancient times, is filled with tranquility and peace. Guest rooms, which completed renovations at the end of 2024, offer views of the emerald green East China Sea and "Kanehide Kise Country Club" golf course. A place where Ryukyuan culture breathes and warmly welcomes visitors as a "castle (gusuku)," embodying the spirit of hospitality "Keion" (honoring and upholding courtesy) cherished by Ryukyuan people who valued propriety, and a relaxing space where you can feel Okinawa's abundant "nature" - we provide refined personal service.
- Hotel Name: The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
- Opening Date: May 28, 2012
- General Manager: Sam Chia
- Location: 1343-1 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture 905-0026
- Tel: Main 0980-43-5555
- Guest Rooms: 97 total rooms (all guest rooms renovated at end of 2024)
- SNS: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ritzcarltonokinawa/
- Official Website: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/ja/hotels/okarz-the-ritz-carlton-okinawa/overview/
