Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima
On Yakushima’s forested southeast coast, Sankara blends an adults-oriented auberge atmosphere with newly refreshed suites and villas, a sea-view infinity pool, private saunas and cuisine built around the island’s extraordinary natural bounty.
Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima sits on a lush hillside overlooking the sea on the southeastern side of Yakushima, an island whose ancient cedar forests form part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The hotel’s low-rise form is intentionally subordinate to the forest around it.
Accommodation ranges from ocean-view suites to villas tucked into dense greenery. Several categories were comprehensively refreshed in 2026, including Junior Suites in April and the Sankara Villa Suite in May, the latter gaining a private sea-view sauna and outdoor bathing area.
The resort’s infinity pool looks toward the ocean and is complemented by a private sauna, fitness suite, SUP yoga and extensive island exploration. Complimentary transfers from Yakushima Airport and Anbo Port simplify access to an otherwise remote destination.
Dining is central to Sankara’s identity as an auberge-style hotel. Okas offers a more formal full-course experience built around seafood, Kyushu meats and island-grown herbs, while Ayana provides the more relaxed alternative.
Sankara is best for travelers who want Yakushima’s forests and food to define the trip. The 2026 room updates, low room count and highly personalized service make it feel more like a refined island retreat than a conventional Japanese resort.