Rosewood Miyakojima

Rosewood marked its Japan debut with something rather unexpected—a resort on an untouched, remote peninsula on a tropical island off the southern coast of Japan, near Okinawa. The hotel group tapped Dutch designer Piet Boon to conceive the property, who was smitten by what he describes as “a serene and unspoiled destination”. He designed it to frame the surrounding landscape, caressing and playfully curving around the natural rock formations and coastline. Boon also drew inspiration from the history and culture of the surrounding Ryuku Islands, with local Ryuku stone playing a central role in the earthy architectural palette complemented by clean lines and textures that reflect the island’s pristine beaches and calm waters. 

The resort’s 55 villas are divided into five different zones across the peninsula, each celebrating a distinct aspect of Miyakojima’s natural beauty. Villas take their names from Uchinaaguchi —the Okinawan dialect—references to the unique topography of their respective locations: Daya villas look out over dramatic coastal cliffs; Mui villas are perched in the peace and quiet of the mountains; Miji villas are on the tip of the peninsula, surrounded by the sea; Uru villas sit directly on the sand; and Isu villas enjoy the tranquillity of a rocky beach. What they do have in common is they all boast private pools, and uninterrupted ocean views. Nice.