【OUTLINE】

Located within the World Natural Heritage site and National Park of Yanbaru, Yanbaru Distillery was founded through investments from local residents. Even after 75 years, over 70% of its products are still consumed locally, making it a distillery deeply loved by the community. In addition to its signature awamori, Yanbaru Distillery collaborates with local farmers to create distilled spirits and liqueurs made from regional fruits. Together, they offer a hands-on cooking experience rooted in traditional village food culture.

【HIGHLIGHTS】 

• Experience a distillery nestled in the pristine nature of Yanbaru, a World Natural Heritage site.
• A community-founded distillery with a history of over 75 years and a local consumption rate exceeding 70%.
• Beyond awamori, enjoy innovative spirits and liqueurs crafted from local fruits.
• Learn healthy, time-honored village recipes in collaboration with local farmers and residents.
• Discover Yanbaru’s culture, traditions, and way of life through food and drink.

【DETAILS】

In a traditional Okinawan farmhouse, discover the wisdom of Oogimi Village, famed for longevity, through a local dining experience featuring traditional dishes and awamori made with pure spring water.
You will begin by preparing homestyle dishes with local ingredients such as papaya and pork, staples of everyday Yanbaru cuisine.
The 5th-generation head of Yanbaru Distillery, who balances both sake-making and raising four children, will warmly welcome you like family. Once the dishes are ready, you will gather around the table and share a lively meal together.
Take about two hours to savor lunch alongside awamori and spirits from Yanbaru Distillery, surrounded by the rich natural environment and local hospitality.

＜Sample Menu＞

・Goya and Mimiga Salad
A refined appetizer combining Okinawa’s bitter melon with collagen-rich pig’s ear. The refreshing bitterness and delicate texture create a harmonious balance.

・Rafute (Okinawan Braised Pork Belly)
Pork belly with skin, slowly simmered in awamori and a secret broth. Experience melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and profound savory richness.

・Soki-jiru (Okinawan Pork Rib Soup)
A traditional soup of pork spare ribs, simmered for hours with kelp and radish to extract a deep, elegant flavor with a lingering finish.

・Non-Alcoholic Options Available
A curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages is also available to suit your preference.

【SCHEDULE】

[11:00] Meet at Yanbaru Distillery and join a guided tour

[11:25] Walk to a traditional farmhouse (5 minutes)

[11:30] Introduction of ingredients and recipe explanation while preparing for the cooking session

[11:40] Cooking experience

[13:00] Meal time

[14:00] Program ends (dismissal at farmhouse)

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：3 hours
• Meeting point：Yanbaru Distillery Co., Ltd.　[MAP]
  417 Takazato, Ogimi-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 905-1301
• Access：
  ・By local roads: 2 hours 30 minutes from Naha Airport via Route 58
  ・By toll roads: 1 hour 45 minutes from Naha Airport via Okinawa Expressway and Route 58 after exiting at Kyoda IC
• Language support：Japanese, English (conversational level)
• Included：
  ・Distillery tour
  ・Cooking class
  ・Apron rental
  ・Meal
  ・Beverages during the meal (Awamori, spirits, liqueurs, and soft drinks)
• Excluded：
  ・Transportation to meeting point
  ・Souvenirs
  ・English interpreter (available upon request)
• Clothes：Clothes that can get slightly dirty
  
• Other things to note：
• ・Children are welcome. The experience fee and meal contents are the same as adults.
  ・Please note food allergies in the reservation form.
  ・Vegetarian options are not generally available, but we may adjust for certain restrictions.
  ・As this is a natural environment, insects may occasionally be present indoors.
  ・The experience is unavailable during Okinawan Obon holidays and distillery closure dates.
  ・This is a request-based reservation. Please check your confirmation email before attending the event.
• Free Wi-Fi：Yes
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 6 days before the experience start time: 0%
From 5 days before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%