Okinawa: Sunsets, Stars and Spas

Enjoy the pampered life at Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas.

Offering year-round marine and leisure fun for all the family, plus a wellness center, gym and fresh fusion cuisine, the starlit Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas is nearer to Taiwan than Naha, the capital of Okinawa.

However, three-hour direct flights from Haneda International Airport to Ishigaki Island, where the hotel is located, put it within easy reach.

With 21 types of locally inspired rooms, suites and villas, this sophisticated modern resort allows families and couples to fully embrace Ishigaki’s diverse nature, cuisine and culture, and even explore the nearby remote islands.

I was awed by the endless starry sky—Ishigaki Island is the only place in Japan where you can see 84 of the 88 constellations and the Southern Cross.

VARIETY OF DELIGHTS
I thoroughly enjoyed a soft and soothing foot bath with mineral-rich local salt at the air-conditioned Fusaki Spa. Almost hidden among tropical plants, the spa is attended by bilingual therapists offering unrushed traditional and modern massage treatments and pampering.

And for dining, my favorite of the hotel’s four restaurants was Hanaré, which serves an innovative wine-paired fusion course menu featuring the long-preserved techniques and sustainable ingredients of Ryukyu cuisine, strongly influenced by Japan, China and Southeast Asia. A sparkling chandelier reminiscent of Ishigaki’s celebrated night sky and an illuminated Ryukyuan garden take center stage. The highlights included the juicy giant clams and crispy island vegetables, along with the subtle umami flavor of fermented dashi (soup stock)—served with impeccable hospitality, warmth and attention to detail. The 10-course menu climaxed with subtropical fruits, ice cream, sweet sake and soothing bedtime beverages. The hotel also offers more casual buffet, barbecue and café options as well as The Star Bar, an outdoor venue where you can enjoy the famous local awamori.

One excited young family at breakfast on my last day told me how they easily dozed off to the calming sound of waves, birds, insects and plants swaying in the gentle breeze, while I ended my evenings to distant laughter, soft chatter and a sanshin guitar playing island tunes.