Recap of the market event “MUST BUY MARKET! ~URIZUN GARDEN~” on May 9th & 10th
On May 9 (Saturday) and 10 (Sunday), ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA hosted a two-day pop-up market event: MUST BUY MARKET! ~URIZUN GARDEN~!
What Is MUST BUY MARKET!?
MUST BUY MARKET! is a curated market where the staff of ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA gather things they genuinely love and want to share — products they’d personally recommend to anyone who’d listen.
ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA is guided by the concept that “travel is more fun when it’s a little unplanned.” We envision the hotel as a place where guests, staff, and locals naturally cross paths — sparking new discoveries, unexpected connections, and fresh passions. The idea behind this market is simple: find a shop you never knew existed, pick up something you love, and let that become the highlight of your next trip.
For this second edition, the theme was “Plants × Yachimun × Coffee” — perfectly in tune with the urizun season.
Urizun is an Okinawan word for the stretch of time between the spring equinox and the start of the rainy season (around the second to third lunar months, or late March to late April in the modern calendar). It’s the season when plants begin to bud and the air turns soft and gentle — a fitting backdrop for an event all about new encounters with nature and handcrafted things.
We’re thrilled to say it was a huge success. Here’s a look at the energy and excitement from those two days, in photos.
A Bustling Market Full of New Favorites
The venue was lined with popular plant shops from across Okinawa, alongside stalls selling yachimun (traditional Okinawan pottery) and macramé pieces.
Visitors spent their time chatting with vendors, searching for that one perfect find, and stumbling upon hobbies they hadn’t considered before.
Local plant lovers were beaming as they got their hands on items they’d been eyeing — and there were also touching moments where guests traveling from outside Okinawa bought their very first plant, right here at this event.
“Discovering a new hobby while traveling” — it’s exactly the kind of unexpected, meaningful encounter we hope every guest experiences. And watching it happen right in front of us was something truly special.
Make Something Uniquely Yours — Hands-On Workshops
This edition also featured two interactive workshops for guests to try!
POT PAINT: a workshop where participants painted their own original designs onto plant pots.
Macramé Weaving Experience: a hands-on session to handcraft a mini plant hanger.
Everyone who joined was fully focused, yet clearly having a great time throughout. Taking home something you made with your own hands — that’s the kind of memory that sticks with you long after the trip is over.
The Hotel Transformed into a Jungle — Décor by the Chef of ESTINATE LOUNGE NAHA
For this event, the first-floor lounge and terrace were completely transformed into a lush, botanical wonderland. And here’s the fun part — the person behind all that greenery was none other than the chef of our in-house restaurant, ESTINATE LOUNGE NAHA, who happens to be a passionate plant lover.
The attention to detail was stunning, and guests couldn’t stop taking photos in every corner of the space. For us, that was the best kind of feedback. Locals and hotel guests alike shared their delight directly with staff, and the chef’s handiwork earned reactions like “It feels like a jungle — I love it!” The whole venue stayed warm, lively, and full of good energy from start to finish.
A Moment to Breathe — Klasik Beans from COFFEE potohoto
Giving the plant stalls and workshops a run for their money in terms of crowd was the coffee booth. For this special occasion, we sourced Indonesian Klasik Beans from COFFEE potohoto, a beloved roastery here in Okinawa. Plenty of guests could be spotted wandering through the plant section, fresh cup of coffee in hand — the perfect way to take it all in.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out over the two days, and to all the vendors who joined us. Your smiles made it an unforgettable weekend.
ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA will continue hosting events like this on a regular basis. We can’t wait to see you again!
ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA is a lifestyle hotel inspired by Ryukyu modern design — the perfect blend of city convenience and resort atmosphere, with easy access from Naha Airport. We also offer tour-style workation programs for those who want to mix work and travel.
＜About the Hotel＞
Hotel Name: ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA
Address: 2-3-11 Matsuyama, Naha City, Okinawa 900-0032
Access: 10 minutes by car from Naha Airport along Route 58 / 5-minute walk from Yui Rail “Miebashi” Station / 6-minute walk from Tomari Port Terminal
Web ／ Instagram