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.

Nothing, my stay was absolutely perfect.

Everything. Literally the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at. If there was such a thing as “six stars,” they should have the designation. And I’ve stayed at five star properties. Food was exceptional. Room was huge, spotlessly clean, 100% private, and beautifully appointed. The private bath was eye-popping and wonderful. Beds were perfect. But the best part by far was the service—the level of care, the attention to detail. Rio, Jun, and Tommy were among the many staff we interacted with. Rio was kind, natural, thorough in explaining the facilities. Jun was a whiz with wines and food recommendations. Tommy noticed my left-handedness and made sure my place setting was arranged to accommodate it at every meal. I was blown away. Hidden gems: fabulous e-bikes for rent, free cookies and snacks in the lobby and room, corn ice-tea, and free passes to the beautiful onsen at their sister property, Samana.

Absolutely nothing.

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.

Sankara was like being in a tropical paradise with a staff that anticipated our every need. The property was absolutely beautiful and many of the staff spoke English very well, so communication was no issue. In all our travels we have never been to such an accommodating hotel where the staff took such great care of us and were so warm and friendly. The food was fantastic, and the lobby always had refreshments available for snacking or drinks. They arranged for our hiking gear so we could go see the Sugi trees--which were amazing!

In our cabin, the bathroom was definitely in need of an update but the rest of the room was great and super comfy.

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.

Nothing - cannot fault this place and would stay again

The staff at the Sankara gave exceptional service and high-quality meals. We went on a hike one day, and when we got back, they had drawn a bath, perfectly timed after 6 hours of walking. They accommodated our vegetarian daughter, and the room was impeccable and had everything you would ever need, from razors and power strips to nice speakers, ample storage, excellent lighting, and much more. If you enjoy nature and hiking and are looking for a beautiful resort to relax in, this is the place. The pool is also wonderful.

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.

This resort is fabulous - a stunning location (epic views) and beautifully maintained property. The food and service were second to none - seriously - we returned from a long day of hiking to hot baths drawn in our rooms. Our family had two types of rooms (a Jr suite and a villa), and both were lovely with ocean views. Our packages included breakfast, dinner and outstanding spa treatments making this resort a great value, as well. Our dinners at Okas restaurant were Michelin-worthy. Thank you, Sankara, for a wonderfully memorable stay!

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!!!

Basically nothing except a little pricey

Beautiful location, fantastic warm, welcoming and helpful staff. Food was all outstanding, especially at Okas restaurant, breakfast had a great variety of foods and fabulous pastries and breads. The pool was lovely and refreshing after a day sightseeing. Drinks on the terrace or in the lounge too……