Kukuru camping

The camper van was comfortable enough at night thanks to its air conditioning, and spending time in the natural setting made the stay memorable. Kukuru San-ai Nature School offers a different kind of satisfaction, from enjoying nature directly and taking on some everyday inconveniences to sharing time with friends. The owner, Mr. Okudaira, explained that “Kukuru” means “heart” in the Okinawan language. We arranged a barbecue after calling on the morning of our booking. We bought our own food and charcoal, then enjoyed a bonfire and barbecue that evening. If you ask ahead, you can also cook rice over a traditional stove fire or steam meat in the hot sand after the bonfire. Our rice came out a little hard because we weren't used to the stove, but it tasted especially good. We chose the camper van rather than the cabin-like accommodation. Later that night, we drove to the beach where it was parked. It was a clear new moon night, so we drank on the beach, watched the stars, and fell asleep there. The next morning, Mr. Okudaira kindly suggested places to visit on Miyako Island and drove us around when he had time. He showed us several spots, including beaches where sea turtles can be seen and bars with views of the stars, places that would cost money on a local tour. That was his kindness during his free time, though, so it isn't a guaranteed service like a tour. It's best to tell him what you'd like to see or do. His generosity and the nature made this one of the memories of our trip I won't forget. The island connection and nature offer something I didn't find at the many luxury resorts there.

If the idea of camping in a jungle tent sounds good to you, this is a really unusual place to stay 😂. We saw fireflies, jewel beetles, geckos, tree-climbing lizards, stick insects, and ruddy kingfishers, so animal lovers should enjoy it too. The owner is fun and knows hidden places around Miyakojima. We camped, built a treehouse, had BBQs, and watched the stars in a sugarcane field 😊🎶.

Think of Kukuru more as a campsite than a regular lodging. The toilets and showers are there, but the showers are basically cold, and mosquitoes are part of the deal, so come prepared. I was really touched by how welcoming the owner was. He seems to prefer longer stays, and for guests staying more than three days he shared his own recommendations that aren't in guidebooks. One was Mount Tenkai, somewhere on Miyakojima, with nearly 360-degree ocean views. I went twice and saw both sunrise and sunset, and on a full moon you can even see the moonset. At night I had the rare experience of falling asleep outside under the stars and shooting stars 🌠. We also got to have a barbecue, which was great.

I want to come back, partly because of the way Mr. Okudaira treated me. He taught me about Miyako Island's history, customs, and character, along with plenty of hidden spots. I felt drawn to him as a person, beyond his role as the inn owner. Just spending time there brought me across all kinds of plants, insects, birds, and other creatures. I think being in that environment wakes up senses people already have. It's a great fit for anyone curious about nature. Thank you, and I hope to see you again, Mr. Okudaira!