Taketomijima Akaneya

We came for a special anniversary, and the owner's care made the day really memorable. This time, they even took us around Taketomi Island and explained the places as we went, so we got to appreciate the island more with someone who knows it well. The room was spotless, the bathroom was spacious, and the various services made our stay comfortable. It’s the kind of inn that leaves you thinking you want to return, and I’d love to stay here again. ☺

The best part of staying overnight on Taketomi Island was seeing how it changed from daytime to evening and then morning. Once the day-trippers were gone, the island felt slow and quiet, and the crisp morning air had its own atmosphere. I was there for two days and came away feeling I’d experienced the island deeply, thanks to the attentive hospitality. The weather kept me from seeing the sunset or stars, so I have another reason to come back. I’ll definitely stay at Akane-ya again, and recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the island’s culture, nature, scenery, wildlife, and charm. Getting around was easy with unlimited use of bicycles, even when rental shops were closed early or late. The water buffalo riding area, Nagomi Tower, and West Pier are all close by. During my stay, schools were holding their closing ceremonies and most shops were shut, but they arranged a restaurant for me so I had dinner, and every dish there was delicious. For breakfast I had bread and homemade coffee on a bench at Kondoi Beach, looking out at the empty ocean. That was delicious too. My private villa-style room was very clean and had great amenities. Trees around it gave me privacy. I loved the handmade Taketomi Island map and the cute photo book of island cats. Both are worth a look.

I was planning to propose to my girlfriend during our 2-day, 1-night trip, and they helped me plan the itinerary and choose the location. On the day, they even secretly took photos and videos. They seemed really busy, so I don’t know if that kind of help is possible every time, but I’m very grateful. I definitely want to come back and say, “I’m home!” Thank you so much.

We were picked up and dropped off in a tuk-tuk, and the staff even took us on a tour of Taketomi Island. We felt like we were somewhere out of the ordinary. The hotel itself was beautiful, and we were very grateful for the thoughtful service during our wedding anniversary trip.