About this hotel
General information
HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island is a resort on Taketomi, a tiny coral island in the Yaeyama group at the far southern end of Okinawa. Only around 350 people live on the island, which is roughly 9 km around, and its village of red-tiled roofs and white sand lanes is protected as a preservation district for traditional buildings. The resort deliberately follows the island's ways: its houses are built to the local architectural guidelines, and guests are invited to spend their days much as the islanders do.
The grounds hold 48 separate villas. Each is enclosed by a low wall of Ryukyu limestone, with a hinpun screen wall at the entrance, as island custom dictates, shielding the yard from the lane. Paths are laid with white coral sand, living rooms face south to catch the sea breeze, and tucked among the houses is a large pool shaped after the island's old wells.
Location
The resort lies on Taketomi Island in the Ryukyu chain. The journey starts at Ishigaki Airport, reached by direct flight or via Naha; from there it is 30–45 minutes by taxi or bus to the island ferry terminal, then a 10-minute ferry ride to Taketomi Port. The hotel's own bus meets the boats, runs in line with the ferry timetable and takes 10 minutes to the villas. Late-day sailings are often cancelled because of wind and waves, so the hotel suggests boarding by 5 pm; there is no car parking.
Spa
HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island Spa occupies its own building and welcomes guests aged 18 and over. Hour-long massages built around ingredients gathered on the island are offered three times a day, in the afternoon, late afternoon and evening. Adults can also join the Island Holistic Wellness Stay, a programme of mindful practices drawn from Taketomi's nature and culture.
Sports & leisure
The hotel arranges experiences that open up the island and the Yaeyama sea:
- Sailing on a sabani, the traditional Ryukyu wooden boat, steered by islanders
- Marine outings to the corals and tropical fish around the Yaeyama Islands
- Lessons in island crafts and traditions, and jimami peanut tofu making in an old house
- A village walk on the role of water in island life, its history and its environment
- A weekly evening with an island singer: sanshin music, unhurried yuntaku conversation and local awamori
- Night tours to take in the starry sky
- Nature tours to Iriomote, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and a self-guided day trip to Iriomote and Yubu Island
- Guided encounters with the nature of Ishigaki (ages 10 and over)
Restaurants & bars
Room rates do not include meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner are reserved separately.
- Island Terroir — a French dinner in the resort restaurant built on produce from across the Yaeyama Islands
- Shimakaji A La Carte — Okinawan dishes with a modern touch, including Gozen sets, served at dinner in the restaurant
- Breakfast in the restaurant — a choice of nine traditional Okinawan small plates, a congee with soft Okinawan tofu, or a seafood breakfast with bouillabaisse
- Lunch — Okinawan specialities in the resort restaurant
- Herbal Island Chilled Hot Pot — an in-villa dinner of island hot pot with two kinds of meat, Okinawan vegetables and fragrant nuchigusa herbs
- Yuntaku Lounge — an open-air lounge, open around the clock and cooled by the island breeze, serving local treats and Taketomi herbal tea
Swimming
Set in a secluded hollow among the villas, hidden from the village, is a 46-metre oval pool. It is open 24 hours a day all year, with the water temperature adjusted to the season; a terrace shaded by tropical trees, lawns for lying out under the stars and poolside drinks complete it. Aiyaru Beach, with its natural shoreline, can be reached on foot from the resort, and the island also has shallow, white-sand Kondoi Beach and Kaiji Beach, known for its star sand.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Rooms
The 48 villas, for one to three guests, each sit in a yard of white coral sand behind a low stone wall. Large south-facing glass doors let in sun and breeze, and opening the doors on the north side draws air straight through the house.
Every villa has a bathroom with a bathtub and a toilet with an electronic bidet seat, a Bluetooth speaker, kettle, minibar, safe, loungewear, pyjamas, slippers, bath amenities and face lotion, towels, a hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.
Kyangi
A villa for two with soft tatami flooring, two beds and a long sofa made for stretching out, looking onto the garden.
Gajoni
A south-facing villa for two, in keeping with island custom, with a king-size bed, a spacious living area with a comfortable sofa and a large bathtub.
Zuki
A south-facing villa for up to three guests with three single beds (a king-size bed can be arranged on request), well suited to families.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.