*AI Translated
Okinawa Main Island’s northern area, Nago City, is home to The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, which celebrated its grand reopening on July 17, 2026. This renewal focused on updating three in-house restaurants, the entrance, front desk, and other shared spaces. In addition to welcoming a new Executive Chef, a dedicated team has been established to help guests experience the nature and culture of Okinawa more deeply.
The guest room renovations were completed at the end of 2024, and with this latest renewal, the resort has evolved into a destination where guests can enjoy dining, activities, and accommodation all in one stay. Here, we introduce the new restaurants and highlight some of the most exciting activities.
Stay at the renewed hotel and enjoy northern Okinawa
Key Points of the Renewal
The main focus of this renewal is on dining and guest experiences. The new Italian restaurant “Riva Ristorante” has opened, while the teppanyaki restaurant “Kise” and Okinawan cuisine restaurant “Gusuku” have also been renewed. The entrance, front desk, and other shared spaces now feature designs inspired by traditional Okinawan motifs and the island’s natural beauty.
Furthermore, Rei Matsuyama has been appointed as the new Executive Chef. A dedicated “Guest Experience Team” has also been established to guide guests through more than 30 different activities both inside and outside the hotel.
Discover Okinawa Through Cuisine: Three Restaurants
Newly Opened “Riva Ristorante”
“Riva Ristorante” is a new restaurant based on the concept of “a fusion of Southern Italy and Okinawa.” Dishes are served family-style for sharing. Guests can enjoy trolley service, cocktails prepared tableside, and an in-house pasta station, making the entire dining experience entertaining.
The signature dish, “Paccheri Pescatora,” features the traditional Southern Italian pasta “paccheri” and is a seafood lover’s delight. The large, tube-shaped paccheri is tossed with carefully selected local squid, shrimp, and other seafood, all enhanced by the elegant aroma of white wine sauce, the refreshing acidity of cherry tomatoes, and the accents of garlic and parsley. This luxurious seafood pasta evokes the vibrant atmosphere of the southern Italian coast.
Another highlight is the “Florentine T-bone Steak,” a classic of Italian gastronomy. The bone-in steak is grilled to perfection with rosemary and herbs and is meant to be enjoyed by a group. Sharing a large platter like this reflects the rich dining culture of Southern Italy. This signature dish of Riva Ristorante delivers the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.
Experience Okinawa with All Five Senses at Teppanyaki “Kise”
The newly renovated teppanyaki restaurant “Kise” expresses the story of Okinawa, from the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom to the present day, through its cuisine, tableware, aromas, and sounds. The dishes and glasses are specially ordered from Okinawan artisans. Through the “Kise Course,” which combines Okinawan Wagyu beef, seafood, vegetables, and spices, guests can enjoy Okinawan ingredients from a fresh perspective.
Okinawan Restaurant “Gusuku” Also Renewed
“Gusuku” is a dining venue where guests can enjoy local Okinawan cuisine rooted in daily life and made with regional ingredients. The highlight is the “Special Course,” which features Okinawan Agu pork, Okinawan Wagyu beef, and local seafood. In addition, à la carte dishes such as Jimami tofu, Okinawa soba, and Ishiyaki Taco Rice are also available.
New Executive Chef: Rei Matsuyama
The new Executive Chef, Rei Matsuyama, has built his career at luxury hotels and restaurants in Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom. After contributing to the opening of Park Hyatt Niseko HANAZONO and serving as Executive Chef at The St. Regis Osaka, he was appointed Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa in July 2026.
The common theme across all restaurants is “Yuimaaru,” which represents the connection with Okinawa. By engaging with local ingredients, producers, and the natural environment, the aim is to share new charms of Okinawa through cuisine.
Into the Forests and Seas of Yanbaru: Over 30 Experiences Available
With the renovation, the hotel has launched its first dedicated activity team, the “Guest Experience Team.” More than 30 programs are available both inside and outside the hotel. Dedicated staff will guide each guest to experiences tailored to their individual interests.
Activities include trekking and cycling in the World Natural Heritage Site “Yanbaru Forest,” as well as enjoying the sea, stargazing, and exploring mangroves. There are also tours where guests can experience traditional Okinawan culture, such as Bashofu weaving and Ryukyu Bingata dyeing.
At the hotel’s indoor pool, guests can participate in the original “Ryukyu Floating Sound Healing” program, which combines stretching and meditation. This is an ideal stay not only for sightseeing, but also for those who wish to immerse themselves in the nature and culture of Okinawa at a relaxed pace.
Basic Information about The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa
The hotel is located on a hilltop in Kise, Nago City, in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, surrounded by the lush greenery of “Yanbaru.” All 97 guest rooms offer views of the East China Sea or the prestigious Kanehide Kise Country Club golf course. In June 2026, the hotel obtained the international environmental certification “Green Key.” That same year, it was also selected in the “BEST BEACH, ISLAND + UPCOUNTRY HOTELS” category of the “Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa
- Address: 1343-1 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
- Access: https://tr.ee/WFKj7DEitN
- Check-in: 15:00, Check-out: 12:00
- Official Website: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/ja/hotels/okarz-the-ritz-carlton-okinawa/overview/ (Available in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean)
Enjoy Okinawa’s Cuisine and Nature All at Once
🔎View Accommodation Plans and Room Availability at The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa
*The information provided is current as of August 4, 2026. Business operations, prices, available menus, and activity conditions are subject to change. Please check the latest information before making reservations or using the facilities.
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