Blue Zone Okinawa launches wellness tour « Euro Weekly News

Okinawa, Japan, one of the world’s rare Blue Zones where people live long lives, has introduced a new wellness tour focused on holistic health and traditional lifestyle practices.

For those who are interested in health and wellness trends, The Yambaru Miracle Forest Blue Zones Premium Tour might be your next wellness tourism trip. Launched by Okinawa Adventures, the tour takes visitors on a four-day journey through northern Okinawa to explore the region’s longevity secrets.

In the 2020 census, conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Okinawan men lived to an average age of 80.27 and women 87.44.

Okinawa’s longevity secrets: The Yambaru Miracle Forest Blue Zones Premium Tour

The tour, set in the UNESCO-listed Yambaru Forest, immerses guests in nine key aspects of Okinawan longevity. These include plant-based eating, strong community bonds, and medicinal gardening – all of which contribute to the island’s long life expectancy.

The experience starts at Naha Airport, where guests are taken to Shioya Village to learn about the importance of community. They then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant serving seasonal produce sourced from the forest.

Embracing ‘ikigai’

On the second day, participants meet a local craftsman whose ikigai (life’s purpose) is to preserve the tradition of building Sabani boats. Guests can then sail one of these handcrafted boats across Okinawa’s crystal-clear waters. Later, they visit Ogimi, the “village of longevity”, where they taste freshly picked vegetables and yushi-tofu, a traditional soybean-based dish.

The third day offers a more adventurous experience, with kayaking and trekking in the Yambaru Forest. Guests also visit a small-scale farm to learn about Okinawa’s sustainable agriculture and its role in healthy living. The day concludes with an overnight stay at Ada Garden Hotel, a secluded retreat in the forest.

The final day takes guests to a local Utaki – a sacred spiritual site – where they learn about Okinawa’s deeply rooted traditions. The tour ends with a farewell lunch featuring wild-foraged herbs before returning to Naha Airport.

The tour is priced at ¥328,000 (€2,099) per person.

For expats and travellers interested in wellness tourism, Okinawa’s longevity tour offers a unique insight into healthy Japanese living.

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