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Hoshinoya Taketomi Island has few rivals. 

The resort is the only five-star hotel on the tiny Okinawan island, and since its 2012 opening, has won over Japan’s travelling elite with its local luxury and idyllic address. 

The authentic experience is established from the moment of arrival; guests are driven up a sandy driveway to the wood panelled lobby, where they are greeted by bowing receptionists in traditional costume.

At check-in, green tea and oshibori (hot towels) are served, and visitors are invited to remove their shoes and relax on comfy daybeds. It’s a warm welcome, communicating to guests they are far from home, while, at the same time, making them feel right at home. 

Ryukyun villas with tatami floors and sliding doors 

Hoshinoya Taketomi Island has 48 villas, all of which sit on individual plots of land. Each pavilion has been designed to reflect the Ryukyun architecture of the island; think terracotta red roofs, wooden beams and of course, the guardian lions of Shisa.

The traditional style continues indoors, where you’ll find a large futon and queen bed surrounded by soft tatami flooring. A free-standing tub takes centre stage in the bathroom, and drawers unveil a trove of natural toiletries. The lighting is also intentionally soft in every room, allowing guests to fully enjoy the stars of Okinawa’s pitch black night sky. 

Notably, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island defies the ‘bigger is better’ policy adopted by many modern resorts. Here, there are no storied apartment blocks, no penthouses, and no towering palm trees. In fact, there aren’t even staircases – a direct result of the island’s restrictions on its buildings’ heights. Everything is level and grounded – save for the ‘haberu’, or tropical butterflies, who flap high above the red brick roofs. 

Food on Taketomi Island – a banquet of seafood, fruit and herbs 

Meals are served daily in Island Terroir, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island’s only restaurant. The menu spotlights French-inspired Okinawa cuisine, with dishes like Caridean shrimp and potato burdock offering a different take on Japanese food. There is also an emphasis on healthy ingredients, with the chef using local ‘nuchigusa’ (herbs) to add extra vitamins to each plate. 

Desserts are equally nutritious, with fruits like mango, kiwi and pineapple sweetly punctuating an already wholesome feast. For complimentary refreshments, head to the adjacent Yuntaka Lounge, where you’ll find cushy seats, a small library and even a Minsa weaving machine. 

Star sand beaches, ashiatsu massage and midnight swims 

There are also a number of luxury facilities at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, including the 46 metre heated pool in the centre of the resort. Open 24 hours, this elliptical-shaped bath is perfect for a gentle dip or an intense workout, and can even be hired for private use at night. 

There are also complimentary towels and loungers shaded by tarps and hedges, where guests are welcome to unwind with a glass of awamori.

Morning breathwork sessions are held daily at the resort’s Aiyaru Beach, which is just a short walk from the main lodge. Kaiji Beach, known for its star-shaped sand granules, and Kondoi Beach, which is ideal for swimming, are also nearby. For those interested in watersports and adventure, snorkelling, diving and caving is taught by the resort’s experienced instructors. 

The hotel also has a tranquil spa house, offering Japanese treatments like shiatsu and ashiatsu massage. Its trained therapists use ingredients from the island, such as seaweed, lavender and mint, for a truly authentic pampering session.

A stay at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is far more than a swish holiday; it is an immersion into a culture rarely glimpsed by even the most travelled of Westerners. 

So next time a client tells you they have ‘done Japan’, you know what to do. 

Rates start from £585 per room per night based on two sharing.