A new small luxury hotel, NANJU, opens on Thursday, December 24, 2026 in Gusukube Bora, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture. The hotel is developed by Star Resort Co., Ltd., which is headquartered in Naha, Okinawa. Reservations open on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
The hotel is built around the philosophy "Escape to Energyscape," and offers the island's living culture, changing nature, the richness of the land, connections with local people, cuisine that makes use of the island's seasonal produce, and attentive hospitality.
Five Rooms on a Cliff 40 Meters Above the Sea
NANJU stands in Gusukube Bora (ぐすくべ・ぼら), in the southeastern part of Miyako Island, on a cliff 40 meters above sea level along a coastline of Ryukyu limestone. All five guest rooms face the unobstructed Miyako Blue sea, so the broad view is part of the stay whether guests are relaxing indoors or spending time on the terrace.
In the "BANTA Villa," guests can rest quietly while looking out at the sea from a terrace with a private infinity pool, and in the evening talk with someone special beside a bonfire under the stars. Spending the stay in the room without deciding what to do is also one way to travel here.
Architecture and Interiors Inspired by Miyako Island's Landscape
The architecture and landscape take their cues from the outlines and undulations of the Ryukyu limestone lining the Gusukube Bora coast. Terraces combine Ryukyu limestone masonry with plantings, and interiors use stone-based designs and forms reminiscent of rock. Doors feature naguri finishing, which carves an uneven texture into the wood grain, and the mix of materials expresses the local landscape in the furnishings of each room. Each room also displays different artwork, created through collaborations between artists from Miyako Island and Okinawa.
Dining Worth the Trip to Miyako Island
At the signature restaurant Astérisques (アスタリスク), Kenya Akita takes the post of executive chef. Centered on seasonal Miyako Island vegetables, he draws on techniques developed in France and Japan to bring out the character of the island's seafood, vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
The course is composed anew each day through conversations with producers, and reflects the harvests of Miyako Island's four seasons. Stories of local farmers, artisans, and producers are woven in, and each dish reflects the climate and the season of the land. Vegetarian and vegan courses are also available.
Akita's approach is to make full use of a single ingredient. With carrots, for example, he has used the leaves and stems as well, drawing different textures and aromas out of one vegetable. He has explored what flavors and aromas each part of an ingredient holds, and will carry that outlook over to Miyako Island's seasonal ingredients, opening a new chapter.
Chef Kenya Akita
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1977. After working at a French restaurant in Fukuoka and at 京都ホテルオークラ, he moved to France in 2007. There he trained as a section chef and sous-chef at restaurants including "Domaine des Hauts de Loire" in the Loire region and the two-Michelin-star "Les Terrasses d'Uriage" in the Savoie region.
He then spent about four years as sous-chef at "Le Clos des Sens" in Annecy, which earned three Michelin stars in 2019 while he was there. He also gained experience at European restaurants including "Bror" (Copenhagen), "pastoral" (Belgium), and "krommewatergang" (the Netherlands).
After serving as sous-chef at the two-Michelin-star "l'atelier d'edmond," he returned to Japan in 2020 to become chef of "Noeud. TOKYO," which won one Michelin star and a Green Star at the same time within a year and a half of opening. Since 2022 he has been head chef at "Azumi Setoda" in Setoda, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, and has been selected for "50 Best Discovery" and "We're Smart Green Guide 2 Radishes."
A 14-Pointed Star Linking People and Nature
The name NANJU comes from 南珠 (nanju), which likens a star shining in the southern sky to a pearl. The logo is an original form that organically combines a 14-pointed star with the brand name's initial "N." The mysterious star carries the thought behind a special stay here.
The 14 points reaching in every direction symbolize hospitality that welcomes guests from around the world and responds to each person's wishes. The star also expresses the idea that staff, producers, artisans, and the people involved in construction build the hotel together, as well as a respect for nature such as the sun, stars, and sea. Silver was chosen as the symbol color. It blends with its surroundings while keeping its own shine, reflecting the wish to be a timeless hotel that does not fade with the years.
The Thinking Behind the Hotel
Star Resort Co., Ltd. President and CEO 佐々木優弥 says the aim is for NANJU to become a new destination for visitors to Miyako Island. The stay is inspired by the view of the sea from a cliff 40 meters above sea level and by the food and culture nurtured by the island, and this is reflected in the details of the cuisine, the spaces, and the hospitality.
With only five rooms, the hotel plans to pay attention to how each guest spends their time. Working with local producers and artisans and bringing their work into the dishes and furnishings is also described as part of the hotel's role in sharing the area's appeal with the world.
The company says it hopes NANJU will grow into a leading small luxury hotel in Japan, one that makes travelers say, "I want to go to Miyako Island to stay at NANJU." It also says it wants to care for the island's nature and work alongside local residents so that the hotel's growth contributes to the community's prosperity.
Property Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | NANJU (ナンジュ) |
| Address | 1145-10 Gusukube Bora, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Opening date | Thursday, December 24, 2026 |
| Base rate | From ¥150,000 per room per night for two guests (excluding tax and service charge) |
| Rooms | 5 |
| Site area | 2,644.69 sq m |
| Total floor area | 504.19 sq m |
| Room size | 112 sq m per room (60 sq m indoors plus a 52 sq m private terrace) |
| Restaurant | Astérisques (アスタリスク) |
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport; about 55 minutes by car from Shimojishima Airport (may vary depending on traffic conditions) |
| Operator | Star Resort Co., Ltd. |
| Official website | https://www.nanjuresorts.com/ |
| Official Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nanjumiyako/ |
