Tinnukarla

Breakfast was delicious, and the care put into the inn showed in the little details. The owners and room were both wonderful, and when I wanted to eat a pineapple I’d bought on my walk, they cut it for me and brought it to my room after I asked for a knife. On an evening stroll I saw coconut crabs near the star-shaped beach. It’s a peaceful place where time moves slowly, nothing like the city, and the distinctive triangular building is worth seeing on its own. There was a small gecko in our room, but it was cute and became a lovely memory. It’s in the middle of nature, so there are lots of bugs. If that bothers you, stay at a city hotel near Ishigaki Port. 🙂‍↕️ I’d still love to come again.

Breakfast was a gentle Japanese meal, with consistently delicious grilled fish and good self-service coffee afterward. At night, even in midsummer, a cool breeze comes through. You can stretch out on a garden chair, listen to the waves, and look at the stars. The inn has an Asian feel and plenty of thoughtful touches from the owner. It’s well kept, though I felt some maintenance was lacking, but I guess that’s part of its charm. Maybe because of the coronavirus pandemic, the owner kept a comfortable distance from guests, which suited a quiet stay. One thing that could improve the stargazing: dim the garden lights or turn them down later at night. This inn is aimed at adults who enjoy nature.

The staff were very kind, and even gave us a ride home. Though they said they would keep conversation to a minimum because of the pandemic, their thoughtfulness still came through. I’d like to stay again. Our room was spacious and clean, with a bidet toilet. The front desk lent me insect repellent, and I had no personal complaints. You can enjoy the Milky Way and fireflies from the private open-air bath, but because the gardens are connected between rooms, you might want to wear a swimsuit. The walls are thin, so sound carries. Breakfast was much the same each day, perhaps because it was the off-season and pandemic period. There was plenty of fish and tofu, though I would have liked some local island vegetables. Hoshizuna Beach is a short walk away, shallow, and full of tropical fish. Look closely and you may spot clownfish and anemones. The inn lends towels and has running water and a washing machine, which makes it especially handy for swimmers.

I loved soaking in the room’s jacuzzi while looking out at the tropical scenery. The staff were kind, and breakfast was delicious too.