Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima

My stay at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima was nothing short of magical. Nestled in the ancient forests of Yakushima, the resort blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, offering a rare mix of refined luxury and deep tranquility. The suite was elegant and serene, with panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding forest. Every detail—from the warm wood interiors to the handmade amenities—reflected thoughtful design and a deep respect for the island. One of the most unforgettable moments of my stay happened on the last night. That evening at Okas, I was surprised with a beautiful, celebratory dessert presented with a glowing candle and warm, sincere birthday wishes from the staff. It was unexpected, tasteful, and so deeply personal—it truly touched me. And just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any more special, I returned to my suite to find towel swans gracefully arranged on the table with a handwritten birthday card waiting for me. That quiet, intimate moment of returning to the room and seeing such care taken just for me is something I’ll never forget. The staff at Sankara are exceptional—attentive without being intrusive, intuitive, and genuinely kind. They made sure that everything flowed effortlessly throughout my stay. The spa treatments were the perfect complement to the island’s hikes and nature trails—soothing, grounding, and restorative. Sankara isn’t just a hotel—it’s an experience that nourishes the body, mind, and heart. I left with incredible memories, especially of a birthday that was made unforgettable not through extravagance, but through sincerity, grace, and heartfelt attention.

Sankara is a beautiful hotel on an absolutely incredible island. Our room was spacious and filled with various amenities, and the in-room jacuzzi was amazing after a long day of hiking. But the spectacular property and landscape is itself topped by the hotel staff's exceptional service, as the entire Sankara team went out of its way (in various ways) to make our stay special (we were celebrating our engagement). I hope we have the chance to stay at Sankara again, and I highly recommend Sankara for anyone looking for a luxurious home base for their trip to Yakushima or for anyone looking for a beautiful place to celebrate a special occasion.

Spent 4 nights here, using it as a base to explore Yakushima. We were really torn between sightseeing and enjoying the facilities. The staff are very attentive and helpful - dealt with a flat tyre on the hire car as we were leaving in less than 10 minutes. The accommodation is spacious and comfortable, the food very good and facilities are excellent. Very happy to use the free guest laundry to wash dirty walking clothes - it does rain a bit on the island.

The stay at Sankara leveled up our trip to Japan significantly. The accommodation was great (not to forget the 24/7 „onsen“ in it), the food was excellent and the service we experienced was the best in my life thanks to a staff who was always keen to understand your needs and wishes and fulfill them im the most sincere way.

The staff are super friendly and meticulous. They started contacting me once I confirmed my booking, providing suggestions on tours and offering pick up service. The weather was unstable during our stay due to the typhoon hitting Okinawa, the staff offered rainproof trekking suits rental knowing we are going trekking the other day. When we were back from trekking, I was surprised to see they got the bathtub ready for us to relax in the warm water. The housekeeping tidied up the room everytime we went out and I found an eyeglass cleaning cloth under my glasses when I came back. They even helped us to remove the old luggage tag (which I did not realize until I'm checking in my luggage in the airport). I'm impressed that they actually did so much little gestures!! The food at the restaurant are soooo good as well!!!