Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
553 Haginoue, Mugio, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun 891-4402 Kagoshima Prefecture
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About
#1 of 19 hotels in Yakushima-cho
Location
4.2
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.8
Value
3.9
sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima has 29 refined, villa-type rooms, a superb French restaurant, and other facilities set amid the extraordinary beauty of UNESCO World natural Heritage site Yakushima Island, where nature has remained untouched for countless millennia. The Hotel is ideally suited for domestic and foreign guests seeking a truly unique getaway experience. We welcome you to Yakushima, a paradise on Earth.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Canoeing
Free airport transportation
Valet parking
Wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Diving
Hiking
Airport transportation
Car hire
Taxi service
Conference facilities
Meeting rooms
Spa
Foot massage
Head massage
Massage
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Butler service
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Safe
Iron
Refrigerator
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Ocean View
Languages Spoken
English, Japanese
Location
553 Haginoue, Mugio, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun 891-4402 Kagoshima Prefecture
Name/address in local language
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I’ve traveled all over the world, and I can say with certainty that this was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had. They are kind & welcoming hosts - and the rooms were incredible. Great English, and even better service. Plus, the food was OUTSTANDING. Don’t hesitate to stay here if you find yourself in Yakushima!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from sankara hotel, Marketing at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Responded Dec 17, 2022
Thank you for your wonderful review and your stay with us. We feel very much honoured to receive such a great comments on various scenes during your stay. please come back for different season and we would love to share with you more charms about this amazing island. Thank you again for your review on us. SIncerely yours, sankara management team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed three nights at the Sankara in a first floor villa room, which is their least expensive. We also had upgraded our dinner to have it in the Oras restaurant, which was their nicer restaurant, The cottage was nicely laid out, and comfortable. Meals were superb,and among the best that we have had. For the three dinners, we sat at the chefs counter, which is highly recommended. The dinners were all amazing, and no dish was repeated. Although styled as French, it was really Japanese with local fresh ingredients, although a few dishes required a fork and knife. They also listened to our food likes and dislikes. Breakfast was also amazing, with great pastries and cooked dishes. We highly recommend the crepe. My wife took advantage of the spa and had an excellent shiatsu massage and also a Thai message, which was by a Thai masseuse. The stag was very attentive NS responsive, and remembered what we wanted, and who we were. Of the seven hotels we stayed at in Kyushu, this one had the most and best English speakers.…
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
After a great time at Sankara (and Yakushima overall) 2 years ago, we decided that a return visit was in order. Would a second stay serve to enhance or diminish the fond memories we had from 2019? I can emphatically say that our love affair with Sankara was reaffirmed - no aspect of our experience caused a blemish to the fond memories we had. The food, spa, service, accommodations - they were all exceptional yet again. We thoroughly enjoyed the Sankara Villa Suite during our prior stay, but decided this time to go for the top room, the Sankara Suite. It's a gigantic 126m² in size, and has separate bedroom/living room/dining room, an indoor and open-air bath, and even a spa room with massage beds (for 2 people) where you can get treatments in the comfort of your Suite if you prefer. It also had an expansive balcony with views of the Ocean. Although we loved the Sankara Suite, there were some aspects to it that would have us recommend the Sankara Villa Suite (at least the one we stayed in, which was Room #10) over the Sankara Suite. For starters, the panoramic view of the ocean from the Villa Suite is completely unobstructed, unlike in the Villa Suite, which - while still very nice - had roofs that were visible in the line of sight, partly because the Villa Suite is more elevated. And the Villa Suite is still spacious (104m².) We also felt that the spa room in the Sankara Suite was overkill and unnecessary - it's a very short (and covered) walk from the Sankara Suite to the actual Spa, and Mrs. KI-NRT wanted to check out the spa products on display in any case, so having the therapists come to our room wasn't such a valuable luxury worth paying the huge price difference between the two rooms. Which leads me to my second point... Sankara is very, very expensive. Even the entry-level rooms are not cheap by any means. The Sankara Suite is not quite double the price of the Villa (which is already in nosebleed room rate territory), but at the prices that they charge, you sort of demand perfection and then some. Thankfully, Sankara's overall experience was so extraordinary that it somewhat justifies the exhorbitant rates. It's worth noting that breakfast at Ayana and dinner at the amazing Okas restaurant were included in our room rate. While there are many wonderful boutique luxury hotels and ryokans in Japan, in many ways Sankara takes service, convenience and amenities to an Aman-like level. Airport transfers are complimentary and private (each group of guests get their own driver and van), they have a fleet of vehicles that you can rent by the hour (and you'll want to drive because getting around in Yakushima via public transport is extremely inconvenient) and - while they don't assign a butler to you - most (if not all) of our preferences from our previous stay were recorded and remembered. For instance, they knew that we don't like Champagne, so as a welcome offering in our room, they had a nice bottle of wine waiting for us upon arrival. What's more, my masseuse pointed out that she treated me during our last visit and knew exactly what kind of treatment she provided me. Same goes for food preferences and allergies at both Ayana and Okas. Aside from that, all of the staff members were otherwise friendly, professional and prompt in looking after our every need. The vast majority of staffers were folks that we remembered from our last stay, which says a lot about Sankara's management and working conditions; the employees seem to be well looked after, and it shows in the overall service level of the property. Our two dinners at Okas was once again extraordinary. Head Chef Kenji Hayashi is a total genious. The food is French-inspired cuisine using local ingredients. Highlights included the Specially-prepared "Broken Neck" Blue Mackerel with Chickpea Hummus and Asparagus Leaves), Asahigani Crab and Scallop Ravioli with Crab Dashi and Garlic Sauce, and several wonderful desserts such as the Island Banana Ice Cream with Guava Sauce, Warabi Mochi and Framboise Powder. And, as I mentioned in my previous review, the Pain Rustique the finest dinner bread we've ever had. Overall, each course is full of flavor without being rich and overly saucy, meaning we went through two consecutive dinners there being well-fed without any sense of feeling bloated. Yakushima, by itself, is worthy of a visit, but Sankara adds to the greatness by offering an Aman-like experience (but with better food than at the majority of Amans) and a Bali-esque vibe, located in the foothills of a beautiful mountain range with the calming views of the Ocean. It's a destination resort that happens to be located on a unique destination island. We wouldn't rule out a third visit to Sankara, this time with parents in tow.…
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Date of stay: December 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
It’s a wonderful space to be relaxed and recharged the energy. The service is so reliable, and also the quality of the restaurant is as good as in the top restaurant in Tokyo. Love this hotel, I hope to come back shortly!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from 屋久島 サンカラホテルアンドスパ, お客様サービス / フロント オフィス at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Responded Sep 27, 2020
Dear lemauve sama Thank you for your recent stay at sankara hotel&spa Yakushima. It is so grateful to receive this wonderful review. Yakushima is such a magical place and there are endless to discover its attraction. We are glad to hear taht you recharged yourself during your stay! Thank you for also giving great compliments about our restaurant. Our chefs are very passionate about the food to be creative and it is the one of its kind here you can experience. We look forward to welcoming you back near future. With Well Regards, Ryoko Ado
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I had a really good time in Yakushima, especially in this resort. The staff are really friendly and kind. The highlight while staying here is probably the dinner they provided here was really decent and delicious. I would definitely come back again in the near future.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from sankarahotel-spa, マネージャー at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Responded Apr 17, 2020
Dear jcwttravel - sama Thank you for your recent stay with us at sankara hotel&spa Yakushima. Our team is glad to hear that yours stay in Yakushima with us was a memorable one. Our kitchen and restaurant team is specially happy to receive your positive comments about your dining experience. As you come back, we will always welcome you to a new discovery of sankara and Yakushima. More you return to Yakushima, more you fall in love with this amazing island. Sincerely yours, sankara Management team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Sankara is an incredible property on an amazing island. It is a peaceful, serene and supremely comfortable hotel with wonderful food. We stayed 3 nights in a Sankara Villa Suite, which - at 104 square meters - was clean, spacious and tastefully furnished and adorned. The amenities were top notch - everything from the toothbrush, moisturizing cream to in-room treats were of very high quality, showing that Sankara definitely does not skimp on the details. The hardware throughout the entire resort was equally tasteful and to a very high standard. It was modern in functionality but muted and earthly in tone, giving it a great sense of place and not dominating the incredible landscape that it's a part of. Service was warm and attentive, and was representative of Japan's "Omotenashi" ethos taken to the highest levels. Nothing was impossible, including the ability to rent a vehicle directly from Sankara on an hourly basis (not cheap, but neither is the hotel itself.) Sankara is a property that would be among the best in Aman's portolio, but raises the bar with its incredible food & beverage (something that is somewhat lacking in quite a few Amans.) The various bread offerings during breakfast at Ayana is one of the highlights - you'll just have to taste it to believe it. But the true shining star is the dinner experience at Okas. What everyone says is right; it really ought to have a Michelin star. We were initially intending to have one dinner there (on the first night), but wound up going every evening. The dishes in the tasting menu are completely different every day, and even though it is European inspired, it is not at all rich, saucy and heavy. Rather it's very much Japanese in that they do an amazing job at bring out the flavors of the incredible seasonal Japanese ingredients taken from both land and sea. The food offerings are as tasty as they are innovative. We just might consider going back to Sankara just for the dining experience, which is saying a lot given the crazy amount of awesome food options available throughout Japan. Yakushima Island is enchanting, unique and unbelievably green. We visited for the nature (especially the hiking), but Sankara contributed to a "complete" experience.…
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Date of stay: November 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from 屋久島 サンカラホテルアンドスパ, お客様サービス / フロント オフィス at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Responded Jan 20, 2021
Dear KI-NRT Thank you for your wonderful review and your stay with us. We feel very much honoured to receive such a great comments on various scenes during your stay. please come back for different season and we would love to share with you more charms about this amazing island. Thank you again for your review on us. SIncerely yours, sankara management team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for 4 nights in November. Yakushima is an amazing island and was a great change of pace on our Japan trip. While it was very rainy (as somewhat expected) we still managed to explore the island and it’s nature. The hotel is fabulous and the staff (including Nobu and Aki) went above and beyond making us feel welcome and ensuring we enjoy our stay. Food at Ayana was great as well, though we didn’t get to experience their restaurant Okas. Being able to rent a car from the hotel was very convenient and allowed us to explore the island. If you want to treat yourself, Sankara is the place to stay on Yakushima.
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from 屋久島 サンカラホテルアンドスパ, お客様サービス / フロント オフィス at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Responded Jan 20, 2021
Dear henningSaul sama Thank you for your stay with sankara hotel&spa Yakushima and wonderful review and stars to us. There are so much more to show you and let you explore in this amazing island. Please come back in the future and we'll have more surprises next tie you stay with us. Thank you again for staying with us. Sincerely yours, sankara management team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Two things stand out at Sankara Hotel & Spa that place it on my list of top places to stay anywhere in the world. The first, is the proactive, friendly, amazing staff. Never before have the staff informed me before an airline that my particular flight had been cancelled, and not to worry, because they had already rebooked me on the next flight. Upon arrival (even the second plane was running late), we were greeting by our personal concierge/butler, who was waiting with a sign for us at the airport. Driving to the resort, we were briefed on those items we had already booked in advance (like the stellar spa, and the resort guided hikes - seriously get the resort guide, so much better than hiring outside!), but we were also asked about our other interests. I love woodwork and coffee, so the butler arranged for me to take a coffee roasting course (seriously they have that here, and it was a lot of fun!), as well as a little adventure to make a small thing with the local cedar. At the resort, check in was very smooth, and came with a delicious drink, in the lounge, while our baggage was being delivered to the room. Each day we had a hike booked, when we returned, a hot bath was already poured for us. The meals, especially the evening meal, were some of the best I've had in my life (I still don't understand why the chef isn't Michelin rated yet, he's a genius with flavors and textures). Also while there, we were quickly driven from our room to the main lodge whenever we requested. At no time during our six night stay did we have to wait more than 3 minutes, they were that responsive. Every day we were greeting warmly, and were given the sense that all the staff there were happy to have us as guests, and were genuinely happy to answer our questions and again proactively try and make things happen for us. There is simply a level of detail and anticipation, observation and understanding, that I haven't even seen at Emirates resorts. I am very glad that we chose this place for our honeymoon, because even the small touches were appreciated, and the staff had the warmth and sincerity, as well as the skill to make it all work. Honestly, I can't think how they could have been better in customer service, they were as near to perfect as I've ever seen. The second thing that makes this place stellar are the amenities. Not only is the food absolutely top notch, but the spa is a peaceful, relaxing and utterly enjoyable place. Couple that with the natural beauty surrounding the resort (as the entire island is amazing), and the way the lodge takes advantage of such views, and it truly is close to paradise. With beautiful rooms with comfortable beds and the peace and quiet, this place has become extremely special to me.…
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Date of stay: November 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Yakushima, not the most straightforward place to get to, is a fascinating and beautiful island which is really well worth a visit. This hotel would be a top choice for somewhere to stay if you do. From the airport pickup onwards we were really impressed by the attentive but unobtrusive way we were looked after. The hotel location is ideal and very scenic (though we want to go back when it’s warm enough to enjoy the outdoor pool). Our first dinner was excellent in the “standard” restaurant, to the extent that we wondered how it might be bettered in the upgrade (French) restaurant. It was. The meal we enjoyed on our second night was one of the most memorable we’ve had.
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from sankarahotel-spa, マネージャー at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Responded Nov 30, 2019
Dear 344JamesT344 Thank you for your recent stay at sankara hotel&spa Yakushima. We are delighted to hear your great comments and everything is very precisely described of each scene. Thank you so much for taking your time for leaving this review. It would be another wonderful memory to pamper yourself at our pool where you can just chill out or choose to try pool Stand UP Paddle Yoga. Summer in Yakushima offer variety of activities and you discover countless beauties of this island. Last not least, we are pleased to hear that you enjoyed sankara cuisine at both restaurant. The dishes our chefs create are always beyond expectation and as it is so creative, in case you stay a month with us, they will serve you new discovery for you. We will share your great comments with all of our members. We look forward to welcoming you in Yakushima in near future. Sincerely yours, Ryoko Ado
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The most wonderful hotel I have ever stayed at. World class food and wine. Beautiful rooms and scenery. Incredibly helpful and friendly staff. By the last day, I made sure to ask for things in advance to avoid the staff sprinting across the pool to try and help immediately. Of course, the requests weren't urgent but the staff clearly wanted to do everything possible to make the stay perfect, and it was.
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
$522 - $943 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
JapanKyushuKagoshima PrefectureKumage-gunYakushima-cho
NUMBER OF ROOMS
29
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
Which popular attractions are close to Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Nearby attractions include Yakusugi Land (3.2 miles), Sempiro Falls (1.1 miles), and Kigensugi Cedar (4.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Yes, free parking and valet parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Conveniently located restaurants include Kamogawa, Nomado Cafe, and Jiijiya.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Does Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima have airport transportation?
Yes, Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to meeting rooms and conference facilities during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Japanese.