Umi to Sora Ishigakijima

The owner and host gets our sixth star. They were the most passionate, fun, and generous host we met in Japan. The brand new place was top notch, with exceptional comfort and breathtaking views in a fairy-tale setting. Absolutely incredible, and worth it beyond doubt.

The ocean view from the living and dining area and terrace was breathtaking. Looking out the windows felt like looking at a painting, and the high ceilings and thick pillars made the space feel so open. The wooden building was lovely, with a big garden that could fit 10 cars. After unlocking the electronic key, you enter through a spacious hall. Yaeyama Yoshito Soba and Tommy's Bakery are nearby. There are two bedrooms on either side of the living and dining area, plus an upstairs loft-style bedroom and terrace. The stairs have a handrail on the right but not the left, which keeps the space open, though you'll want to be careful, especially after drinking or with children. Each room has a robot vacuum, and one surprised us by starting in the middle of the night. We turned it off. The bathroom is spacious, with a washing machine and dryer, so you can pack lighter. The toilet, bath, and sink are separate, and there are two small round sinks in the bathroom. I'm not keen on smaller sinks, though I guess this style is popular now. The kitchen sink is deep but feels a little small. The kitchen has an induction cooktop, hot plate, electric kettle, toaster, I think, oven, and other necessary appliances. The condiments are just a bonus. I bought Yaeyama soba noodles and made yakisoba with Misaki beef and yakiniku sauce from Yuratik. It was delicious, one of my Ishigaki favorites. The separate trash bins for sorting garbage were handy, and a lot of the furniture and items seem to be from IKEA. If you like cooking, more types of pots and pans would be nice, along with a mix of Japanese and Western tableware. The view is fantastic, and the place is close to Yonehara Beach, Kabira Bay, and Sukochi Beach. I think families would enjoy it.

We were six people from three generations, my parents, me, and our child, and everyone was very happy with the accommodation. My son said the lodge was the most memorable part of our Ishigaki Island trip. The living room view is amazing, and the house was quiet at night, with only insects chirping. On our last day we finally got a clear look at the starry sky. There were so many stars we couldn't make out the constellations, and we saw a few shooting stars. While we were watching, my son noticed the ground glowing too. We found countless tiny lights among the gravel in the parking lot and a few sparks on the grassy side. Maybe they were firefly larvae or something. It was very clean. The property manager handled our questions about beds and check-in times smoothly over email, so we arrived feeling at ease. Parking was very spacious, and even our large rental car was easy to maneuver. The access path is narrow, though, and especially pitch black at night, so take care. As of March, construction was still going on in the building in front of us. We were a little concerned about the workers coming and going, but expect the exterior won't be a problem once it's finished. The amenities and kitchen equipment were sufficient from a housewife's point of view. The gas dryer was especially useful. The clothes we wore that day dried the same day, so I didn't have loads of laundry to deal with when I got home.

It was my second stay, and the room was just as clean and comfortable as before. Having a washing machine, dryer, and cooking facilities made it feel like living there, which was a real plus. It was cloudy, so I couldn't see the stars, but I'd definitely come back for the spectacular view.