This corner is written by Yumiko Itakura, a travel and spa journalist who continues to report on hotel spas around the world and experience the roots of health and beauty in each region.
This year, each month we will focus on one region in Japan and unravel the ``Grandma's Wisdom'' wellness methods that are rooted in that region through hot springs, spa treatments, cultural experiences, and more.
Would you like to travel with us through Japan while exploring local health methods, healing, and nutritious meals?
This time, we will be talking about Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, located in Taketomi Island, Okinawa Prefecture, with a population of about 300 people. The resort celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and feels even more co-existing with the local community.

A peaceful resort where you can feel like a resident of an island where the spirit of Utsugumi lives on.

Taketomi Island is one of the Yaeyama Islands, located approximately 400 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa. Surrounded by clear skies and the sea, the island still retains the original scenery of Okinawa, with roofs made of Ryukyu red tiles, hand-laid coral stone walls, and white sand alleys. Its beauty is protected by the local spirit of utugumi (=unity and cooperation).

HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island, located in the eastern part of the island, has a site of approximately 20,000 tsubo (20,000 square meters), and all of the guest rooms are built according to traditional architectural standards, just like the houses on the island, making it a community. In the evening, if you listen to the ``Yuunagi no Uta'' performed by local performers at the ``Yuntaku Lounge'', which consists of sanshin and traditional songs, you will naturally become accustomed to the relaxing rhythm unique to the island.

For dinner, we recommend the island hotpot served in the guest room of the detached house, but you should definitely head to the main dining room at least once. We recommend tasting the French "Island Terroir," which uses ingredients full of vitality from the islands of Yaeyama. Chef Tatsuro Nakasu offers seasonal items using life herbs (nuchigusa, a generic term for herbs and vegetables) that have protected the health of islanders. The healthy taste and beautiful presentation will fill your mind and body, and you'll feel energized.

Stay cheerful with the power of life herbs that have been used by islanders since ancient times.

For many years, there were no doctors on Taketomi Island, so the islanders maintained their health and that of their families by using medicinal herbs that grew naturally on the island. The resort's vast gardens are also home to hundreds of types of flowers. The spa uses treatment gels and aromatic oils made from plants familiar to the island, such as sugar cane, moon peaches, and shikwasa. The must-try menu is ``Life-sustaining Grass Rest Bugari Noson'' where you can fully enjoy the power of life-sustaining grass.

After a full body massage with a water-soluble gel containing environmentally friendly plant ingredients, the toes and décolletage are treated with a cloth made by kneading life herbs such as Chomeisou and Fuchiba (mugwort) with glutinous rice. A wrapped and steamed medicinal herb ball is pressed against it. The indescribably comfortable temperature and feel will relieve your mental and physical tension, warm you from the core of your body, improve blood circulation, and fill you with a sense of security.

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In the morning, take part in the ``Yonna Deep Breathing'' (free of charge) held at Aiyar Beach and soak up the fresh air while soaking up the morning sun. And before going to bed, try ``Tinnu Deep Breathing'' (free of charge) by the pool, where you can see one of the world's best starry skies, and you'll drift off to sleep smoothly.

A blissful stay in a beautiful natural environment where you can eat, act, sleep, and follow your instincts whenever you want without being pressed for time. If you are tired of the daily hustle and bustle, why not come here to regain your original cheerful self?

Hoshinoya Taketomi Island 
HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island

Taketomi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Tel: 050-3134-8091 (Hoshinoya General Reservations)
Price: Starting from ¥112,000 per room (tax and service charge included, meals not included) Standard reservations start from 2 nights
Spa: Life-giving grass rest Bugari Northen 90 minutes 30,500 yen (tax and service charge included, duration 120 minutes)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Port, pick-up available from Taketomi Port
https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyataketomijima/


Travel & Spa Journalist
Yumiko Itakura
Yumiko Itakura 
    
He assumed his current position after working as an editor at ``25ans'' and other publications. Traveling around the world, he proposes and writes travel plans that appeal to the five senses in various media, with themes of healing, health, food, and culture that live in the land. He also serves as a speaker at seminars sponsored by government international organizations, tourism bureaus, and companies. Also known as a lover of Italy, he composed and wrote "Italian Mamma's Recipes" (published by Sekai Bunkasha). Also, in the Japan National Tourism Organization's global campaign that started last November, he speaks about Japan's healing experiences as an expert in the field of relaxation.Expert Insights Go Deep Into Japan

photos:Yumiko Itakura

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