"SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO," which opened in 2022 amidst the healing scenery of Kumejima Island in Okinawa Prefecture, values ​​collaboration with the local community. Its simple yet highly designed space offers a special experience on Kumejima Island. This time, I had the opportunity to experience its charm firsthand, so I would like to share my review of my stay.

<Table of Contents>
・Designs that harmonize with tradition. "SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" blends seamlessly into the village.
・Interior spaces where design and lifestyle blend seamlessly.
・Enjoy Okinawan cuisine for dinner, and take a walk in the morning to find a packed lunch.
・Relaxing time. Enjoy a private moment at "SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO".

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Designs that harmonize with tradition. "SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" blends seamlessly into the village.

The "SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" we're introducing today is located in the Janado settlement in eastern Kumejima, close to the popular Eef Beach. Nestled amidst Okinawan-style fukugi trees, this private villa, available for only one group per day, offers a truly secluded experience.
"Shinminka" refers to a villa that blends traditional Ryukyu Islands houses with modern design. It is characterized by a concept that emphasizes nature, local culture, and collaboration with local people. This villa itself plays a role in proposing a new lifestyle, combining architecture and afforestation to contribute to the revitalization of the lost forestry industry.

Interior spaces where design and lifestyle blend seamlessly.

"SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" is a "parasol house" that simply reconstructs the origins of traditional living and harmonizes them with modern lifestyles. This building, which has won numerous architectural awards, is filled with attention to detail.

One of its most distinctive features is the sense of openness created by the spacious ceilings and the retractable glass doors that enclose the building 360 degrees. Designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature, it allows you to enjoy a relaxed, slow-paced lifestyle amidst beautiful scenery. The natural design, based on white and wood, is very pleasant.
The kitchen, dining room, and living room are seamlessly connected, while the toilet and bathroom are kept as separate spaces. The generously sized bathtub is appealing for its harmonious integration with nature. The spacious 390 square meter plot and the trees surrounding the villa provide complete privacy, allowing you to enjoy a completely private space without worrying about your surroundings.
The bedroom is spacious, combining a 5-tatami mat room and a 6-tatami mat room into one large space. The warmth of the wood and the refreshing feel of the tatami mats are very pleasant, and our child, who is not yet one year old, happily crawled around in it. The ability to finely adjust the brightness and angle of the lighting is also a welcome feature.

While exuding a luxurious atmosphere, the space was designed to make you feel like you're living in a travel destination, and even just sitting down in a chair and taking a breather made you feel like you were experiencing something special.

Enjoy Okinawan cuisine for dinner, and take a walk in the morning to find a packed lunch.

"SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" is located very close to Eef Beach, where many resort hotels are lined up. For dinner, we had made a reservation in advance at "Namiji," a popular restaurant on the island. It's conveniently located about a 5-minute drive away.

The main appeal of "Namiji" is its excellent value for money. A single serving of sashimi comes with 20 slices, making it a very satisfying portion. Furthermore, the goya champuru, with its subtle bitterness and exquisite seasoning, was incredibly delicious.
"SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" values ​​collaboration with the local community, and through a partnership with "Yamagen," a bento shop located just a 3-minute walk away, they offer original breakfasts for delivery. However, I thought it would be nice to enjoy the time spent walking to buy a bento, so I headed to "Yamagen" around 8:30 a.m.

Along the way, I was moved by the simple scenery of sugarcane fields and clouds. Kumejima, with its expansive natural landscape, somehow makes the sky feel wider.
There were two types of daily bento boxes available that day, both priced at 600 yen (tax included). They were healthy and colorful, featuring plenty of locally grown Kumejima vegetables, and the fish was seasoned perfectly. The bento boxes highlighted the natural textures and flavors of the ingredients, and the reasonable price was also appealing. The warm communication with the shop owner made for a memorable and wonderful experience.
*If you plan to use Yamagen, it is recommended to check the day before whether you can purchase a bento box the following morning.

Relaxing time. Enjoy a private moment at "SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO".

"SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" offers contactless check-in and check-out, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable stay without worrying about anyone else. Check-out is until 11 AM the following morning, giving you ample time to relax and enjoy your stay. The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking utensils and even a coffee grinder. Bringing in some locally renowned Makino Coffee beans and enjoying a coffee break is highly recommended.

For your trip to Kumejima, why not enjoy a special, relaxing time with your group or family at "SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO"?

SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO

Address

1-1 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture

In/Out

15:00/11:00

HP

https://www.shinminka-villa.com/

Namiji

Address

548-32 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture

TEL

098-985-7046

Business hours

11:00-14:00 / 17:00-22:00 Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, and other irregular days.

HP

https://www.instagram.com/kumejima.namiji/

Yamagen - Meals and prepared foods

Address

37 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture

TEL

098-985-8303

Business hours

8:00 AM - 14:00 PM, Closed on Tuesdays

HP

https://lit.link/4e797848-fbab-4827-96db-1563d1363ab0