When I was wondering where to stay on my first trip to Irabu Island and searched online for "Irabu Island hotel", I noticed that, hm, there were very few hotels. Miyakojima has loads of hotels, but Irabu Island has few, and the moment I thought "maybe a guesthouse or villa is better than a hotel", my search for lodging on Irabu Island began.
What I came to understand after actually staying on Irabu Island many times is that the small number of hotels is by no means a drawback; if anything, it is what preserves the island's charm. If lots of big resort hotels were built, the quiet island atmosphere would be lost. That is exactly why I could understand that many people choose guesthouses and villas over hotels on Irabu Island.
I will give a detailed introduction to the accommodation situation on Irabu Island, based on actually staying there many times. I will write about the differences between hotels, guesthouses and villas and how to choose, from luxury resorts to reasonable lodgings, covering facilities, location and hospitality, so I hope anyone looking for somewhere to stay on Irabu Island will find it useful.
- Irabu Island has a limited number of hotels
- Why people choose guesthouses and villas over hotels
- The appeal of luxury resort villas
- Reasonable guesthouses and guest houses
- Mid-range condominiums
- Points for choosing a place to stay
- Early booking is essential
- Book together with a hire car
- Frequently asked questions and answers
- Your lodging shapes how satisfying your trip is
Irabu Island has a limited number of hotels
Irabu Island has a limited number of hotels compared with Miyakojima, and I think many people are surprised by this at first.
The difference from Miyakojima
Miyakojima has plenty of various types of hotels, such as resort hotels, business hotels and city hotels, giving abundant choice. Hotels are also concentrated around the airport, so you can choose to suit your budget and purpose.
But Irabu Island is different: instead of having a small number of hotels, guesthouses and villas are the mainstream. There is a clear reason for this, and considering the island's scale and atmosphere, I think this form is the most Irabu Island-like.
Why there are few hotels
There are several reasons, and one is that the island is small. Irabu Island is smaller than Miyakojima, with a small population of about 6,000. There are not as many tourists as on Miyakojima either, so even if a large hotel were built, demand would be limited.
Another is to protect the island's atmosphere. Irabu Island is known as a laid-back, quiet island. Build too many large resort hotels and tourists would increase too much, changing the island's atmosphere. So I think the number of hotels is intentionally kept down, protecting the island's charm.
But that is Irabu Island's charm
I realised that having few hotels is actually a good thing. Because tourists do not come in great numbers as they do on Miyakojima, the beaches are quiet and the villages are calm. You could say that the relaxing environment is preserved thanks to there being few hotels.
At first I too thought "having few hotels might be inconvenient", but when I actually stayed, the quiet environment was incredibly comfortable. I felt for myself that this is Irabu Island's charm.
Why people choose guesthouses and villas over hotels
Many people choose guesthouses and villas over hotels on Irabu Island, and once you actually stay, the reasons become clear.
An overwhelming sense of privacy
Guesthouses and villas have an overwhelming sense of privacy, and villas especially are whole-building rentals, so you never run into other guests. Being able to spend time in a space all your own, undisturbed by anyone, is the best.
At a hotel there are other guests, whom you meet in the lobby or the restaurant, so the sense of privacy inevitably diminishes. Rather than being together with other tourists in a hotel lobby even after coming all the way to Irabu Island, I think having the sea to yourself at a villa is more luxurious.
When I stayed at a villa too, I could swim in the private pool, eat breakfast on the terrace, and completely enjoy time all to ourselves. You cannot get this feeling at a hotel.
You can experience the island atmosphere
Guesthouses are often run by locals, so you can experience the island atmosphere directly. They tell you recommended beaches, tasty diners, and island stories, and you feel a warm hospitality.
Hotels have good service, but it is businesslike, so the island atmosphere is hard to feel. At a guesthouse you can interact with locals, and sometimes be told information not found in guidebooks.
When I stayed at a guesthouse too, the owner told me "if you go to the fishing port at 6am tomorrow, you can see the catch being landed", and when I actually went it was really interesting. Information like this is unique to guesthouses, I think.
A kitchen means you can self-cater
Guesthouses and villas often have kitchens, and being able to self-cater is incredibly convenient. Shop at a supermarket on Miyakojima and cook on Irabu Island. Cooking for yourself using fresh fish, local vegetables and island ingredients is fun and economical.
At a hotel you end up eating in the restaurant, but eating in a restaurant every meal costs money and you cannot choose what you want to eat. With a kitchen, you can eat what you want, when you want.
When I stayed at a villa too, I bought tuna sashimi at a Miyakojima supermarket and ate it on the terrace. Sashimi eaten while looking at the Miyako Blue sea was exceptional.
Suited to long stays
Guesthouses and villas are suited to long stays, and many people stay a week or 10 days. With a kitchen you can self-cater, and with a washing machine you can do laundry. You can spend time just like in your own home, so even a long stay is comfortable.
At a hotel a long stay racks up costs, and you get tired of restaurant meals. But at a guesthouse or villa you can live at your own pace, so you do not get tired of it even on a long stay.
I once stayed 5 nights at a villa, and the lifestyle of getting up slowly in the morning, making my own breakfast, going to the beach in the daytime, and self-catering at night was incredibly comfortable.
The appeal of luxury resort villas
Irabu Island has several luxury resort villas, and for a special trip or anniversary, choosing this kind of lodging is also recommended.
With a private pool
Many luxury villas have a private pool, where you can swim whenever you like in a pool all your own. Being heated, you can enjoy it regardless of the season, and with an infinity pool you can feel as if you are one with the sea.
Famous luxury villas such as Feliz Villa Suite Irabujima Sawada and Villabu Resort all have a private pool in every unit, and the Miyako Blue sea seen from the pool is a spectacular sight.
I once stayed at a villa with a private pool for an anniversary too, and the time spent floating in the pool while watching the sunset was one of the most luxurious times of my life.
An oceanfront location
Most luxury villas are built oceanfront, with a full view of the sea from the room. Wake up and the sea is right there, you wake to the sound of the waves, and you gaze at the horizon while drinking coffee on the terrace. This kind of luxurious morning is unique to a luxury villa.
Villas such as Ronsard Resort Irabu and D's Grow Resort are all in spectacular locations, and you can fully enjoy yourself without taking a single step out of the room.
Full facilities and service
Luxury villas have full facilities, with everything you need: BALMUDA cooking appliances, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a wine cellar, a coffee maker and more. Some villas even have free drinks in the fridge (alcohol, soft drinks, tea), leaving nothing to be desired.
Some villas come with a free hire car, so you do not need to arrange one for getting from the airport to the villa, or for sightseeing. This kind of fine detail in the service raises the value of a luxury villa.
The price is high but worth it
Luxury villas are pricey, at around ¥40,000 to ¥200,000 (about US$270–1,330) a night, but I think they are well worth it. Considering the private pool, oceanfront, full facilities and meticulous service, it is by no means too expensive.
Especially if you stay as a group or family, the cost per person can be kept down, and for an anniversary or special trip, it is worth splashing out. You can have a stay that becomes a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
Reasonable guesthouses and guest houses
For people who want to keep costs down, there are reasonable guesthouses and guest houses too.
A homely atmosphere
The appeal of a reasonable guesthouse is its homely atmosphere, with the owner close at hand, treating you like family. Listening to island stories over breakfast together, being told recommended places, that kind of interaction is fun.
There is a warmth not found at a luxury villa, and it is especially recommended for solo travellers and long stayers. When I stayed at a guesthouse too, I became friends with other guests and went to the beach together.
Prices around ¥5,000 to ¥15,000 a night
Reasonable guesthouses and guest houses are priced at around ¥5,000 to ¥15,000 (about US$33–100) a night, so you can keep costs down even on a long stay. A room-only plan is even cheaper, and if you self-cater you can save on food costs too.
The facilities are not as full as a luxury villa, but the bare essentials are there and it is kept clean. Many have Wi-Fi, so you will not be inconvenienced.
A kitchen means you can self-cater
Many reasonable guesthouses have a kitchen too, and being able to self-cater is welcome. Shop at Maruki Supermarket or FamilyMart and cook for yourself, and you can save a great deal on food costs.
When I stayed at a guesthouse too, I self-catered every day. Bread and coffee in the morning, rice balls at lunch, sashimi and stir-fried vegetables at night, that sort of thing, and I kept my daily food cost under ¥1,000 (about US$7).
Simple but sufficient
Reasonable guesthouses are simple, but sufficient for spending time on Irabu Island. During the day you are out at the beach or sightseeing, so the only time you are in the lodging is when you sleep. In that case, I think a clean, comfortable guesthouse is enough, even without a luxury villa.
Rather than spending money on lodging, spending it on activities and meals may raise the richness of your trip.
Mid-range condominiums
There are also mid-range condominiums, not as much as a luxury villa, but with fuller facilities than a guesthouse.
Around ¥20,000 to ¥40,000 a night
Mid-range condominiums are around ¥20,000 to ¥40,000 (about US$130–270) a night, a price band roughly between a luxury villa and a guesthouse. There is a sense of privacy, the facilities are full, and the price is affordable, so it is well-balanced.
Staying as a family or group keeps the cost per person down considerably, so I think the cost performance is high.
Full kitchen and washing machine
Condominiums often have a full kitchen and washing machine, suited to long stays. You can self-cater and do laundry, so even a stay of about a week is comfortable.
Cooking utensils and tableware are all there too, so you can make proper meals. When I stayed at a condominium too, I bought Miyako beef and grilled a steak. Cooking in the spacious kitchen was fun.
With a pool or jacuzzi
Even mid-range condominiums can have a pool or jacuzzi. Not as large as a luxury villa, but being able to relax in a private space is enough.
At a condominium with a rooftop jacuzzi, you can soak in the hot water while looking at the starry sky. That alone makes it worth staying.
Consider the location too
When choosing a condominium, it is best to consider the location too. Somewhere near Toguchi-no-Hama or Sawada-no-Hama is convenient, as you can walk to the beach. Somewhere near Shimojishima Airport makes travel on arrival and departure days easier.
The condominium you should choose changes depending on how you want to spend your time.
Points for choosing a place to stay
Here are a few points for choosing a place to stay on Irabu Island.
Decide your budget
First, deciding your budget is important; clarify how much per night you can spend. Choose from among luxury villas (¥40,000 and up), mid-range condominiums (¥20,000 to ¥40,000) and reasonable guesthouses (¥5,000 to ¥15,000).
Once your budget is set, the options narrow and it becomes easier to choose. Rather than overstretching for an expensive place, it is better to choose somewhere you can spend comfortably within budget.
How many nights
The place you should choose also changes with how many nights you stay. For a short 2-day, 1-night stay, splashing out on a luxury villa is good, while for a long stay of 5 nights or more, a guesthouse or condominium with a kitchen is convenient.
Eating in a restaurant every day on a long stay costs money, so choosing a place where you can self-cater is more economical.
Who you go with
Solo travel, a couple, a family, a group: the place you should choose changes with who you go with. For solo travel, enjoying a homely atmosphere at a guesthouse or guest house is good, while for a couple, spending a romantic time at a luxury villa is good.
For a family or group, hiring a large villa or condominium and spending time all together is more fun, and keeps the cost per person down.
What you prioritise
Privacy, facilities, location, price, hospitality: think about what you prioritise. There is no place that satisfies everything, so prioritise the one thing you most want to value.
I prioritise a sense of privacy, so I often choose villas. But when budget is limited, I choose a guesthouse and enjoy the homely atmosphere.
Check the reviews
I recommend checking the reviews before booking. Reading the impressions of people who actually stayed gives you information you cannot tell from photos alone. Cleanliness, staff response, the state of the facilities, the surrounding environment, you learn the real information.
That said, reviews are personal impressions, so rather than taking everything at face value, treat them as a reference. Read both good and bad reviews and judge comprehensively.
Early booking is essential
Because Irabu Island has a limited number of lodgings, early booking is essential.
High season fills up quickly
In high season (July to September, Golden Week, the New Year period), lodgings fill up quickly, so it is best to book 3 months ahead. Popular luxury villas sometimes take bookings half a year in advance.
I once tried to book 2 months ahead and all the places I wanted were full, so I had to compromise. Booking early raises the chance of staying at the place you want.
Do not let your guard down even in the off-season
Even in the off-season (November to March, the rainy season), weekends and long weekends get busy, so do not let your guard down. Popular places especially take bookings even in the off-season.
If you book about a month ahead, I think you can mostly stay at the place you want.
Check the cancellation policy
When booking, always check the cancellation policy. Check in advance what happens to the cancellation fee if a flight is cancelled due to a typhoon and similar, and up to how many days before there is no cancellation fee.
Especially in typhoon season there is a chance flights get cancelled, so it is safer to choose a place with a flexible cancellation policy.
Book together with a hire car
Because a hire car is essential on Irabu Island, I recommend booking it together with your lodging.
Hire car shortage on Miyakojima
Currently there is a shortage of hire cars in central Miyakojima, so it is best to book a hire car at the same time as your lodging. In high season especially, hire cars run out quickly.
With a luxury villa that comes with a free hire car, you do not need to arrange one separately, which is easy.
Travel from the airport to the villa
It is about a 20 to 30-minute drive from Miyako Airport to lodging on Irabu Island, or about 5 to 10 minutes from Shimojishima Airport. With a hire car you can go directly from the airport to your lodging, which is convenient.
You can use a taxi too, but there are few of them so advance booking is needed, and you will need a hire car for getting around the island anyway, so it is best to hire one from the start.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about lodging on Irabu Island.
Q1: Are there hotels on Irabu Island?
Yes. However, there are few, and villas and guesthouses are more the mainstream.
Q2: About how much per night?
A reasonable guesthouse is ¥5,000 to ¥15,000, a mid-range condominium is ¥20,000 to ¥40,000, and a luxury villa is around ¥40,000 to ¥200,000.
Q3: What is recommended for a long stay?
A guesthouse or condominium with a kitchen is recommended. You can self-cater, so it is economical.
Q4: What is recommended for couples?
A luxury villa with a private pool is recommended. You can spend a romantic time.
Q5: What is recommended for families?
A large villa or condominium is recommended. There are multiple bedrooms and a pool too.
Q6: What is recommended for solo travel?
A homely guesthouse or guest house is recommended. You can interact with other guests.
Q7: By when should I book?
For high season 3 months ahead, and even in the off-season it is best to book a month ahead.
Q8: Is a hire car necessary?
Yes. There is little public transport, so without a hire car it is inconvenient.
Q9: Are there places with meals?
Yes. However, there are few. Many places have a kitchen and assume self-catering.
Q10: Is there Wi-Fi?
Most places have it. However, the speed can be slow.
Q11: What are the check-in and check-out times?
It varies by place, but check-in at 15:00 and check-out at 10:00 is general.
Q12: Are there pet-friendly places?
Few, but yes. If bringing a pet, advance confirmation is needed.
Your lodging shapes how satisfying your trip is
What I felt most strongly during my stays on Irabu Island was that your lodging greatly shapes how satisfying your trip is.
No matter how beautiful the beaches or how delicious the food, if the lodging is not comfortable, the satisfaction of the whole trip drops. Conversely, if the lodging is wonderful, you do not mind a little inconvenience.
When I stayed at a luxury villa, I swam in the private pool, ate breakfast on the terrace, and spent a relaxed time gazing at the sea, and I was happy just being at the lodging. The time at the villa was so fulfilling that you could enjoy yourself fully without going out.
When I stayed at a guesthouse, the conversation with the owner was fun, and I could hear all sorts of stories: the island's history, places only locals know. That kind of interaction made the trip deeper.
When I stayed at a condominium, I cooked in the spacious kitchen, gathered around the table as a whole family, and it felt just like being in my own home. This cosiness made the long stay comfortable.
When choosing a place to stay on Irabu Island, it is important to think not only about budget but about how you want to spend your time. If you want to value private time, a villa; if you want to enjoy interacting with locals, a guesthouse; if you want to self-cater on a long stay, a condominium, choosing in that way.
If you are planning to go to Irabu Island, I hope you will take your time choosing a place to stay. Read reviews, look at photos, check the facilities, and find the place that suits you. Book early so you can stay at the place you want.
Lodging on Irabu Island is not merely a place to sleep, but part of the journey. The reason people choose guesthouses and villas over hotels is, I think, that there is an island-style way of spending time there. Swimming in a private pool while gazing at the Miyako Blue sea, hearing island stories from a guesthouse owner, cooking with island ingredients in a condominium kitchen, those experiences make a trip to Irabu Island special.
I hope you too will find the place that suits you and spend the best time on Irabu Island.
