Ishigakijima Sunflower House - Hostel

One of our group of four wanted to try a guesthouse, so we picked Sunflower House this time. The staff were really friendly, and our room was clean. We walked to nearby Kabira Bay and were amazed by how beautiful it was. We also got to know the other guests, which made for a really fun trip. We’d love to stay at Sunflower House again if we return to Ishigaki Island.

Kabira Bay was our main destination on our first trip to Ishigaki Island, so my friend and I chose this guesthouse because it was close by. The facilities were clean, the staff were friendly, and we had a great stay. We’d definitely come back next time we’re on the island.

I booked this place because it looked appealing online and the price was low, and it turned into an ordeal I won’t forget. My single room was basically just a bed behind a partition. It was May, but the bed had a thick winter blanket thrown on it, covered in long hairs, and I vividly remember crickets or similar insects scurrying around on it. While I was trying to decide whether to head back into Ishigaki’s downtown area to find another hotel, the owner left for the day with the door wide open. I felt I’d waste the money I’d already paid, so I planned to at least shower before moving elsewhere, but there weren’t any amenities at all, not even towels. I tried turning on the shower with something from my own belongings as a substitute. The water sound or vibration seemed to startle cockroaches, which poured out of the hole in the wall around the pipe, like a movie scene. By then it was too late to move to another hotel, so I roughly straightened the bed and lay down. Being alone in an empty guesthouse with the front door unlocked was terrifying. Think carefully before booking here. Ishigaki Island isn’t that big, and you can explore it all while staying in the city center.

There’s room for ten people, but the facilities are old and the price isn’t low, so I don’t think it’s good value.