Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the sea and sky. A solo retreat at BLANC MIYAKOJIMA, located at the southernmost tip of Miyakojima, where you can embrace the beauty of “emptiness.”
Nice to meet you. I’m KOYA, a HafH ambassador.
I usually work as a spatial designer, creating environments and experiences, while also traveling around Japan as a business owner.
In today’s world, where we are constantly surrounded by information, what we may truly need is not more input, but “white space” — moments to step back and remove the unnecessary.
This time, I took a solo two-day, one-night retreat to BLANC MIYAKOJIMA, located on Kurima Island at the southernmost tip of Miyakojima. My goal was to step away from the constant stream of decisions in daily life and create space to reset my mind.
From a creator’s perspective, I’d like to share the overwhelming sense of immersion in “white space” that this retreat offers, while exploring what makes it such a special place to stay.
A place quietly resting at the edge of the world.
BLANC MIYAKOJIMA is located in a quiet area surrounded by sugarcane fields, just across Kurima Bridge and about a 15-minute drive from Miyako Airport. It can also be reached by bus, allowing visitors to experience the slower pace of life unique to the island.
The hotel is built in a trailer house style, which sets it apart from conventional hotels. Its design blends gently into the surrounding landscape without disturbing the natural scenery—something I found particularly fascinating from my perspective as a spatial designer.
The first thing that catches your eye upon arrival is the open-air lobby integrated with the restaurant. The space is open and airy, with a soft tropical breeze flowing through, instantly drawing you into the relaxed rhythm of island life.
The staff are warm and attentive, and check-in is smooth and welcoming.
The price range is closer to that of glamping or luxury retreats, but simply being in this place—surrounded by nature and far removed from the everyday—gives you the feeling of standing at the edge of the world.
Enjoy the present moment from your private terrace.
This room is housed in a standalone building. To reach it, you walk through a village-like landscape of trailer homes.
When you open the door, you’re welcomed by a compact yet uncluttered space. Despite its size, there is plenty of room to relax on the sofa.
With the large window open in front of me, I took a deep breath and simply enjoyed the sense of space.
Climbing the outdoor staircase leads you to the private terrace provided with each guest room. From here, you can take in the view, listen to the sound of the waves, and simply enjoy the present moment. Here, this kind of quiet luxury is simply part of everyday life.
The Simmons beds were exceptionally comfortable, gently easing the fatigue of the day.
If you enjoy photography, the view of the sky from the private rooftop terrace is not to be missed.
Wi-Fi is also fully available, making it an ideal place to write down your thoughts whenever inspiration strikes.
The luxury of unwinding by the fire
For dinner, we enjoyed an authentic BBQ at the on-site restaurant, Grill Restaurant RuGu Bistro. Watching the ingredients being freshly grilled right in front of you creates a lively dining experience that engages all five senses.
Since the staff handle all the grilling, you can simply focus on the conversation, the view, and the flavors of the food.
This sense of “letting go” felt like the ultimate luxury for someone like me, who is usually busy running a business.
The dishes make generous use of local ingredients, and the thick-cut Agu pork steak in particular is something you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
After dinner, gather around the fire and roast marshmallows. Watching the flames flicker while relaxing by the fire creates the perfect kind of “white space.”
Enjoy island activities without bringing a thing
The hotel also offers a laundry service, allowing guests to fully enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about their clothes. Snorkeling equipment and bicycle rentals are available as well, making it easy to enjoy light activities even if you arrive empty-handed.
For those looking for something more adventurous, full chartered boat tours and night tours are also available, offering a chance to experience the island’s unique natural beauty.
There are also thoughtful services that enhance the overall stay, such as the opportunity to roast your own coffee beans and well-designed eco-friendly amenities. The hotel’s philosophy is reflected not only in these details, but also in the attentive and welcoming service of the staff.
Enjoy a “RuGu Bowl” by the sea.
The next morning, I took a short walk to Nagasaki Beach, just steps away from the hotel. Spending time gazing out at the quiet sea felt like a small but important ritual to help me reconnect with myself.
For breakfast, we had the RuGu Bowl, a champuru-style dish made with plenty of local ingredients. Its vibrant colors were as inviting as its flavors.
Taking it to the beach and enjoying it in the soft morning light made the experience even more special—so good that it made me want a second serving.
Check-out was just as effortless; we simply returned the key. We left the hotel surrounded by a quiet sense of calm that lasted until the very end.
Time to gaze out at the crystal-clear sea.![]()
During this stay, we explored the natural beauty of Kurima Island with the hotel as our base. At night, the area around the hotel is illuminated by a sky full of stars, making it a perfect place for a quiet evening walk.
A short drive to Irabu Island is also well worth it. Simply sitting and daydreaming while gazing out at the crystal-clear ocean is an experience in itself.
Moments of this kind of “white space” felt more luxurious than anything else.
An overwhelming sense of white space and the luxury of simplicity
After actually staying there, the things I particularly liked were the overwhelming sense of immersion in the empty space and the luxury that comes from cutting out all the unnecessary things.
Because of the rich natural environment, the weather and insects can have an impact, but I felt that this was also part of the joy of enjoying “uncontrollable nature.”
・Business people who want to get away from the busyness of everyday life and reset their thinking
・Creators who want to stimulate new sensibilities
・Those who want to enjoy deep conversation with their loved ones
By using HafH, you can easily explore these “special hidden spots that you would normally miss” with the ease of a flat-rate plan. This may be the new standard for modern travel. What kind of new you will discover next? With this excitement in mind, I look for my next destination.
For more information on BLANC MIYAKOJIMA, click here
https://www.hafh.com/properties/18306
