SOCIAL WORKATION, a tour-based workation themed around “remote work at a resort” + “interaction with participants,” offers a unique twist compared to typical workations. The opportunity to make friends to explore and enjoy the stay enhances the overall experience.
Starting on July 18th 2022 for a week, we welcomed 17 monitor participants to try out SOCIAL WORKATION. Wanting to get a firsthand experience, I, Ichikawa from the staff, also joined in with everyone.
In this article, I’ll provide a detailed account of this week’s activities and thoroughly explain SOCIAL WORKATION!
▲ Photo: Staff member Ichikawa (second from the left)
Travel to Okinawa & Check-In
▲Check-In at ESTINATE HOTEL Naha
The base for SOCIAL WORKATION is ESTINATE HOTEL Naha. As a “tour-based” workation, around 20 participants are accepted per term, all starting their workation on the same check-in date. Participants gather at this hotel, so the first step is to fly to Okinawa.
With many LCCs and codeshare flights available, booking your tickets early can make travel relatively inexpensive. I flew with Solaseed Air for about 35,000 yen round-trip. It’s one of the recommended options, especially the flights departing from Haneda, with ample checked baggage allowance. The unique in-flight announcements are also a treat if you get the chance to listen.
From Naha Airport to the hotel, it’s about a 20-minute ride on the monorail, which starts at the airport, or around 2,000 yen by taxi. Given the amount of luggage for a week’s stay, I opted for a taxi. The driver was wearing a “KARIYUSHIi” shirt (Okinawan traditional shirt), which lifted my spirits and reminded me that I was truly in Okinawa.
▲1st Floor Lounge
Upon arrival at the hotel, the first step is to check in, which starts at 3 PM. If you arrive a bit early, the 1st-floor lounge is a great place to relax. I checked in shortly after 3 PM and met other participants as they arrived, exchanging greetings and introductions.
▲12㎡ Standard Room
After checking in, it was time to head to my room. The rooms are standard hotel rooms, with amenities and facilities typical of a hotel stay. At ESTINATE HOTEL Naha, many services, including amenities and room service, can be managed through a mobile order system via your smartphone, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay.
Orientation & Networking Event
▲Orientation Session on the First Day
After checking in, the orientation and networking event begins at 6 PM in the 1st-floor lounge. The orientation includes a briefing on hotel amenities and a tour of the exclusive lounge for SOCIAL WORKATION participants. Following the orientation, a networking event kicks off, with the 1st-floor lounge reserved exclusively for this occasion.
▲Networking Event Highlights
After introductions, participants enjoyed a variety of dishes prepared by the Estinate Lounge/Kitchen, along with Orion beer and various cocktails.
When asked about their plans in Okinawa, many mentioned visiting beautiful beaches, diving on remote islands, and indulging in Okinawan cuisine. While participants were eager to balance work with vacation activities, most had not set detailed plans. Instead, they preferred to make spontaneous plans with new friends they met during the event.
▲Group Photo After the Networking Event
Work Environment
As a workation participant, having a conducive work environment is crucial. Participants in SOCIAL WORKATION have access to three main workspaces in addition to their rooms.
- 1st Floor Lounge This space serves as a venue for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but outside of those times, it’s a flexible workspace where participants can freely use their laptops. During my stay, my morning routine included waking up around 7:30 AM for a run, having breakfast in the lounge around 9 AM, and then working there until lunchtime. The moderate flow of people and ambient noise, similar to a café, created a pleasant work environment for me.
▲10th Floor Work Lounge
The second workspace is the 10th-floor work lounge, specifically designed for working. It provides a quiet environment conducive to focused tasks. After lunch, I would move to the work lounge to continue working. For meetings, the private booths were perfect, while the single box seats were ideal for concentrating on individual tasks.
▲10th Floor Community Lounge
Lastly, the 10th-floor community lounge is exclusively for SOCIAL WORKATION participants and is available 24/7. This space is equipped with a kitchen and dining tables, primarily designed for meals and social interactions. However, during the day, many participants also use it as a workspace. The relaxed environment, where you can work while chatting with others, adds to its charm.
Surrounding Environment & Dining Options
Given the extended stay, it’s important to be familiar with the hotel’s surroundings. There is a FamilyMart convenience store just a 2-minute walk away, and both a 7-Eleven and Lawson within a 5-minute walk. Additionally, a MaxValu supermarket and Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore are within walking distance, ensuring you can easily obtain everything you need for daily life.
Dining Options
Daily dining is also an important aspect. While the area around the hotel may not be as bustling as Kokusai Dori, there are still plenty of places to eat nearby.
▲Okinawan Ricotta Cheese Dutch Pancake
The 1st-floor lounge at ESTINATE HOTEL Naha serves meals throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. SOCIAL WORKATION participants receive two breakfast vouchers during their stay. The breakfast menu features pancakes, sandwiches, and small dishes made with Okinawan ingredients, showcasing the hotel’s culinary expertise. The breakfasts were so enjoyable that I ended up eating there almost every morning for the entire week, even after using up the vouchers.
▲Mikado Diner’s Okinawan-Style Champon
Mikado Diner is renowned for its Okinawan soul food, including Okinawan-style champon (Stir fry) and Pork Tamago (egg). Conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the hotel, it became a frequent lunch spot during my stay. This diner is a perfect place to experience the authentic flavors and soul of Okinawan food.
▲Urizun: Aged Awamori and Ryukyu Cuisine
On the second night, I had dinner at “Urizun,” located in Sakaemachi Market. This restaurant offers a wide range of Okinawan dishes, from home-style cooking to royal court cuisine, all at reasonable prices. With an extensive selection of Awamori and aged Awamori, it was a delightful experience, allowing us to savor the authentic tastes of Okinawan food and drinks.
Weekday Interactions
During the weekdays, most participants spent their days working. Many worked in the lounge, allowing for conversations and connections while working. They often had breakfast together, and after work, they would coordinate their schedules to go out and explore nearby areas.
▲10th Floor Exclusive Lounge
While the 10th-floor lounge is primarily a workspace during the day, it transforms into a social space in the evenings. Given the limited one-week duration, participants were eager to make plans and engage with each other, fostering a lively and interactive atmosphere.
▲ American Village in Chatan Town
After work, some participants gathered to go out together. On the third day, we took a 30-minute drive from Naha City to “American Village” in Chatan Town. We enjoyed strolling through the American-like streets and indulged in hearty steaks, making for a fulfilling evening.
Weekend Activities
▲ Diving at Aka Island
On the weekend, we visited Aka Island in the Kerama Islands, known for its stunningly beautiful sea and designated as a national park. The island’s beauty, often referred to as “Kerama Blue,” attracts divers from around the world. It’s accessible by a 50-minute high-speed boat ride from Okinawa’s main island, making it a perfect day trip destination. Participants enjoyed diving in the crystal-clear waters.
▲ Onna Village Goomi
A popular spot among SOCIAL WORKATION participants, Onna Village Goomi is a sauna and BBQ facility located about an hour’s drive away. Nestled in nature, this place offers an outdoor sauna experience with stunning ocean views from a high vantage point. After a hot sauna session with Loyly, participants cooled off in a cold bath and then relaxed on camping chairs. This combination ensured a perfect unwinding experience. With 10-20 participants per term, group outings like this are always enjoyable.
CHECK-OUT
▲ Check-Out and Goodbyes at the Hotel
On the final day, check-out is required by 10 AM. Participants then went their separate ways—some headed home, others extended their stay, and some moved on to other tourist spots. Though it was a bittersweet farewell, many promised to reunite in the future with the friends they made during the stay.
Reflecting on a Week of Social Workation
How did you find this experience report? I hope it gave you a glimpse into the atmosphere of SOCIAL WORKATION. Despite being there for work, I greatly enjoyed the company of the participants, working together in the lounge, and exploring various spots together!
It’s amazing how many memories we could create with people who just happened to come together for this one week. As a staff member, I was pleasantly surprised by the connections and experiences shared. I look forward to seeing more participants gather through SOCIAL WORKATION, creating unique memories that can only happen here.
(Written and photographed by: Yuki Ichikawa, with additional photos from participants)
