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STORY - Jul. 2025
Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa
The Story of the Original Design Patterns
Feel the breath of Yambaru in the palm of your hand.
At Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa, we use five original design patterns for the paper items we provide to guests, such as room key cases and pamphlets. These patterns were passionately created by our hotel staff and designers with the aim of helping guests who visit Yambaru to better experience the charm of this region. This story will focus on interviews with the two designers who led this project, sharing the development journey of these unique designs.
Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa features a total of five original design patterns. Each one draws inspiration from a unique aspect of the region: the ocean surrounding Yambaru, the leisurely flow of island time, the subtropical Yambaru forest, the warm sunset, and the diverse creatures inhabiting the Yambaru forest.
You'll find these captivating design patterns throughout the hotel, from the front desk to the guest rooms to the restaurant to the website, seamlessly integrating the essence of Okinawa and Yambaru into your stay.
These designs were brought to life through a collaborative effort between the hotel staff and designers during the hotel's rebranding in 2021. Driven by a deep appreciation for guests choosing to visit Okinawa, and a profound respect for the surrounding natural environment, the team engaged in numerous discussions to perfect each pattern.
The designs were brought to life by Kenichi Nakayama, Producer, and Takanori Hirano, Art Director, both from TANK Inc. We sat down with them to reflect on the creative process.
"The opportunity to create these designs arose through mutual acquaintances between Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa and TANK Inc.," Mr. Hirano explained. "From our initial conversations, a clear image of a sophisticated hotel design emerged, and it perfectly aligned with our vision. We immediately expressed our strong desire to take on the project. Given our previous experience in hotel wedding planning and design, we felt confident we could deliver compelling proposals."
When they began the design work, neither Mr. Nakayama nor Mr. Hirano had ever visited the hotel. The Covid-19 pandemic made travel challenging at the time. So how were they able to cultivate their vision for Okinawa and Yambaru without ever having been there?
"We started by brainstorming potential motifs," said Mr. Nakayama. "Several images of Okinawa came to mind, but the most prominent were, of course, the rich natural elements like the beautiful ocean and vibrant forests. We also delved into Okinawa's history, culture, and unique ecosystem, deepening our knowledge to explore ways to leverage the hotel's special location in Yambaru."
You can learn more about TANK Inc. https://ta-nk.co.jp/
When it came to design, Mr. Hirano emphasized that "maintaining a consistent concept was paramount." A key factor in determining the design's direction was the thorough explanation they received from the staff regarding the hotel concept: LOVE OKINAWA DISCOVER YAMBARU.
"As I pondered the hotel concept and let my thoughts drift to Okinawa, I realized that beyond the visible elements, the leisurely time spent at the hotel, the laid-back pace unique to the island, was also a significant characteristic of Okinawa," Mr. Hirano explained.
This realization gave birth to the "Island Time" design pattern. Many people seek peace of mind and moments of relaxation when they visit Okinawa, and the hotel is chosen as a place where they can experience just that. The calm, flowing time on the island was translated into a smooth, universal design.
"Furthermore, among the intangible elements, I thought about travel memories," Mr. Nakayama added. "For instance, the memory of a beautiful sunset sinking below the horizon. In our busy daily lives, we often don't have time to watch the sunset, but such scenery from a travel destination becomes a cherished memory, doesn't it? We envisioned a warm, inviting sunset design to capture the memories of those who visit."
"Before even developing the designs, we spent a lot of time within our company discussing what truly defines Okinawa's charm and what kind of place Yambaru really is. I feel this allowed us to get to the essence of it. And precisely because the hotel's concept was so firmly established, we were able to focus our efforts in one direction," Mr. Hirano concluded.
When people think of Okinawa, they often picture its stunning blue oceans. Our design patterns, of course, include a sea motif. However, the initial design for the ocean was a bit different from the final version.
"Initially, we proposed a sea design based on a brighter emerald green," said Mr. Nakayama. "We thought this was the quintessential color for tropical waters. But we were quite surprised when the hotel staff told us the Yambaru sea is actually a deeper blue. It really showed us how well the hotel staff understood and loved Yambaru."
The ocean surrounding Yambaru plunges deep just beyond its reefs, creating a stark contrast of white waves against the dark blue water further out. This stark contrast is quite unlike the lighter, azure tones found further south on the island. Because of the hotel staff's explanation, the designers pivoted away from emerald green to a primary deep blue design, ultimately capturing the ocean's true intensity.
The "Yambaru Forest" and "Yambaru Wildlife" design patterns also reflect a deep commitment to the unique character of this Natural World Heritage Site.
The Yambaru Forest design captures the powerful appearance of the region's subtropical trees and the intricate intertwining of their vines. You might even sense the true colors of the trees as if you were walking through the forest itself.
And finally, the Yambaru Wildlife design is inspired by the colors of the Okinawa Rail, a flightless bird endemic to northern Okinawa. The designers closely observed pictures of this bird and wove its unique body colors and distinctive red legs into a beautiful portrayal of the essence of life in the forest.
The design patterns, meticulously crafted through close collaboration between TANK Inc. and Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa, are now being used in various forms to welcome guests.
Mr. Kinjo and Mr. Anezaki from Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa, who oversaw the design pattern development, shared their thoughts: "Guests are genuinely delighted when we hand them their key cards at the front desk and explain the meaning of the designs," says Mr. Kinjo. "It seems the beautiful patterns are creating a new avenue for communication with our guests. All five designs are incorporated throughout the hotel, and when viewed as a whole, they perfectly align with our image. We believe they help guests feel comfortable and at home."
Mr. Anezaki added, "Yambaru has recently been registered as a Natural World Heritage Site, and its appeal is gradually growing. We hope that our guests will be inspired to learn even more about this incredible region as they are surrounded by nature and all of the imagery during their stay at our hotel."
From the visible elements like the ocean and forest to the intangible such as time and memories, Yambaru overflows with diverse charm.
Our hotel group embraces a "co-creation hotel" strategy aiming to serve as a gateway to the region. We engage a diverse group of populations—not just local residents, but also those with roots in the area, people traveling for work, and local businesses. By sharing the hotel's spaces, functions, and network, we aim to collectively create and enhance the appeal of the whole region for the whole region.
These meticulously crafted design patterns, though a subtle detail, play an important part in communicating about and connecting with Yambaru's allure. They'll continue to be utilized, helping our hotel to remain deeply rooted in the community.
