- Is a guesthouse with its own diner really the best value going?
- So what is Minshuku Maruyoshi really like?
- The rooms are pure business hotel
- The thing about Maruyoshi diner being genuinely delicious
- A guesthouse style with no yuntaku
- A great location and easy access
- The pros and cons I found from actually staying
- Who is it right for?
- The annexe "Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya" as an option
- Frequently asked questions
- Q: What are the check-in and check-out times?
- Q: Is there parking?
- Q: Is Wi-Fi available?
- Q: What is the breakfast like?
- Q: Can I have dinner?
- Q: Can I have the Jumbo Katsu Curry?
- Q: Can I stay as a solo traveller?
- Q: Is it okay with children?
- Q: Is there a convenience store nearby?
- Q: Are credit cards accepted?
- For cheap, tasty lodging on Irabu Island, choose Minshuku Maruyoshi
Is a guesthouse with its own diner really the best value going?
When I was hunting for somewhere to stay on Irabu Island, I searched for "cheap guesthouse with good food", and the very first result was Minshuku Maruyoshi. Room-only from ¥5,000 (about US$33), or ¥6,000 (about US$40) with breakfast. Honestly, my first thought was, "That is so cheap it makes me nervous."
But the reviews were all things like "the diner food is unbelievably good", "the Jumbo Katsu Curry is insane", and "even the locals eat here". A guesthouse where the diner is rated higher than the rooms themselves: that is an oddly intriguing combination.
When I actually stayed, it was nothing like the guesthouse I had pictured, in both good ways and bad. The private rooms feel like a business hotel, so your privacy is properly protected, and the ground-floor diner buzzes with locals. But there is zero yuntaku (the casual chatting between guests that Okinawan guesthouses are famous for). At first I was thrown by "a guesthouse with no socialising at all?", but in the end that turned out to be rather comfortable.
This time I am writing the real picture of Minshuku Maruyoshi for anyone looking for cheap, tasty lodging on Irabu Island. What is a diner-famous guesthouse actually like? Is there a catch behind the low price? I want to answer those questions based on my own experience.
So what is Minshuku Maruyoshi really like?
Minshuku Maruyoshi is a three-storey guesthouse in the Kuninaka district of Irabu Island, right next to Irabu Post Office. It is about a 25-minute drive from Miyako Airport, or about 5 minutes from Shimojishima Airport. A local bus route runs nearby too, so you can get here even without a hire car, just about.
The 2nd and 3rd floors hold the guest rooms, eight in total. There are Western-style rooms (twin and single) and Japanese-style rooms (private and large shared). Each room comes with a TV, a unit bath and toilet, air conditioning and a fridge. The amenities are all there too: shampoo, conditioner, towel, bath towel, toothbrush, razor and hairdryer. You can ask for a yukata, but there are no pyjamas, so bring your own.
There is also a separate building called Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya, a condominium-type unit of about 80 m² (roughly 860 sq ft) with a 2LDK layout. This one has a large dining kitchen, a washing machine, fridge, microwave, rice cooker, electric kettle, tableware and even a dish dryer, making it perfect for long stays or families. Bring your own seasonings and you can live a fully self-catered life.
The ground floor is Maruyoshi Shokudo (the diner). It is a local-favourite eatery open to non-guests too, and at lunchtime it fills up with local uncles. In the evening it turns into an izakaya, and the islanders gather. The home-style Okinawan cooking is famous for being delicious, and it has even been named one of the "Kyushu and Okinawa Top 100 Tastes".
Rates start from ¥5,000 (about US$33) room-only, or ¥6,000 (about US$40) with breakfast. Among Irabu Island's lodgings, that is firmly at the budget end. When luxury villas charge ¥30,000 (about US$200) or even ¥50,000 (about US$330) a night, this price band is a rare find.
▶Check the details on the official site
There is a coin laundry, and a drying area for diving gear as well. Apparently plenty of guests stay long-term or come specifically to dive. The curfew is 22:00, and credit cards are not accepted, so you will need cash to hand.
To be honest, when I first arrived I thought, "Wait, this is a guesthouse?" The exterior looks like an ordinary building, and stepping into the entrance it has a business-hotel feel. I had pictured a classic "island guesthouse", so I was a little taken aback. But that is exactly what makes it suited to people who want their privacy.
The rooms are pure business hotel
I stayed in a Western-style twin on the 2nd floor, and it really was just like a business hotel. Twin beds side by side, a small table and chair, a TV and a fridge. There was a unit bath too, and the shower pressure was fine.
The room size is the bare minimum, really. There is hardly any space beyond the beds, so opening up a suitcase was a bit of a struggle. But for sleeping it is plenty. It feels clean, and the air conditioning works well.
The view from the window is... well, don't get your hopes up (laughs). It is not an ocean view, just ordinary streetscape. But I had read in a review that you can see the stars from the rooftop, so I went up at night, and it really was beautiful. Irabu Island has very few streetlights, so the stars show up wonderfully.
The reviews often say "the rooms are small" and "it's a place just for sleeping". I think that is fair. If you want to lounge around in a spacious room, choose somewhere else. But if your style is "play in the sea all day and just sleep at night", then this much comfort at this price is more than enough.
There seem to be larger Japanese-style rooms too, which might suit families or groups who want to stay together and have a laugh. That said, one review mentioned you can hear the next room, so perhaps the walls are thin. Bringing earplugs might give you peace of mind.
Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya, on the other hand, has 80 m² to spread out in. Two Japanese-style rooms (two 8-tatami rooms), a dining kitchen, a bathroom, a changing room and a separate toilet make it a fantastic setup for families or long stays. Note, though, that check-in is done at the main Minshuku Maruyoshi building.
If I rated the room comfort out of ten, it would be around six. For anyone after luxury or a resort feel it falls short, but in terms of clean, comfortable sleep it passes. Factoring in value for money, I would happily give it an eight.
The thing about Maruyoshi diner being genuinely delicious
The real strength of Minshuku Maruyoshi is, without question, the ground-floor diner. The food here is seriously good. Because it is a diner the locals frequent, you get the real flavour, not something dialled down for tourists.
Lunch runs 11:00 to 14:30 (last orders 13:30). The menu includes Maruyoshi soba ¥800 (about US$5), niku (meat) soba ¥900 (about US$6), nasu-miso (eggplant and miso) set ¥900, tonkatsu fried rice ¥1,000 (about US$7), and Jumbo Katsu Curry ¥1,100 (about US$7), among others. Everything is generously portioned, enough to fill up even a hungry bloke.
The signature Jumbo Katsu Curry is, as of 2025, apparently suspended. The official blog says "the Jumbo series is on hold". Reviews from people who ate it before say things like "too much for a woman to finish" and "too much even split between three", so if it comes back I would love to take it on. There was even a note saying "for Jumbo Katsu Curry, sharing is limited to two people" and "for groups of three or more, please do not order a single dish only". That tells you just how huge the portion is.
What I had was the nasu-miso set. It is a local dish of island eggplant stir-fried with miso, and it makes the rice disappear. The set comes with a few little side dishes too, and at ¥900 the value is honestly too good. I understood why the local uncles come here practically every day.
The niku soba is a popular item too, apparently. The broth is a two-tier blend of pork-bone and bonito stock, and it clings nicely to the chewy noodles. It is a little different from standard Miyako soba: a flavour unique to Maruyoshi.
I have also seen reviews praising the aasa (sea lettuce) fried rice. It is fried rice packed with aasa seaweed, with a lovely sea aroma, by all accounts. Next time I go I am definitely having it.
Izakaya time runs 18:00 to 22:30 (last orders 21:00), by reservation. It opens only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with Monday as the regular closing day. You need two or more people and a booking made by the day before.
In the evening you can enjoy à la carte dishes made with island ingredients. Sashimi, island eggplant stir-fried in miso, stir-fried churaga (pork face skin), fu champuru, aasa kakiage and more. Everything has a home-cooked taste, and the awamori flows. The prices are reasonable too, and it is a homely atmosphere where you can drink and chat with the locals.
Do bear in mind that some dishes may be unavailable depending on the season, the weather or being sold out. Because they use island ingredients, the menu can change with whatever came in that day. That is all part of enjoying island time.
The staff aunties might come across as a touch blunt at first. One reviewer wrote about "a cold-feeling response on first meeting". But as you chat, their warmth comes through, and they really enjoyed it. I felt the same. It is not unfriendliness, just the easygoing, at-their-own-pace service typical of islanders. Once you are used to it, it is no problem at all.
You can use the diner without staying, so you can drop in even if you are not a guest. If you want to eat delicious local cooking on Irabu Island, I think Maruyoshi Shokudo is a spot you cannot miss.
A guesthouse style with no yuntaku
When people hear "guesthouse", many picture yuntaku, the lively socialising among guests. But Minshuku Maruyoshi has no such communal space at all.
A review on Ritou.com (the remote-islands site) stated plainly, "there is none of the yuntaku you often get at island guesthouses". That island-guesthouse culture of gathering in a shared space to drink and talk: for people who love it, this might feel a bit lacking.
But put another way, your privacy is properly protected. Each room is fully independent, so you can use it like a business hotel. For anyone who is "not good at talking to strangers" or wants to "spend time quietly alone", it is actually rather comfortable.
At first I thought, "If I am staying in a guesthouse, I want to mingle with the locals and other travellers." But when you are worn out from a full day in the sea, having to be sociable into the night can honestly be a chore sometimes.
The official site describes Minshuku Maruyoshi as "a guesthouse that combines the homely feel of a minshuku with the comfort of a small hotel". That is exactly right. The diner is warm and homely, but the rooms are completely private space. For some people, that exquisite balance is the height of comfort.
That said, if you do want to chat with the owner or the landlady, just show your face during diner hours. Ask about local matters or recommended sightseeing spots and they will kindly tell you. The sense of distance is just right.
One review noted, "if the landlady were a little friendlier". It is true that if you expect super-friendly service, it might feel different. But they are not bad people. They simply do not interfere more than necessary, island-style. For those it suits, it suits well.
Irabu Island does have a few socialising-style guesthouses. Places like Irabu Journey Inn and Guesthouse Ocean, with saunas or dormitory layouts, offer all sorts of styles. It is worth choosing to match your travel style.
Minshuku Maruyoshi is the "socialise in the diner, have your own time in the room" style. For people it suits, I think it is a genuinely comfortable place to stay.
A great location and easy access
Minshuku Maruyoshi is right next to Irabu Post Office. It sits in the heart of the Kuninaka district, a location that is genuinely convenient for daily life.
Nearby is Andaa Dogii, a shop famous on Irabu Island for sata andagi (Okinawan deep-fried doughnuts). One review put it as "right across from the Irabu sata andagi shop with the queues". It is a popular place with queues from the morning, but it is just a few seconds' walk from the guesthouse, so you can pop over any time. That was quietly very handy.
Super Minamiha (Maruki Supermarket) is about a 3-minute drive away, so you will not struggle to buy food or daily essentials. Irabu Island's only convenience store, FamilyMart Miyako Irabu, is about a 5-minute drive.
Toguchi-no-Hama is about a 10-minute drive away. It is Irabu Island's number-one beach, with beautiful white sand and emerald-green sea. 17END is about 15 minutes by car. Sawada-no-Hama is about 10 minutes by car. Makiyama Observatory is about 15 minutes by car. You can reach most of the major sights within about 15 minutes.
Shimojishima Airport is about a 5-minute drive, which is incredibly handy for anyone flying in or out. Miyako Airport is about 25 minutes by car. As you are right over the Irabu Ohashi Bridge, it is easy to head over to sightseeing on the main island of Miyako too.
There is a bus route as well. From the "A&W-mae" stop in central Miyako, take the local bus and get off at "Kuninaka Kominkan-mae", and you are right there. From Shimojishima Airport, take the local bus, get off at "Kuninaka Kosaten" (intersection) and it is a 3-minute walk. Being reachable without a hire car is a real plus for backpackers and solo travellers.
That said, Irabu Island is fundamentally a car-based place. Buses are infrequent, so for getting around the sights a hire car is overwhelmingly more convenient. The guesthouse has free parking, so staying by car is comfortable too.
There are also several dive shops in the area, and many people stay long-term specifically to dive. The fact that the guesthouse has a drying area for diving gear is a handy facility for exactly those guests.
The pros and cons I found from actually staying
I have written a lot of good things, but honestly there are drawbacks too. Here are my real impressions.
Pros
Overwhelmingly cheap. Room-only ¥5,000 (about US$33), with breakfast ¥6,000 (about US$40). Searching for other lodging on Irabu Island, ¥10,000 or more a night is the norm. Villas and resort hotels run ¥30,000 and up. Only a handful of places, including Minshuku Maruyoshi, let you stay in this price band.
The diner food is genuinely delicious. This exceeded expectations. As a "Kyushu and Okinawa Top 100 Tastes" pick, the flavour is guaranteed. Because the locals eat here, you get real local cooking, not seasoned for tourists.
Your privacy is protected. With no yuntaku, there is no need to socialise with other guests. Even when you are tired, you can relax in your room without having to make an effort. Being able to use it like a business hotel is a big plus for some people.
It feels clean. I had imagined an old guesthouse, but the rooms are clean and comfortable. The unit bath is properly cleaned, and the air conditioning works well. For sleeping, it is more than enough.
The location is convenient. Next to the post office, close to a supermarket and convenience store. The sights are easy to reach, and being near Shimojishima Airport is welcome for anyone flying.
There is a coin laundry. Essential for long stayers, and for anyone with lots of wet things after a day in the sea. You cannot wash in the room, but having a coin laundry on site makes all the difference.
There is a drying area for diving gear. An important facility for divers. Having a place to properly dry wet gear is genuinely appreciated by anyone doing marine sports.
Cons
The rooms are small. With hardly any space beyond the bed, opening a suitcase is a hassle. Not ideal for people with lots of luggage, or who want to relax in the room.
No ocean view. Do not expect anything from the window. If you want a room with a sea view, choose somewhere else.
The staff service can feel cold at first. Reviews mention "blunt" and "if only they were a little friendlier". But this is just the easygoing, at-their-own-pace service typical of islanders. There is no ill intent.
No yuntaku. For anyone hoping for the socialising typical of a remote-island guesthouse, it falls short. If you want to mingle with other travellers or locals, another guesthouse is better.
The walls may be thin. One review mentioned "you can hear the next room". If you are a light sleeper, earplugs are recommended.
Izakaya time is by reservation and on limited days. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only, two or more people, booked by the day before. Turn up on a whim and it may not be open in the evening.
Credit cards are not accepted. Cash payment only, so you need to prepare cash in advance. It is worth checking whether there is an ATM nearby too.
You cannot have the Jumbo Katsu Curry. Despite being the signature dish, it is currently suspended. There is no telling when it will return. Anyone going specifically for it should check beforehand.
Who is it right for?
I think Minshuku Maruyoshi suits people like these.
Value-focused travellers. Perfect for anyone who simply wants to stay cheaply, but still wants a minimum of comfort. Room-only at ¥5,000 (about US$33), with a clean private room and en-suite bath and toilet. That is rare.
People who want delicious local food. The diner food is genuinely good, so choosing it for the meals is a valid reason. You can use the diner without staying, but if you stay you can eat both morning and evening.
People who value privacy. With no yuntaku, there is no need to socialise. It suits solo travellers who want to do their own thing, and anyone who does not want to make an effort when tired.
People here to dive or do marine sports. There is a drying area for gear, and a coin laundry too. It handles long stays, so it is a convenient base for divers.
Backpackers and solo travellers. The price is low, and you can get here by local bus. Being private rooms, your privacy is protected too. Recommended even for people who dislike dormitories.
Business travellers. It suits people coming to Irabu Island for work too. You can use it like a business hotel, and eat properly at the diner.
Conversely, here is who it is not for.
People seeking a luxury resort experience. The rooms are bare minimum, and there is no ocean view. If you want a resort feel, choose a villa or resort hotel.
People who want to relax in a spacious room. The rooms are small, so even opening a suitcase is a struggle. Not suited to people with lots of luggage, or who treasure their time in the room.
People who value socialising. With no yuntaku, it falls short for anyone who wants to have a lively time with other travellers or locals. A socialising-style guesthouse is the better choice.
People expecting attentive service. The service is island-style and at its own pace, so do not expect the polished service of a hotel.
People going specifically for the Jumbo Katsu Curry. It is currently suspended, so you need to check in advance. If it has not resumed, you will just have to enjoy something else off the menu.
The annexe "Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya" as an option
Apart from the main building, Minshuku Maruyoshi also has a condominium-type place called Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya. This one is a completely different proposition, recommended for families and long stays.
It is a 2LDK of about 80 m². There are two Japanese-style rooms (two 8-tatami rooms), a dining kitchen, and a separate bathroom, changing room and toilet. It also has a TV, air conditioning, a washing machine (detergent provided), a fan and a hairdryer.
The kitchen is fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, rice cooker, electric kettle, tableware and a dish dryer. Bring just your seasonings and you can live fully self-catered. Buy ingredients at the nearby supermarket, cook in your room, and spend relaxed time as a family. It is ideal for that kind of stay.
There is adjacent parking too, so getting around by car is easy. Check-in is done at the main Minshuku Maruyoshi building, but once you have the key, you are free to do as you please.
The rate is a little higher than the main building, but it is still very cheap for a condominium. For consecutive nights there is an "ECO plan" where, in exchange for skipping room cleaning, sheet changes and amenity replacement, you stay even more cheaply. Only the towels are changed daily.
If you are planning a long family stay on Irabu Island, Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya is genuinely recommended. The main building's private rooms suit solo travellers and couples, while this one is for families. Being able to choose to match your purpose is a nice touch.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are the check-in and check-out times?
A: The official site does not state specific times, so it is best to confirm when booking. For a typical guesthouse, check-in at 15:00 and check-out at 10:00 is common. The curfew is 22:00, so anyone planning to be out late at night should take note.
Q: Is there parking?
A: There is free parking. No reservation needed. Staying by car is no problem.
Q: Is Wi-Fi available?
A: It is not stated on the official site, so it is best to check in advance. Most recent lodgings have Wi-Fi, but a guesthouse may not.
Q: What is the breakfast like?
A: The details are unclear, but I believe it is eaten in the ground-floor diner. It centres on local cooking and is said to be generous. The breakfast-included plan is from ¥6,000 (about US$40).
Q: Can I have dinner?
A: You can during izakaya time. However, it is by reservation, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only, two or more people, booked by the day before. Monday is the regular closing day. Note that turning up on the day may find it closed in the evening.
Q: Can I have the Jumbo Katsu Curry?
A: As of 2025, the Jumbo series is suspended. It is noted on the official blog. The resumption date is unknown, so it is best to check beforehand.
Q: Can I stay as a solo traveller?
A: Absolutely. Being private rooms, your privacy is protected, and with no yuntaku there is no need to make an effort. I think it is a guesthouse well suited to solo travel.
Q: Is it okay with children?
A: There are family Japanese-style rooms, and with Shima-no-Ie Hogarakaya a family can spread out comfortably. That said, there are no children's play facilities in the area, so it is best for trips aimed at the sea or a pool.
Q: Is there a convenience store nearby?
A: FamilyMart Miyako Irabu is about a 5-minute drive. It is Irabu Island's only convenience store. It is a bit far on foot, so a car is more convenient.
Q: Are credit cards accepted?
A: Cash payment only. Credit cards are not accepted, so you need to prepare cash in advance.
For cheap, tasty lodging on Irabu Island, choose Minshuku Maruyoshi
I think Minshuku Maruyoshi is the best option for anyone who "wants to stay cheaply but also enjoy delicious food". In the price band of ¥5,000 (about US$33) room-only or ¥6,000 (about US$40) with breakfast, you get a clean private room with en-suite bath and toilet. And above all, the diner's local cooking is genuinely delicious.
There is none of the grandeur of a luxury resort hotel. The rooms are bare minimum, and there is no ocean view. But there is business-hotel comfort, and your privacy is properly protected. At first I was thrown by "a guesthouse with no socialising at all?", but in the end that turned out to be rather comfortable.
The diner is a celebrated spot the locals frequent, chosen as one of the "Kyushu and Okinawa Top 100 Tastes". You can eat delicious local cooking at both lunch and dinner, at reasonable prices. It is a shame the signature Jumbo Katsu Curry is suspended, but the other dishes are plenty delicious too.
The location is convenient too. Next to the post office, close to a supermarket and convenience store. The sights are easy to reach, and being near Shimojishima Airport is welcome. Having a coin laundry and a drying area for diving gear is handy for long stayers and anyone doing marine sports.
There are downsides. Small rooms, possibly thin walls, staff service that can feel cold at first, izakaya time that is reservation-only on limited days, and no credit cards. But considering the price, I think these are within the acceptable range.
If you are looking for lodging on Irabu Island, Minshuku Maruyoshi is worth putting on your shortlist. It is not for people seeking a luxury resort experience, but for anyone who values good value and wants to enjoy delicious food, I can genuinely recommend it.
Next time I go to Irabu Island, I will probably stay at Minshuku Maruyoshi again, because I will want that diner's nasu-miso set once more. And at night I will want izakaya time, slowly sipping awamori with the islanders. It is the kind of guesthouse where you can enjoy that deep, unhurried island time.
