Enjoy a private, exclusive stay on Kumejima Island. Three recommended hidden gem accommodations limited to one group per day

Discover private, exclusive accommodations on Kumejima Island in Okinawa. How about spending heartwarming time with family and friends in a villa that harmonizes with the island's nature or in a comfortable, entire-house rental? We introduce three accommodations that offer unforgettable experiences, from breakfasts featuring fresh local ingredients to design spaces that blend tradition and modernity.

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・[Island Inn Okaeri] Enjoy breakfast with vegetables you harvested yourself! A private villa rental where you can enjoy a unique experience.
・【SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO】Enjoy a private stay in tranquility! A newly built traditional Japanese house surrounded by nature.
・【Guest House Sou】A traditional Japanese house stay that offers interaction with the host and an exquisite full-course meal.

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[Island Inn Okaeri] Enjoy breakfast with vegetables you harvested yourself! A private villa rental where you can enjoy a unique experience.

"Shima no Yado Okaeri" is a private rental accommodation that opened in May 2022 on Kumejima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. It is run by a couple who also operate the hidden restaurant "K's Garden" on Kumejima Island, and is known for its warm hospitality. The accommodation is limited to one group per day and is perfect for families, with rates starting from 4,650 yen (tax included) per night. The spacious 12-tatami mat Western-style studio apartment has ample space for children to play safely and is well-equipped. A kitchen, washing machine, microwave, and Wi-Fi are all provided for a comfortable stay.

The highlight of this inn is the optional "breakfast with a harvesting experience plan." Guests can enjoy a fresh salad made with vegetables they harvest themselves from K's Garden, as well as Okinawan home cooking such as Jushi (Okinawan mixed rice) and Sata Andagi (Okinawan doughnuts). The fish soup uses Gurukun (a type of fish) caught by Nobu-chan. The miso soup, infused with the savory aroma and flavor of the fried fish, is incredibly delicious.

Conveniently located, it's only about a 5-minute drive to Kumejima's main tourist attractions. It's close to famous spots like Tomari Fisherina (where boats to Hatenohama Beach depart), the Kumejima Sea Turtle Museum, and Tatamiishi, making it an ideal base for sightseeing. "Shima no Yado Okaeri" offers a memorable stay where you can fully enjoy Kumejima's nature and culture. With its reasonable rates and homey atmosphere, it's especially recommended for families traveling to Kumejima.

Island Inn Welcome Back

Address: 1899-3 Une, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture

TEL: 080-3908-7101

In/Out: 15:00/10:00

HP: https://www.shimanoya-okaeri.com/

Remarks: Please check our website for information on our hotel's original experience programs.

【SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO】Enjoy a private stay in tranquility! A newly built traditional Japanese house surrounded by nature.

"SHINMINKA VILLA JANADO" is a villa that blends tradition and modernity, opened in 2022 in the Janado settlement of Kumejima Island, Okinawa Prefecture, and is limited to one group per day. Based on the concept of a "new folk house" that combines traditional Ryukyu Islands houses with modern design, it was designed with an emphasis on the local nature, culture, and collaboration with the residents. The villa is located in a quiet location surrounded by Fukugi trees, and its spacious 390m² plot provides complete privacy.

The award-winning design features 360-degree opening windows and a warm, woody interior, creating a wonderful sense of unity with the surrounding nature. The natural interior, based on white and wood, allows you to experience a calm and comfortable slow life. Furthermore, while the kitchen, dining room, and living room are seamlessly connected, the bathroom and toilet are designed separately, demonstrating attention to detail.

The Eef Beach area, where many restaurants are located, is just a 5-minute drive away. Breakfast can be ordered in advance and delivered through a partnership with the nearby diner, "Yamagen." Contactless check-in and check-out are available, making for a comfortable stay without worrying about anyone else. Why not enjoy the open nature unique to Kumejima and the locally rooted food culture?

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/

【Guest House Sou】A traditional Japanese house stay that offers interaction with the host and an exquisite full-course meal.

"Guesthouse Sou" is a guesthouse that accepts only one group per day, nestled in the Gushikawa settlement in the heart of Kumejima Island, Okinawa. The old house, with its impressive Okinawan-style tiled roof, has a charming atmosphere reminiscent of the island's original landscape, warmly welcoming guests. The charm of this guesthouse lies in the feeling of staying in a traditional Japanese house while enjoying pleasant interactions with the host. The well-maintained 9-tatami mat room is somehow nostalgic and provides a relaxing space.

The highlight of this inn is the homemade cuisine prepared by the owner, Mr. Otake. For dinner, you can enjoy a luxurious full course meal featuring local ingredients, from pasta and appetizers to main courses and desserts. For example, the taglioni made with squid ink and the roasted Kumejima red chicken are exquisite. Breakfast also features plenty of local flavors, such as rice cooked in an earthenware pot and grilled red snapper marinated in miso, allowing you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the ingredients.

Around the inn, you can enjoy the tranquil nature unique to Kumejima. In the garden, Nora Jones, the cat who lives with the owner, relaxes, and if you take the gravel path behind the inn, you'll find a prime spot to watch the beautiful sunset over the sea. This inn offers a simple and heartwarming "travel like a local" experience, different from a typical resort.

Guesthouse Sou

Address: 659-3 Gushikawa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture

TEL: 080-9542-5343

In/Out: 15:00/10:00

HP: https://www.soukumejima.com/

Remarks: Please bring your own pajamas and toiletries. *Towels are available for rent.

Final thoughts

So, what did you think? We've introduced some private rental accommodations where you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere unique to Kumejima and special moments spent with family and friends. Be sure to check them out!

Yuhei Tonosho, a cyclist and photographer who delves deep into Japan

Born in 1993 in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Cultural History and Department of English Literature. While working as a salaryman, he is a travel writer who travels all over Japan by bicycle and mountain climbing. He captures and shares the changing seasons of Japan with all his senses.