Minshuku Sawayakaso — Hotel in Taketomi

We'd only found limited info in English about this place so weren't exactly sure what to expect but we really enjoyed our stay here and can't recommend it highly enough. ||Slightly limited English from the hosts (like most of the Island) but that wasn't a problem at all (they were quick to use translation apps where needed). The vibe is very relaxed which fits perfectly with he location but very welcoming and helpful. ||Our room was of course spotlessly clean and very comfortable. It was Japanese style with tatami mattresses, very modest, but we had all we needed, bonus was the balcony with sea and sunset views.||We had already booked a kayaking tour in advance as we weren't sure if it was possible to do this at short notice but it turns out it can also be done a day in advance. We enjoyed our first one so much that Aki made some some calls and helped us organise another for our second day and it was even better than the first. ||Aki also gave us a map of the local restaurants and beaches (which was in Japanese but he translated these for us) and made notes of distances and even helped us pick a restaurant for our first dinner out and booked a table for us. He was always ready to help with a smile on his face and he made our stay very easy.||The food was the biggest surprise; incredibly good value and put together with expert skill. The wild boar from the island was very special as were all of the fish dishes. They were happy to cater for a pescaterian too.||Good facilities for washing clothes, access to fridge, etc||We were sad to leave! Sorry we left it so long to leave a review...

This minshuku, run by a kind young couple assisted by three additional generations of the same family, features excellent service, delicious Okinawan and Japanese food (tailored somewhat to guests' preferences), and very nice rooms. Although we were told in an initial e-mail that no one there speaks English, we managed quite well with the wife's (non)English, our tiny bit of Japanese, and body language. Everyone was extremely helpful --- to the extent of driving us to a few locations where we could not go by bus and helping to arrange activities when language difficulties stymied us. The husband often plays the sanshin and sings after supper; his mother sometimes joins in.||||The place is located about five minutes on foot from a bus stop (Sumiyoshi), but the bus runs only five times daily in each direction. Hoshisuna Beach is about half an hour on foot and one stop by bus. A few other very beautiful beaches are closer.||||During our stay, all other visitors to the minshuku were Japanese. In fact, during our week on Iriomote, we saw only one Western tourist. I would highly recommend this inn to Westerners who can speak even a bit of Japanese and are patient and culturally curious.||||More information is available at http://www.sawayakasou.com/english/index.html. The Japanese page has more information than the English one --- including the fact that the 9,000-yen-per-person rooms with private bath, both Japanese and Western, have...

Because the ferry going to Uehara was cancelled, had to take the ferry going to the other port named Ohara and took the bus from there, which is about 1 hour to reach the minshuku. They don't do pick up in Ohara. Minshuku is simple, room clean, bed had only 1 pillow and had to request additional pillow and blanket (was here March and the weather was cloudy, overcast with rain shower and a bit cold). Shampoo, conditioner and body soap but no toothbrush/toothpaste. Bath & face towels change everyday. Had booked for 5nights/6days with breakfast, delicious and tasty home cooked. Vegetables are grown while meat or fish bought from Ishigaki. Staff friendly and helpful, was given a ride going to the small supermarket, to the Hoshisuna beach and going to the Urauchi river cruise. They also arranged a memorable firefly tour at one night. Highly recommended but this is only possible for months of March and April and depending on weather condition. Stairs only so if heavy luggage,should ask the staff for assistance. 2nd floor, end of the hall, near my room 207 is a common room for washing (2 washing machine), a big 3 door refrigerator, hot pot for hot...