I’m a travel and lifestyle blogger who’s all about resort life—@owncolorstravel—sharing tips on how to enjoy beach resort vacations. I’m continuing my blog series on Yoron Island, a remote island in Kagoshima, so if you’re curious about traveling there, definitely stay tuned!
For this trip, I’m staying at Pricia Resort Yoron. To celebrate my birthday, I treated myself to my first resort getaway of the year—a solo trip right after Golden Week(Japanese national holiday). I planned a 2-night, 3-day stay on Yoron, and for one of those nights, I booked a stay at this beautiful resort hotel.
In recent years, taking a solo trip for my birthday has kind of become a tradition for me.
・A stay at Prisia Resort Yoron on a rainy day on Yoron Island
Day 1 on Yoron Island
Even before the trip, I’d been keeping an eye on the weather forecast, and things weren’t looking too great for my stay. As I imagined traveling alone to a tiny island in the south, I started second-guessing whether I should just cancel the trip altogether. But the forecast kept changing, so I decided to take a chance and go for it lol
To be honest, whenever I travel, it seems like I always get dramatic weather—rain, snow, shifting air pressure—you name it. And this trip was no exception.
I flew out of Naha Airport in Okinawa with JAL, and the weather was already bad from the start. I arrived at Yoron Airport at 1:55 PM on a JAL RAC flight.
Yoron Airport is super small, so I was able to get to the hotel shuttle stop without any trouble.
Although the island is close to Okinawa, the cars have Amami license plates from Kagoshima Prefecture, which feels kind of strange.
There’s a shuttle bus service, and since the hotel is close to the airport, you’ll get there in no time.
The hotel building with the front desk has a clean white exterior—on a sunny day, I imagine it would really pop against the bright blue sky.
Since this trip was a little birthday treat to myself, I felt a bit disappointed checking in under cloudy skies. I think I might’ve been the only solo guest there (lol).
I had the impression it was mostly a couples’ destination, but I actually saw quite a few families with kids and groups of female friends as well.
Guests staying at other hotels also arrived by shuttle bus at the same time, so check-in took a while. Still, I passed the time browsing the gift shop and other areas inside the facility.
Pricia Resort Yoron, the largest resort hotel on Yoron Island, reopened in 2023 after a major renovation.
Both the front desk and the on-site shop feature a clean, white-based interior with a stylish, modern design.
・Yoron Island souvenirs
While browsing the hotel shop, I found a nice selection of Yoron Island souvenirs. Alongside original hotel merchandise, they also carry local sweets and specialty products from the island.
One of the most popular souvenirs from Yoron is kokutō (brown sugar). Made from locally grown sugarcane, this rich, flavorful ingredient pairs well with both sweets and savory dishes. You’ll find it in all sorts of treats like kokutō peanuts and kokutō karintō (a type of crispy fried sweet).
Other local favorites include mozuku soba, a nutritious seaweed noodle, and tropical island fruits.
There’s also pottery called “Āduru-yaki,” unique to Yoron, with beautifully handmade pieces. And when it comes to local alcohol, Yoron doesn’t serve awamori like the rest of Okinawa—instead, they produce kokutō shōchū, a smooth distilled spirit made from brown sugar. It’s said to be rich in minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols, making it a healthier choice for a drink.
I went souvenir shopping again on my second day, so stay tuned for the next blog post if you’re curious about more Yoron Island gift ideas!
・Hotel room tour
Since this was originally a solo trip, a standard room would have been just fine—but because it was a special treat for myself, I chose to stay in an Ocean View Hollywood Twin, where every room faces the sea.
The room felt more like a two-story villa, with a private garden and jacuzzi on the first floor.
The next morning, I caught a bit of sunshine and managed to snap a few photos with my phone.
But here’s what it looked like on a rainy day!
The umbrellas provided by the hotel were so cute—they really stood out even on rainy days, making for fun photo ops.
If you’re staying during wet weather, try playing around with different photo angles like I did! (lol)
That said, even if your room is on the second floor, there’s no staff assistance for carrying luggage, so you’ll need to take your suitcase up by yourself.
There were carts on the property, but they seemed to be for staff use only.
There’s also a Tuk Tuk rental available for a fee, but that’s meant for getting around the island, not for luggage transport.
On rainy days, the narrow spiral staircase can get pretty slippery—especially if you’re trying to carry an umbrella—so be extra careful.
If you have limited mobility or lower physical strength, I’d recommend requesting a ground floor room. It’s definitely the safer and more convenient option.
While the resort has a beautiful, thoughtfully designed appearance, I honestly feel there’s room for improvement when it comes to hospitality and guest support.
I was really satisfied with the room.
At 47 square meters (about 500 square feet), it was incredibly spacious for a solo traveler—even though there was no balcony. It had a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, and even an extra room. Everything felt so well laid out and efficient that I found myself thinking, “If I lived in a space like this, my life would feel a lot more organized.”
The design was clean and minimal, with an American-modern aesthetic—simple, elegant, and calming.
It was raining and I didn’t really have anything to do, so it was the perfect excuse for a cozy stay-in. As expected, I ended up spending the night watching dramas on my phone.
They have all the basic amenities, but as always, I bring my own bath salts and soaks. I also never forget to pack some facial masks to keep my skin hydrated.
・Pool
It was raining here too, so I didn’t get to go in, but the pool definitely pops and looks amazing when the weather’s nice. At night, it’s lit up beautifully.
The tent sauna is available for an extra fee.
By the way, if you’re stuck with a rainy day in Yoron, you can still kill some time by checking out tourist spots like the Akasaki Limestone Cave or hopping around to a few local cafés.
・Private beach
Even with the bad weather, the water in Yoron is still incredibly clear and beautiful.
It was mostly cloudy with some rain, but since the sun wasn’t out, it wasn’t too hot. And because the rainy season hadn’t started yet, the humidity wasn’t too bad either—so overall, it was pretty comfortable.
Plus, the sand on the beach was super soft and fluffy!
The hotel offers a “picnic breakfast” service where you can pack your breakfast buffet into a picnic box and enjoy it down by the beach—definitely worth trying on a nice day!
If you’re into marine activities and want to make the most of your stay, booking an all-inclusive plan is a great option. It covers meals, rentals, and activities, so you can just relax and enjoy everything the hotel has to offer.
・Hotel facilities
The area called “Mykonos Square” is inspired by the streets of Mykonos, Greece—and it shows! Turns out Yoron Island and the city of Mykonos are sister cities, which explains all the vibrant colors. The biggest draws of Pricia Resort Yoron are definitely the bright, eye-catching design of the place and the crystal-clear ocean.
There were these super colorful blue and pink swings, and the pastel-colored tiles added even more charm.
I spotted Okinawa’s Blue Seal ice cream at the shop inside the resort, so of course I had to grab one. I went with mint—figured I’d add a little more color to the day.
At the hotel’s beach café, Paradisos, they offer a welcome service where you can enjoy free drinks at the lounge until 5 PM. I had a glass of Italian white wine—such a nice touch.
With how pricey orange juice has gotten lately, I was honestly so happy to see they had 100% orange juice available. It’s one of those “oh nice, I gotta have some while it’s here” kind of moments (lol).
It was still drizzling and cloudy when I arrived at the hotel—but then, something amazing happened.
At first, I was just using my umbrella as a prop and taking some photos with it…
Totally unexpected—this.
As sunset rolled in, the rain stopped, and the sky turned soft shades of purple and pink. The contrast with the blue of the ocean was just stunning.
I can’t even say how much this view saved me.
In my heart, I whispered, “Happy birthday.”
・Dinner
I had asked a friend from Yoron Island for dinner spot recommendations ahead of time, and I even called pretty early to make a reservation. But in the end, I couldn’t get a time that worked for me, so I decided to have dinner at the restaurant inside my hotel.
The place, Robatayaki Piki, is a cozy, Japanese-style restaurant with tatami seating. It serves up everything from sashimi to local Yoron dishes and grilled meat. Since Yoron is also known for its brown sugar, I went with the Kokuto Sukiyaki made with premium Japanese black beef and sweetened with local brown sugar. Most people order it to share, but the portion was totally manageable for one—honestly, it was so good I found myself wishing for seconds!
You can make a reservation for the hotel restaurant in advance through the hotel’s website.
If you’d prefer to have dinner outside the hotel, I had a couple of spots on my list that are worth checking out—Italian restaurant Osteria Kaki and Kunenbo Shokudo. Both are located near the hotel and serve dinner. Since dining options on a small island can be pretty limited, it’s definitely a good idea to book well in advance if you have a specific time in mind.
・Day 2: Hotel breakfast buffet
The next morning, the skies began to clear up. After a refreshing walk around the hotel grounds in the crisp morning air, I headed to the Mediterranean-style restaurant Anelia for breakfast. They’re open from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. (last order at 9:30), and since I was up early, I got there a little after 7 and grabbed a window seat with a view of the ocean.
The buffet features both Japanese and Western options, made with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. One standout was keihan, a traditional dish from the Amami region. It’s a bowl of warm rice topped with a light broth, subtly sweet shiitake, and a hint of yuzu kosho for a little kick—perfect for a gentle start to the day.
There were plenty of other satisfying options too: satsuma-age (fried fish cakes), chicken nanban, seared skipjack tuna, beni-imo (purple sweet potato) salad, mozuku seaweed, and more.
I also treated myself to French toast topped with local kibi oriko syrup.
The rain had finally stopped and it looked like it’d be a good day for swimming. Honestly, I would’ve loved to stay another night—but since it was a travel day, I checked out and waited for the pickup from the rental car company I had arranged in advance.
・Extra point
There’s a single hibiscus painted on the ground in front of one of the guest rooms—just one, as far as I could tell.
If you happen to spot it, here’s a fun detail: hibiscus flowers often symbolize trust, delicate beauty, and a new love!!
It feels like a little sign of hope, especially for anyone traveling solo—so keep an eye out for it!
While the location, stylish design, and well-maintained facilities make this resort hotel worth staying at, the service side felt pretty average. The check-in process lacked warmth and efficiency, and overall the staff gave off a rather quiet, reserved vibe. If you’re traveling solo, that little extra touch of hospitality would’ve really made a difference and possibly shifted my impression toward wanting to return.
That said, there were definitely bright spots—like the cheerful greetings from the cleaning staff, and the friendly team members who chatted with me during dinner or offered directions. These individual moments stood out in a good way and made me think that with just a bit of focus from management, there’s real potential for improvement.
This hotel is a great fit for couples on a special occasion, girls’ trips, or Instagrammers looking for photo-worthy spots—it really delivers on the aesthetics.
Next time, I’ll be sharing some solo travel–friendly accommodations in the Chabana area of Yoron Island, as well as ideas for enjoying the island at a slower pace and exploring some highlights around Yoron. Stay tuned!