Guide Small islands big on luxury

There are thousands of luxurious experiences on offer on the four main islands of Japan. But to get a taste of five-star seclusion and luxury like no other, those in the know are heading to the smaller, lesser-known islands. Here are six unique islands of Japan that luxury calls home.

 

 

Goto Islands: Scandinavian-style glamping 

The Goto Islands (Nagasaki Prefecture) comprise five main islands and countless smaller ones about 100km off the coast of Kyushu. Best known for its history related to Christianity, the archipelago boasts small island charm, sunny weather and beaches. You can also enjoy nature walks to reconnect with what you’ve been missing. 

On Fukue Island (Fukuejima), Asia's first "Hygge" Scandinavian-style glamping site awaits you at Nordisk Village Goto Islands. Set up in luxurious tents with all the modern amenities, the Nordisk Village grounds marry the cosy comforts of Scandinavian living with warm Japanese island hospitality.

The entire island is a treasure trove of activities including wharf and boat fishing, chartered sightseeing flights, scuba diving, stargazing and fun camp-themed activities.

 

 

How to get there

Fukue Island can be accessed via plane and sea. Fukue Airport is a 30-minute flight from Nagasaki Airport and a 40-minute flight from Fukuoka Airport. By sea, Fukue Port is approximately 1½ hours from Nagasaki Port via hydrofoil and approximately 3 hours 10 minutes via ferry. Nordisk Village is a short drive from both Fukue Airport and Fukue Port.

 

 

 

Yakushima Island: Modern luxury in an ancient forest

Yakushima Island (Kagoshima Prefecture) is a remote island covered in ancient cedar forests, waterfalls and golden beaches. 

Known as the ‘Alps of the ocean’, Yakushima is home to an extremely diverse range of microclimates and therefore an impressive range of wildlife. A day of wandering through the island will take you past thousand year old trees, ravines and waterfalls and sandy beaches along coral shores.

After a full day of exploring, a stay at Sankara Hotel & Spa is just what you need to rest, recover and indulge a little on the island paradise. 

Located on a hill overlooking the island where the subtropical forests and the subalpine climates intersect, Sankara Hotel and Spa is designed for you to leave your burdens behind and retreat into a form and style of luxury that no other island can boast. 

 

 

How to get there

Yakushima is accessible from the Kagoshima mainland via plane and sea. Yakushima Airport is a 40-minute flight from Kagoshima Airport. Yakushima’s ports, Miyanoura and Anobo, are approximately 2½ hours from Kagoshima Port via hydrofoil and 4 hours via ferry. 

 

 

Amami Islands: Beachside lap of luxury 

The Amami Islands (Kagoshima Prefecture) are a string of eight islands located between Kagoshima and Okinawa with the largest and most popular being Amami Oshima.

On Amami Oshima, apart from the wide range of water-based activities, you can explore Amami Park to learn about the culture, history and nature of the islands, visit Isson Memorial Museum of Art or learn how Oshima Tsumugi silk kimonos are made.

To enjoy the island’s sandy beaches, look no further than DenPaku The Beachfront MIJORA.

The luxury villas are tucked away on a tranquil beachfront in Amami Oshima with each designed to allow the stunning outdoors to blend effortlessly with the contemporary, Zen-influenced interiors. 

 

Spend your days chilling in your hammock, exploring the beaches on your doorstep and sitting in the lap of luxury—Amami style. 

 

How to get there

Amami Oshima Island is accessible via plane and sea. Amami Airport is a 1 hour flight from Kagoshima Airport, 2 hours from Osaka and 2 ½ hours from Tokyo. Naze Port (Amami) is approximately 11 hours from Kagoshima Port via ferry. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Amami Airport. 

 

 

Nakanoshima Island: Private island ryokan 

What makes the private and mysterious island of Nakanoshima Island (Wakayama Prefecture) so special is that it is an island dedicated to a single hotel: Kumano-bettei NAKANOSHIMA. 

 

Kumano-bettei NAKANOSHIMA offers azure ocean views from every room with a luxurious mix of both modern and traditional touches. Panoramic views can be soaked up from each of its six rejuvenating natural hot springs. Guests can also explore the rest of the island along a trail to the mountaintop complete with an observatory for an unbeatable view of the Pacific. 

 

How to get there

Nakanoshima is a private island that can be accessed by a 5-minute ferry ride from Katsuura Port (Wakayama Prefecture). The pier is a 7-minute walk from JRKii-Katsuura Station which is on the Kisei Main Line (Kinokuni Line). By train, Katsuura is approximately 4 hours from Osaka, 3½ hours from Nagoya and 7 hours from Tokyo. 

 

 

Taketomi Island: Exclusive retreat for mind, body and soul 

Boasting sun soaked landscapes and pristine beaches, Taketomi Island (Okinawa Prefecture) is one of the most spectacular jewels in Okinawa’s crown. The Ryukyu culture is perfectly preserved in the tiny island’s red-tiled, single-storey houses and friendly locals and can be explored on foot or by water buffalo cart. 

For those looking to an indulgent, yet still authentic Taketomi experience, you can’t go past HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island.

In keeping with the island traditions, HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island’s pavilions also feature red-tiled roofs and are surrounded by traditional wind-resistant walls made from stones of fossilized coral. Each of the 48 pavilions stand in quiet solitude so the serenity can be felt at all times. Here you are mere footsteps from world-class beaches, the pool or whatever modern hotel amenity takes your fancy.

 

How to get there

Taketomi Island is accessible from Ishigaki Island via ferry. Multiple ferry companies operate between Ishigaki Port and Taketomi Port and the journey takes 10 minutes. A free 8-minute shuttle bus from Taketomi Port to HOSHINOYA is available.

 

Shimada Island: Shikoku’s secret seclusion

Nestled off the east coast of Tokushima Prefecture with views of the breathtaking Naruto Ohashi Bridge, Shimada Island enjoys a low-key seclusion that many travellers overlook. 

Perfect for exploring on foot or by car, the quaint island is home to an exclusive 10-suite resort: Hotel Ridge.

Sitting on top of a tranquil cliff just one hour from the city of Tokushima, Hotel Ridge looks out ove the whirlpools of Naruto under the dazzling Shikoku sky. Each expansive suite provides the perfect vantage point for the Naruto Ohashi Bridge, the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and Setonaikai National Park, all while providing its guests blissful privacy. 

Blending traditional Japanese hospitality with modern design and technology, this wellness resort comes complete with a natural hot spring, fine dining and everything you need to indulge all the senses. 

 

How to get there

The hotel can be accessed via JR Naruto Station on the Naruto Line. JR Naruto Station is approximately 1½ hours from Takamatsu, 2½ hours from Okayama and 4 hours from Osaka (with 4 transfers). A free pickup service is available from the station (reservations required).