Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
It doesn’t get much more country than Yakushima, an island off the southwestern tip of the Japanese mainland, at the same time one of the greenest, rainiest and most stunning locations on Earth. This lush, wooded, mountainous island was the inspiration for Princess Mononoke’s forest, and today, a couple of decades after the last logging operation ceased, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has become something like a Japanese version of Walden Pond.
Rather than the ultra-traditional ryokan concept, tatami and all, Sankara’s twenty-nine rooms are Western in format — floors are for walking, not sitting. The concept is “auberge,” and like so many other French traditions, it travels well. The rooms are sophisticated and comfortable but they’re a bit understated; the restaurant and spa are the main event, at least in-house. The spa imports Thai treatments and aesthetics. The real attraction, though, it must be said, is the island itself — Sankara offers sea views or forest tableaux out every window, and offers hikers and adventurers a base camp for exploring the island’s endless trails. A country inn, however thoughtfully crafted, is only as good as its setting — fortunately in this case there’s no upper limit.
How to get to Yakushima:
-From Tokyo: 2-hour flight to Kagoshima then a half-hour flight or 3-hour ferry to Yakushima.
-From Osaka: 1.5-hour direct flight to Yakushima.
How to get to Sankara Hotel & Spa:
-15 minutes from Anbo seaport by hotel's complementary transfer service.
-30 minutes from Yakushima airport
Location
Guest Score & Reviews
Our 20-point scale is based on post-stay ratings from verified MICHELIN Guide guests. This feedback is important, and plays a role in helping us decide whether or not a hotel should remain in our selection.

Perfect getaway for the discerning luxury traveller. The hotel is a very sophisticated and quiet. A very mature atmosphere that keeps the public spaces calm and most importantly quiet. The staff are dedicated, excellently skilled and politely friendly, some of the best service I have recieved anywhere in the world! The restaurant offers a set menu made from excellently prepared, fresh and local produce and it is always excellent! This review is a rave, because this hotel deserves it.

武井シェフ監修のフランス料理、きめ細かなサービス、アクティビティ手配の充実

La piscine et les espaces communs.
Rooms & Rates
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Villa with Forest View - Manasa (1F)
-
Fits 3 people
-
2 Single Beds
-
570 ft²/53 m².
Includes:
- Accessible without steps
- Air conditioning
- Bathtub
- Bathtub/shower combo
- Central heating
- Closet
- Club level access
- Coffee/tea
- Desk
- DVD player
- Hairdryer
- Hardwood floor
- International channel
- Minibar
- Minifridge
- On demand movies
- Phones
- Rain shower
- Roll-in shower with seat and rail
- Sofa
- Sofa sleeper
- Stand up shower
- Standard television
- Television
- Terrace / balcony
- Wake up service





Villa with Forest View - Manasa (2F)
-
Fits 3 people
-
2 Single Beds
-
570 ft²/53 m².
Includes:
- Air conditioning
- Bathtub
- Bathtub/shower combo
- Central heating
- Closet
- Club level access
- Coffee/tea
- Desk
- DVD player
- Hairdryer
- Hardwood floor
- International channel
- Minibar
- Minifridge
- On demand movies
- Phones
- Rain shower
- Roll-in shower with seat and rail
- Sofa
- Sofa sleeper
- Stand up shower
- Standard television
- Television
- Terrace / balcony
- Wake up service




Junior Suite with Sea View
-
Fits 2 people
-
2 Single Beds
-
764 ft²/71 m².
Views: Sea.
Includes:
- Accessible without steps
- Air conditioning
- Air purifier
- Bathtub
- Bathtub/shower combo
- Central heating
- Closet
- Club level access
- Coffee/tea
- Desk
- DVD player
- Hairdryer
- Hardwood floor
- International channel
- Minibar
- Minifridge
- On demand movies
- Phones
- Rain shower
- Roll-in shower with seat and rail
- Sofa
- Stand up shower
- Standard television
- Television
- Terrace / balcony
- Wake up service