Hoshino Resorts will open Hoshinoya Taketomi Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture on June 1, 2012. While Okinawa may be associated with summer resorts, winter is a great opportunity to experience island time. In this article, we will introduce Hoshinoya Taketomi Island and the four winter-only events the facility is preparing.
Text by Chieko Tsuruoka (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 16, 2025]
What is Hoshinoya Taketomi Island?
Hoshinoya, operated by Hoshino Resorts, is an accommodation facility that offers guests a luxurious stay under the philosophy of "a special seat for that moment." There are currently eight facilities in Japan, each of which is characterized by its unique and original concept.
Among these Hoshinoya hotels, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island opened on June 1, 2012. The concept is "A paradise on the island of the thrush." Uthugumi is a Taketomi Island word meaning "unity and cooperation." Formed by the uplift of a coral reef, the island is unsuitable for agriculture due to the lack of mountains or rivers. The island's inhabitants pooled their wisdom and cooperated to survive, and the word likely emerged from this historical background.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island was born out of this, and it values the local culture and natural environment. Guests can immerse themselves in experiences unique to Taketomi Island and enjoy island time amidst the traditional village scenery.
Equipment outline
Address: 1955 Taketomi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, 907-1101
Phone number: 050-3134-8091 (Hoshinoya general reservations)
Number of Rooms: 48
Check-in/Check-out: 3:00 PM/12:00 PM
Price: From 147,000 yen per night (per room. Tax and service charge included. Meals not included.) *Normally, reservations are accepted for a minimum of two nights.
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Port (pick-up service available from Taketomi Port)
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyataketomijima/
What you can experience at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island
What kind of island time can guests enjoy at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island? Here are some of the options.
Experience the traditions of Taketomi Island and live like a local
As mentioned above, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island follows the traditions of the area and provides guests with a space that makes them feel like they are living on an island.
The guest rooms are single-story wooden buildings, built in the traditional style of Taketomi Island, with roofs made of Ryukyu red tiles, stone walls made of Ryukyu limestone, gardens covered with white coral sand, and talismanic hinpun (a fence between the main house and the gate). A unique feature is that each building has a different shisa statue on the roof. Furthermore, the landscaping surrounding the guest rooms includes vibrant tropical trees and flowers at the front, and camphor trees at the back to provide wind protection. All elements around the guest rooms follow Taketomi Island's "Landscape Formation Manual."
The fact that all rooms are private spaces in a single building also emphasizes the feeling of living on an island.
There are a total of 48 guest rooms. Three types are available: "Zuki (Deigo)," a Western-style room for three people that is spacious enough for a family stay; "Gajoni (Gajumaru)," a Western-style room for two people with an open bathroom; and "Gangi (Inumaki)," a Japanese-style room for two people with soft Ryukyu tatami mats. All rooms are equipped with divans, so you can enjoy a relaxing space, whether you're taking a nap or just relaxing and gazing out the window.
Enjoy island time outside your room
It would also be nice to spend some island time outside of your room.
The lounge is open to the public at any time during your stay and has an entire wall surrounded by glass doors, allowing you to relax while enjoying the view or enjoying some "yuntaku" (a form of chatting in the island dialect).
Enjoy dishes made with the island's bounty at night and in the morning
The food is also one of the highlights of Hoshinoya Taketomi Island.
In particular, "Island Terroir" is a must-try. The Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island, are home to not only commonly known tropical ingredients, but also numerous island-specific food cultures nurtured by the natural environment and history. Meat such as pigs, which are said to be "eaten everything except the sound of the pig," goat meat served at celebratory occasions, and vegetables and herbs used in accordance with the idea that food is medicine...Island Terroir is a cuisine born from the encounter between these unique island ingredients and French cuisine.
To ensure privacy, guests are also able to dine in their rooms. The in-room dinner is the "Island Hot Pot Fragrant with Nuchigusa (Life Herb)." Nuchigusa is a general term for herbs that supported the health of the islanders on Taketomi Island, where there were once no doctors. This hot pot dish, made with an abundance of vegetables and seaweed, costs 16,335 yen per person (tax and service charge included).
The head chef is Nakasu Tatsuo, who has been at the helm since the restaurant opened in 2012.
Experience the island's nature and culture
You should also check out the activities that allow you to experience the nature and culture that can only be found on Taketomi Island.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island offers a variety of unique activities throughout the year, such as the "Yonna Deep Breath" which takes place every morning at sunrise on the adjacent Aiyaru Beach, the "Tinnu Deep Breath" which takes place on the poolside lawn under a starry sky, and the "Water Buffalo Carriage Walk" which takes you around the village in a special water buffalo cart in the morning or evening.
At this time of year, you'll want to check out the four events that are being held under the slogan "Winter is the time for authentic island time."
First, at the "Naki Yoi" festival, which has traditionally been held in November of the lunar calendar, a unique drink will be served, combining "Mishaku," a sacred sake offered to the gods, with awamori. The event will run from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The event will be held at the Yuntaku Lounge and is free of charge.
Additionally, the island hotpot served in guest rooms will use inochi grass harvested in winter. The event will run from December 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026. The price will remain the same as usual, at 16,335 yen per person (tax and service charge included). Reservations must be made by 5:00 PM on the day of your visit.
If you're visiting in the winter, you'll want to try the "Yunuku sweets," inspired by the barley offered at the February Festival, which has traditionally been held in the second month of the lunar calendar. On Taketomi Island, it's customary to share food in a tiered box during festivals, and this is an adaptation of the traditional sweets that are an essential part of that tradition. The event will run from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM. It will be held at the Yuntaku Lounge, and is also free of charge.
The final event is a winter farming experience and Jujicha (Tenjicha) experience. In Okinawa, snack time begins around 10:00 AM. It's a well-established custom to bring sweets and enjoy tea together. Inspired by this custom, this experience involves harvesting pea palms, also known as "island peppers," which are in season in winter, and tasting chai made with pea palms, modeled after Jujicha. The event will run from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, starting at 9:30 AM. The cost is 4000 yen per person (tax and service charges included). Please note that the event is limited to two groups of four people, and reservations must be made by 5:00 PM the day before.
