Hello everyone! I’m an Okinawa-based blogger who runs a travel and lifestyle blog, capturing photos and videos along the way, both domestically and internationally. This summer, I focused on the Okinawan remote islands.
I recently took a solo trip, using Ishigaki Island as my base while exploring Iriomote and Taketomi Islands. During this trip, I stayed at hotels that were extremely convenient for island hopping, and I found them to be very practical, so I’d like to share my experience with you.
While staying in a luxurious hotel and enjoying a relaxing retreat is nice, I realized that for island hopping, it’s much better to stay somewhere with convenient access and plenty of shops nearby. Let me introduce some of these hotels!
・Ishigakijima Hotel Cucule
Ishigakijima Hotel Cucule 8-1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0012, Japan
・What’s great about this hotel
Ishigaki Island’s Hotel Cucule is conveniently located near the Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, and the area around the hotel is lively, with many shops scattered nearby.
The terminal is just a five-minute walk away, offering high-speed boats and ferries to Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima, Hateruma, Hatoma, and Iriomote Islands, making it easy to plan your Yaeyama Islands tour. This convenient access makes the hotel highly recommended.
A short walk from the hotel takes you to Euglena Mall, Japan’s southernmost shopping street, where you can find souvenir shops, ensuring plenty of enjoyment close by—an ideal location.
One of the great features of this hotel is that they offer luggage storage services before check-in, after check-out, or even while you’re staying on a remote island, allowing you to travel light and enjoy the islands worry-free. This makes it a perfect base for your stay.
Another perk is the complimentary self-service drinks available from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, including all-you-can-drink Orion Beer, which is a charming bonus.
Since I had some time before check-in, I cooled down with an Orion Beer. The hotel’s attached Japanese-style sake bar, “Kuramoto SAKE & GALLERY,” also serves beer as a welcome drink.
As for amenities, you can take what you need from the hotel lobby to your room. The rooftop is a terrace with a great view overlooking the remote island terminal and the surrounding area.
Although the number is limited, the hotel also offers a rental bicycle service, which is perfect for a casual stroll around the area.
・Hotel Room Tour
The room I stayed in was a Japanese-Style Double Room. At first glance, the room looks like it has a futon, but the bed is actually embedded in the floor. I would have been fine with a futon too, though. This room type seems like it would be popular with guests from overseas. The tatami mats give a very calming atmosphere.
The bathroom is a standard type.
On the third floor, there is a laundromat and a smoking room available.
I was able to stay at this hotel for under 15,000 yen per night. Prices can vary depending on the season and plan, so be sure to book wisely.
Hotels tend to be more expensive during the high season, and prices on Ishigaki Island are also on the rise, so it’s a good idea to check the rates on travel websites.
Since there are no beaches or pools, this hotel might not be ideal for those seeking a resort stay. However, after comparing several options, I’m satisfied with my choice of Hotel Cucule on Ishigaki Island due to its convenient location for accessing the remote islands and the services it offers.
・Hotel Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is served at the attached café from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
It’s a buffet-style meal, where you can casually enjoy Okinawan favorites like taco rice, Yaeyama soba, and my personal favorite, yushi tofu, as well as other dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
The hotel’s front desk staff were very helpful, providing information on how to get from the hotel to the airport. Even though my stay on Ishigaki Island was just for one night, I had a comfortable and pleasant experience.
・Eating Ishigaki beef burgers around the hotel
I visited the Ishigaki Beef Burger specialty shop, HeartLand, which is just across the street from my hotel. Since it’s been a while since I stayed on Ishigaki Island, I thought I should definitely eat here! So I stepped into the restaurant.
You can also enjoy their burgers at the Public Market in the Euglena Mall.
HeartLand 3 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0012, Japan
The main feature is the limited-quantity Ishigaki Beef Burger, priced at 2,180 yen. It’s definitely a premium brand of beef.
I’ve never spent this much on a hamburger before, but I decided to go for it anyway lol.
The meat used in the other burgers available in the shop is sourced from Okinawa.
The burger is incredibly hefty, loaded with roast beef, an Ishigaki beef patty, egg, cheese, and vegetables.
It’s so large that you can’t take a bite in one go, but since I was alone, I decided to go all in and take a big bite anyway.
Ordering is done via a touch-screen, and the restaurant offers sofa seating, counter seats, and tables, making it comfortable and easy to visit even if you’re alone.
Since it’s premium beef, the price is on the higher side, but if you love hamburgers or want to make the most of your visit to Ishigaki Island, it’s worth trying.
Now, as for tonight… I think I’ll head out for some drinks!
