Shurijo Castle has hosted events on its grounds
Okinawa’s unique heritage and geography have given her many unique sights, venues and activities that event planners can use, writes Julian Ryall
Okinawa is looking to ramp up its reputation as a MICE destination as it prepares for two major infrastructure projects that will further boost its appeal to event planners.
The prefectural government is scheduled to open a state-of-the-art exhibition centre on the east coast of the main island of Okinawa in 2020, while a second runway is due to become operational at Naha Airport the same year. Combined with the unique culture, hospitality and the legendary beauty of the 160 islands that make up Japan’s most southerly prefecture, local operators believe these two developments will place Okinawa firmly on planners’ radar.
“The market has already been growing in recent years, which can be attributed to the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCVB) becoming more proactive in the menus that it can offer to MICE planners,” said Kazuya Yasuda, a representative of MICE Promotion Division, Akane Creation Co. in Naha.
“A decade ago, Okinawa only had direct international flights to Taipei and Seoul,” he said.
“Now we have direct flights from up to seven international cities, including some of the biggest and most important in the region, such as Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.”
To date, international conferences hosted in Okinawa tended to be relatively small and specialised, with the largest in 2014 attracting 681 delegates to the Okinawa Convention Centre for the 7th Congress of the International Society for Hemodialysis.
The centre’s facilities are complemented by the Bankoku Shinryokan Resort, which was built on a small peninsula on the west coast of the main island to serve as the primary venue for the 2000 summit of the Group of Eight nations. Additional options became available in 2012 with the opening of a 496-seat auditorium, seminar rooms and related facilities at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
But with capacity for 20,000 people and 20,000m2 of exhibition space, with a further 25,000m2 to be added subsequently, the planned new convention facility will herald a new dawn for MICE events in Okinawa.
“A venue like that will obviously act as a big draw for organisations that are considering locations for their events, particularly if we are able to emphasise some of the unique events and locations that companies here can provide,” said Yoshie Johnson, executive director of Okinawa Congress Corporation.
A unique facility in the tropical Japanese destination is the Zakimi Castle, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. It can host demonstrations of traditional Okinawan martial arts, music and dance, and when illuminated at night, the spectacle is breathtaking.
Similarly, many event organisers request a banquet or entertainment at Shurijo Castle, the crimson fortress that overlooks Naha. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the OCVB has been able to use its contacts to convince the guardians of arguably Okinawa’s most important historical site to permit events to be held on its grounds.
Okinawa’s weather and environment are also a major advantage to companies that provide teambuilding exercises.
“We are very positive about the outlook for what we do, and for many reasons,” said Hiroyuki Tokuda, president of DMC Okinawa Inc., which has led events for Citigroup and BNP Paribas.
“There are more tourists coming here now, and that is helping to dramatically raise our profile as a MICE destination as well,” he said. “Meanwhile the islands’ infrastructure is also being developed smoothly.”
DMC Okinawa is the organiser of the Amazing Race series in Okinawa and can lay on anything from events in which participants make traditional Okinawan dresses to performing island music, treasure hunts, boat races and ‘beach Olympics’.
Asked what single development would bring a significant increase in MICE visitors to Okinawa, Tokuda is swift to reply: direct flights from Singapore. And the prefectural government is in discussions with carriers to try to arrange that, he said.
The OCVB has also introduced a number of measures designed to attract MICE planners, including providing conference bags and guidebooks to delegates, having Miss Okinawa ambassadors take part in reception parties, presentations and ceremonies, hosting a welcome ceremony at the airport and providing introductions to organisations that can perform traditional cultural shows.
Additional assistance from the bureau includes financial support for charter bus services, accommodation subsidies for incentive groups and arranging discounts for conference venues, including the Okinawa Convention Centre and the Bankoku Shinryokan.
Okinawa Convention Centre (above) hosted one
of Okinawa’s largest association congress, the
7th Congress of the International Society for
Hemodialysis
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Takashi Kinoshita, director of Ichimarine
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Takashi Kinoshita, director of Ichimarine, suggests three fun cultural immersions in Okinawa
Conquer the water dragon
Anyone who takes part in a dragon boat race will always remember it. The Nago Tourist Association operates programmes that can be as short as two hours or last six hours, with local fishermen teaching teams how best to paddle and steer one of the Okinawan-style Haarii dragon boats. Then, when the 10-strong teams have mastered the boats, there is always a final race. Visit kanko.city.nago.okinawa.jp/micemenu/index.html.
Find delight in dyeing
Bingata is a traditional style of dyeing cloth that uses stencils to create designs that are unmistakably Okinawan. It uses bright colours and the designs tend to feature natural images, such as tropical flowers, fish and water. The Naha City Traditional Arts and Crafts Centre, in the heart of the city, runs classes for up to 100 people. Visit www.kogeikan.jp/international/english/.
Dive like a Water Bird
Ichimarine arranges MICE activities and teambuilding sessions, as well as water sports, entertainment and cultural experiences. It is also the only company in Japan that operates the Water Bird. The Water Bird is unique, as it uses a boat with an outrigger that cruises out into the lagoon, where guests climb onto a board that is then lowered beneath the surface of the water. Guests are given scuba masks and breathing devices. The experience begins with a gentle cruise offshore, where guests can see many different types of fish and other sea life, coral and just explore the ocean. It’s a really good introduction to the sea for people who have not done anything similar before. Visit www.ichimarine.com/water-bird1.html.
Get creative in a Bingata class
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Cave dwelling of a wonderful kind
Technically, the Valley of Gangala is not a new venue on Okinawa. It has, after all, been around for an estimated 100,000 years – but the operator has turned this ancient limestone cave complex into arguably the coolest venue on the islands. An added bonus is that it is completely unique.
The valley was formed when part of the roof of the cave collapsed. Ancient people lived in and around the valley – there is a burial chamber built into one wall and archeologists only discovered 20,000-year-old shell tools at the site in 2014, making them the oldest in Japan. Nature has also reclaimed part of the area, with giant bamboo sprouting upwards while the feathery roots of banyan trees hang down into the depths of the valley.
After a 15-minute hike through the valley, visitors enter a narrow passageway that slopes down into a spectacular natural cavern that serves as the venue for parties and receptions.
Limestone stalactites descend from the domed roof and are illuminated by spotlights, while one end of the cave can be fitted with a stage for entertainment and speeches.
A variety of meal options are available, ranging from the Premium Party Plan, catered by the Marriott Resort Okinawa, to more casual offerings. Traditional Okinawan cuisine is inevitably popular, including the local pork and beef dishes, as well as myriad types of seafood. Halal food is also available.
Orion beer is on tap for party-goers, while the local spirit – awamori – is also poured freely. Don’t miss an opportunity to try the selection of craft ales created by the Nanto Brewery, just a five-minute walk from the venue.
The venue has room for around 150 people seated, but can accommodate as many as 600 people for a concert.
MICE organisers looking to provide entertainment for delegates during a party in the Valley of Gangala should look no further than Diamantes.The seven-piece band is fronted by Alberto Shiroma, whose grandparents emigrated from Okinawa to Peru. Shiroma has returned to his roots and created a unique blend of Latin-infused-Okinawan music, which is addictive.
