A luxury resort in Okinawa has incorporated pickleball into things to do during a stay.Halekulani Okinawa begins offering pickleball using its tennis courts as a resort activity. One court for one hour is 5,100 yen and can be used by up to 4 people, in an empty-handed spec including towels, water, and rental equipment, incorporating the sport into how you spend time at the resort.
A resort activity using the tennis courts
At Halekulani Okinawa, markers for pickleball are set up on the tennis courts in advance to prepare the playing environment. Business hours are 10:00 to 19:00 (last reception 18:00), and a reservation is required up to one hour before the desired time. It's positioned as an experience to enjoy casually between resort stays.
Pricing you can enjoy empty-handed
The fee is 5,100 yen per court per hour. Towels, bottled water, and rental equipment (4 adult paddles, 2 balls, shoes) are included. The capacity per court is up to 4 people. Wear (a polo shirt and shorts set) is provided as a 1,100-yen add-on option. Playing requires wearing clothing and shoes with fixed heels, and you can't play in a swimsuit.
Conditions of use and fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | 5,100 yen (per court per hour / towels, water, rental equipment included) |
| Capacity | Up to 4 people per court |
| Hours | 10:00-19:00 (last reception 18:00) |
| Booking | Required up to one hour before the desired time |
| Wear | Polo shirt & shorts 1,100 yen (option) |
| Age conditions | Those 12 and under require an accompanying guardian aged 13 or older / those 60 and older may need a signed medical consent form |
The move by resorts to incorporate the sport
The move by lodging facilities to incorporate pickleball as a facility is spreading at resorts and hotels within Japan. The ease of being able to offer it just by drawing markers on existing tennis courts means a low barrier to introduction for facilities. The Halekulani Okinawa case is a good example of a luxury resort using the sport as a way to raise stay value.
Impact on readers
Pickleball is added as an option for an Okinawa trip. Because you can take part empty-handed with rental equipment included, and age conditions are set up so that families can enjoy it too, it's easy to consider as a new way to spend time at a resort.
Summary
Halekulani Okinawa's effort of repurposing its tennis courts to offer it casually shows the potential of pickleball as a resort activity. The flow of incorporating the sport into stay memories will boost its spread at tourist destinations.
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