Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, which opened in 2012 as the third Hoshinoya in Japan, placed the utmost importance on the spirit of "Utsugumi," a word in the island's dialect for Taketomi Island that means "unity and cooperation." Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is a resort where you can experience the island's traditions, culture, and natural environment that have been nurtured by the spirit of Utsugumi, while also experiencing first-hand the significance of continuing to protect these things together with the island's people. In this first of two stays, we will introduce the sense of happiness you can experience at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, which has evolved while inheriting the island's history and traditions, and is based on the concept of "a paradise on the island of Utsugumi."
Relax in the "Kaze no Ma" where the "Paikaji" wind blows through
The glittering light of the southern islands pours down on the garden, which is covered with white sand. This white sand is made from crushed coral. The stone walls surrounding the garden, called "gukku," are also made of piled up Ryukyu limestone, which is formed from coral.
Beyond the cupboard, you can see the red tiles of the neighboring guest room, where the tropical sun is also pouring down. Bougainvillea flowers are blooming in abundance against the lush greenery.
The large windows facing the south garden and the windows on the opposite side can be opened to let in a breeze. The islanders call this unexpectedly cool southerly breeze "paikaji," which is hard to believe coming from the sun-drenched garden. The living room of the guest rooms at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, through which the "paikaji" blows, is named "Kaze no Ma."
It's quiet, with only the clouds floating in the blue sky moving slowly.
A few hours from Tokyo via Ishigaki Island. When you sit in your room at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island and enjoy the Paikaji, those few hours pass by in an instant, and you feel your body and mind freed and assimilated into the time and air of the island.
There are three types of guest rooms in total: Western-style rooms with wooden floors for two or three people, and a Japanese-style room with tatami mats for two people. All are perfectly spacious, ranging from 2 to 3 square meters. The photo shows a Western-style room for two people called "Gajoni (banyan tree)."
The bathtub in the Western-style room is placed on the same floor as the living room, creating an open space unique to a tropical resort.
Following the traditional village scenery of Taketomi Island that has been passed down through the generations
The site area of Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is approximately 2m48. The vast grounds are home to XNUMX guest rooms and public spaces such as restaurants and a pool.
The area of each independent guest room building, including the garden, is around 260 to 300 square meters. All of the rooms are wooden, single-story buildings with red tiles and are built in the style of traditional Taketomi Island houses.
But it's not just the guest rooms. The gukku that surround the premises, the white sand road that winds between them, and the tropical flowers in full bloom are all part of the traditional village scenery that stands in the heart of Taketomi Island.
By following the traditional village landscape that has been protected by the islanders, the island's culture and traditions nurtured by the spirit of "Utsugumi" are also deeply rooted at HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island.
The roofs of the guest rooms are decorated with shisa statues that are said to protect the home. Each room has a different expression, so it's fun to compare them.
The height of the cupboard is just right, allowing you to feel private while still being aware of the people around you.
Once you have taken a break, you can take a stroll around the facility. However, because the grounds are so vast, we recommend that you have someone come to pick you up in an electric cart until you get used to the area.
The electric cart has arrived. Looking out at the garden from the living room, you can see only the top of the moving cart through the gook. The gooks are lined up at an exquisite height, allowing you to feel the presence of people walking outside and the occasional cart passing by.
"Each guest room is at a height that ensures privacy while still maintaining a connection to the outside," the staff explained, and I understood. The gukku in the old village on Taketomi Island is also about the same height.
The gently curving white sand roads and red tiled roofs create the same scenery as the villages on Taketomi Island, which has been designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Listen to the sounds of the sanshin at the Yuntaku Lounge
A sanshin performance had begun in the Yuntaku Lounge. Old Okinawan songs flowed leisurely along with the melody of the sanshin. Guests were relaxing on sofas and listening to the music, letting themselves drift away with the flow of time. It was the ultimate, relaxed moment that can only be experienced on a southern island.
This lounge is open to the public at any time during their stay, and not only do they hold daily performances of sanshin and traditional Japanese songs, but they also have a variety of programs, such as a traditional weaving experience and "Island Moments," where you can enjoy freshly made snacks. It's also nice that they provide free drinks such as shekwasha juice and Taketomi Island's nuchigusa tea.
"Yuntaku" is a Taketomi Island word that means "chat." In this open-minded lounge, "yuntaku" flowers were in full bloom everywhere.
At the Yuntaku Lounge, sanshin performances and traditional Japanese songs are held every day from 16:45 p.m. for 30 minutes, titled "Yunagi no Uta."
The Yuntaku Lounge also has a library corner filled with books and photo collections about the island's history and culture.
An oval pool that blends into the rich nature
There is an oval-shaped pool located almost in the center of the facility.
The gently oval shaped pool sparkles blue, like a big blue puddle. Its unpretentious shape is somehow soothing to the soul. The poolside terrace is a little far away, so the waterside is simple in itself. You can enjoy the blue sky above and the greenery surrounding the pool to your heart's content while playing in the water.
You can also enjoy a special moment on the poolside terrace, located in an area overlooking the sparkling pool, as you feel the pleasant breeze on your whole body.
The pool is open 24 hours a day, all year round. The building you can see in the background is the "Gathering Hall," which houses the "Yuntaku Lounge" and restaurant.
Get energized with a "Shimanchu" breakfast
The next morning after enjoying the "Island Hotpot with the Fragrant Nuchigusa" in the guest room, we had breakfast in the dining room. Perhaps because we had eaten a lot of "Nuchigusa" harvested in the Yaeyama Islands, we woke up feeling refreshed and hungry.
There are two types of Japanese food. I chose the "Island Nine-item (Kunushina) Breakfast," an adaptation of Okinawa's traditional multi-tiered box cuisine known as "Usanmi." A multi-tiered box divided into nine sections is presented. Rafute, purple yam zenzai, island tofu with white sesame sauce, and meebai chawanmushi... The dishes unique to the southern islands are lined up in a vivid and orderly fashion.
The people of Taketomi, who work hard in the fields from early in the morning, apparently value breakfast in order to gain energy. A hearty meal of "Jushii," a traditional rice dish made from waste, and miso soup with large pieces of wheat gluten, will give you energy for the day, just like the breakfast the islanders eat.
The other Japanese dish I saw at the table next to me, the "Yushi Tofu Porridge Breakfast," and the Western dish "Sea Breeze Breakfast," featuring bouillabaisse, also looked very delicious.
After breakfast, it's time for the much-anticipated "morning buffalo cart ride."
The night before, I enjoyed the "Island Hot Pot with the Fragrance of Nuchigusa" in my guest room. Domestic beef and pork are shabu-shabued in a pre-flavored soup. The abundant island vegetables, such as nuchigusa, handama, and island carrots, are delicious.
"Gosami" is a general term for the stacked box meals served to guests during traditional Okinawan events. In addition to two types of breakfast, Japanese and Western, you can also order egg dishes, fruit, bread, and more a la carte (charge applies).
Take a leisurely ride in a buffalo cart along the white sand road that winds through the rows of houses in the island's villages.
As the buffalo emerged, pulled by the reins, we were first surprised by its size. The buffalo's name was "Ryuta," and it had dark brown skin and impressive horns. He was 12 years old, which would be about middle age in human terms, but his shiny black body and curved horns were very impressive. He pulled the cart carrying the guests and we set off.
At times, there are more than 10 guests. I felt a little sorry for the elderly "Ryuta", but I felt relieved when he explained that "it's a weight that a water buffalo can pull without difficulty."
We walked slowly along the narrow white sand roads between the villages. Our pace was a little slower than a human walking speed. The bougainvillea flowers blooming on the gukku passed in front of our eyes. The buffaloes skillfully turned around the narrow crossroads on their own without the guide having to hold the reins. They apparently remembered the route without being told.
Our guide, who had been giving a humorous talk about the island's history and culture, began to sing while strumming the sanshin. The comfortable rocking of the water buffalo cart, the booming singing, and the red-tiled houses visible through the gukku. The 30-minute ride through the village was a perfect example of the leisurely flow of island time.
After touring the village for about 30 minutes, we headed to the starting point. The buffaloes are docile, so you can take commemorative photos with them. The "Morning Buffalo Carriage Walk" is a program exclusively for guests staying at "Hoshinoya Taketomi Island".
Visit the former Yonaguni Residence, the origin of Hoshinoya Taketomi Island
"Would you like to see the building that became the origin of Hoshinoya Taketomi Island?"
During my stay, a staff member guided me to the "Former Yonaguni Residence" with these words. Built in 1913 (Taisho XNUMX), this one-story wooden house with red tiles is a typical example of the homes of Taketomi Island and the life that has been lived there. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the national government.
The view of the garden from the most important room in the house, known as "Ichibanza," and the atmosphere of the gokku that runs around the grounds are certainly reminiscent of the guest rooms at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island.
In fact, Taketomi Island has a resident charter called the "Taketomi Island Charter." The five basic principles of "not selling," "not polluting," "not disturbing," "not destroying," and "preserving" traditional culture and nature are adhered to by not only the island's residents, but also by Hoshinoya Taketomi Island as an organization.
Not only do the guest rooms' design originate from the "former Yonaguni House" and follow the same appearance as the entire village, but the staff also actively participate in various island events, including religious ceremonies, to deepen their connections with the islanders, all because they share the spirit of this charter.
Returning to the facility and taking another look at the guest rooms and the surrounding area, you realize that the facility has not simply followed the scenery, but has paid respect to the culture and history of the island that is embodied there, which is precisely why it has become a "paradise on the Island of the Nightingale."
The first room of the "Old Yonaguni Residence." It was used as a room to welcome important guests and had an altar.
After touring the "Former Yonaguni Residence," we had lunch at "HaaYa nagomi-café." Popular dishes include the "Taco Rice" and "Seasonal Island Vegetable Curry" shown in the photo. The staff at "Hoshinoya Taketomi Island" also frequent these cafes.
In the evening, we plan to have a "Murikabushi Dinner" where we will enjoy French cuisine under the stars. Today, the sky will be blue all day and there will be only a few clouds. We can look forward to a starry sky.
Photos by Kayo Takashima
text by Sakurako Miyao
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