Haimurubushi, Japan's southernmost resort, operated by Mitsui Fudosan Group's Haimurubushi Co., Ltd. on Kohama Island in Okinawa's Yaeyama Islands, is running a special autumn promotion from September 1 (Tue) to November 30 (Mon), 2026, under the brand message "Yaeyama's nature, up close." Timed to akinagi, the calm-sea season when summer heat eases and the ocean grows still, the program pairs night wellness experiences under a clear autumn sky with gastronomy built around the island's seasonal flavors, aimed at unwinding body and mind and rediscovering a sense of balance.
This Autumn's Theme: "Akinagi Island Time — Where the Senses Grow Clear in a Season of Quiet Pause"
Kohama Island in autumn brings gentle breezes and mild weather. The sea, too, takes on a hushed beauty in the season known as akinagi, or "autumn calm."
For this season, Haimurubushi has built a stay program meant to unwind the senses one by one, amid clear air and comforting quiet, refreshing and resetting guests along the way. Away from the noise of daily life, guests can spend a "pause," with each experience on the island offering what the resort calls nuchigusui — "medicine for life" — for a restorative holiday.
Night-Time Well-Being
Reboot Body and Mind in the Quiet of a Starlit Night
From the moment guests arrive, Haimurubushi sets the stage for a memorable stay. After checking in and settling into the room, once the fatigue of travel has eased, this autumn's stay opens with an experience beneath a beautiful starry sky.
Private Sauna & Quiet Pool
Born from the resort's 2025 renewal, the full-scale "SAUNA BLOCK" sauna was designed under the supervision of sauna creative group TTNE. For this program, the entire space is reserved exclusively for one group, offering a private plunge into stillness, away from daily noise and other guests' eyes.
Inside the sauna at night, soft moonlight filters in through large windows, while fresh löyly and whisking made with mountain ginger (gettou) leaves grown on Kohama Island fill the air with a natural fragrance. The scent helps ease the day's tension and gently loosens body and mind from within.
The experience then continues with outdoor relaxation time at the Quiet Pool. Sinking into an infinity chair beneath Kohama Island's star-filled sky — the island is home to Japan's first certified Dark Sky Reserve — and the pale light of the moon, guests are soothed by the clear sound of waves.
Wrapped in the night breeze and starlight, guests may feel a "zero-gravity" sensation, as if floating in midair. With each slow breath, mind and body feel filled and cleared from deep within, in what the resort describes as an ultimate reset.
Staff recommendation:
"In this fully private space, you can enter a deep meditative state without worrying about anyone else. It's a powerful wellness experience that lets you shed the fatigue of everyday life and reawaken your senses."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM (90 minutes)
- Price: ¥33,000 per group of up to 2 guests (+¥11,000 per additional guest, up to 8 guests total)
- Location: Quiet Pool & SAUNA BLOCK
Floating Sound Bath
Guests float in the Quiet Pool, which opens toward the sea, gazing up at the stars while the overtones of crystal singing bowls wash over the body. As the vibration of sound and the buoyancy of water come together, this floating wellness experience offers a new kind of relaxation, releasing the tension and stress of everyday life.
Staff recommendation:
"Feeling the ripple of the water across your whole body brings deep relaxation, and being wrapped in sound waves guides your brainwaves into a deeply relaxed state. It's an ideal program for anyone looking to improve sleep or reset mentally."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (60 minutes)
- Price: ¥8,500
- Location: Quiet Pool
Haimurubushi Nature Night Walk
Covering approximately 120,000 tsubo (about 40 hectares), the entire Haimurubushi grounds lie within Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. After sunset, the resort holds its popular Nature Night Walk.
Under some of the world's clearest starry skies, guests explore the jungle with a specialist guide, encountering Yaeyama flying foxes crossing the night sky, moonlit tropical plants that seem to glow, and the presence of nocturnal creatures, all while listening to the guide's stories about the island.
Staff recommendation:
"This is one of Haimurubushi's most popular activities, well loved by adults and children alike for its genuine encounter with nature that stirs a sense of adventure. Listening closely to the sounds of the night awakens senses that can get lost in everyday life."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (60 minutes)
- Price: ¥2,500 (ages 6 and up)
- Location: Resort grounds
Morning Well-Being
Retreat Body and Mind in the Beauty of the Calm Sea and Morning Sun
After a night filled with starlight and restful sleep, mornings bring a refined moment on the sea during akinagi, the calm season.
SUP Morning Tour
Autumn is Kohama Island's akikaji season, said to be when the sea is calmest all year. Guests paddle out onto a morning sea as still and clear as a mirror, the gentle sound of paddles moving through water accompanying the journey across the open ocean. Bathed in the morning sun and clear autumn air, guests can feel body and mind settle into a refreshed rhythm.
Staff recommendation:
"This is a Kohama Island experience where you can enjoy both exercise and relaxation at once, on a clear sea with few other people around in the early morning. It's a way to start the day with a clear mind and body."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026 (may be suspended depending on tide conditions)
- Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM (90 minutes; may vary by tide and season)
- Price: ¥8,500
- Location: Kohama Island
Daytime Well-Being
Recharge the Senses Through the Island's Nature and Culture
After a popular breakfast that draws on the island's traditions of longevity foods and fermented dishes, guests can spend the day immersed in nature or trying new experience programs, refreshing the body while recharging the senses.
Mangrove Kayak Tour
With its mild climate and pleasant breeze, autumn is one of the best seasons for kayaking. Among the most popular options is a paddle through the mangrove forest. Guests take in fresh forest air while observing the migratory birds and rich tidal-flat wildlife that become more active this time of year.
Staff recommendation:
"This activity lets you engage with the dynamic natural ecosystem of the Yaeyama Islands and stimulates intellectual curiosity. Because it's gentle on the body, it's comfortably enjoyed by everyone from seniors to families."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: Daytime (120 minutes; timing varies by tide)
- Price: Adults ¥8,500 / Children ¥7,000
- Location: Akaya Bay
Kohama Island E-Bike Scenic Ride
Kohama Island is a small paradise with a coastline of about 16.5 kilometers, where red-tiled traditional houses and Okinawa's old rural scenery still remain. An e-bike ride is one of the best ways to take it in — riding down "Sugar Road," a straight path through sugarcane fields, stopping at refreshing lookout points, or exploring hidden beaches. The resort also provides a recommended route map for guests to enjoy at their own pace.
Staff recommendation:
"This is a popular activity for exploring the island at your own pace. Because it's by bike, you can take in the island's open air and enjoy scenic spots at a relaxed pace, and it sometimes leads to friendly encounters with locals along the way."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Price: From ¥700 per hour
- Location: Kohama Island
Kohama Island Retreat Run (Jogging)
Mornings and evenings on Kohama Island, when the heat eases, are ideal for jogging and running. Taking in roadside flowers, birdsong, and the sparkle of the sea while working up a comfortable sweat offers a retreat for body and mind, and a chance to reconnect with one's true self.
Staff recommendation:
"This is an easy way to enjoy one of the best wellness experiences available. Moving your body in nature is refreshing on its own, and the pleasant tiredness afterward leads to deep, restful sleep at night."
- Period: Through March 30, 2027
- Time: Daytime
- Price: Free
- Location: Resort grounds and island courses
Workshop: Traditional Grass Crafts and Tools
A hands-on program where guests weave traditional grass toys and everyday tools (mingu) using mountain ginger (gettou) and fan palm (kuba) leaves that grow naturally on the island. Guests can immerse themselves in the fresh scent of natural materials while creating something by hand, taking home a piece of Yaeyama's traditional culture in tangible form.
Staff recommendation:
"Focusing your hands and losing yourself in making these tools is said to have a strong relaxing effect. And the finished piece becomes a one-of-a-kind souvenir filled with memories of the island."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: Held between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (60 minutes)
- Price: ¥3,000
- Location: Library Lounge
Ocean Resin Art of Kohama Island
A popular hands-on program that recreates the sea of Kohama Island, known as "Kohama blue," using resin. With support from a certified instructor, guests express the ocean's gradations and rippling waves using clear resin, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that stimulates creativity.
Staff recommendation:
"This is an activity you can enjoy comfortably indoors even on a rainy day. Since the piece is finished on the spot, you can take it home as a memento of the trip — some guests use it as room decor, a way to keep Kohama Island's sea close at hand."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM / 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM (60 minutes)
- Price: From ¥3,800
- Location: Library Lounge
Oracle Card Private Session
A private counseling program to help organize one's thoughts. Using nature-themed oracle cards, guests take part in a session with a dedicated counselor, gently untangling thoughts and emotions caught up in the busyness and stress of daily life. Through conversation, guests can gain new insight and a clearer perspective.
Staff recommendation:
"This is a fully one-on-one experience where you can reflect inward without worrying about others around you. Realizing your true feelings and next steps can be healing in itself, making it a special time devoted entirely to yourself."
- Period: Through November 30, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (60 minutes)
- Price: ¥5,000
- Location: Library Lounge
Island Gastronomy
The Refined Bounty of Okinawa's Yaeyama Islands, in Autumn Island Time
After wellness experiences and activities have eased body and mind, Haimurubushi's autumn-only special menus offer a satisfying close to the day. Guests can enjoy an elegant dinner beneath some of Japan's clearest night skies at The Steak & Grill, unwind while feeling the breeze and nature of Yaeyama at The Lounge & Bar, or relax in an open space overlooking the sea at The Beach Café & Bar, each offering autumn-only specials that showcase the island's rich flavors.
September Only: Seasonal Spiny Lobster Fair
Yaeyama spiny lobster season opens every year on August 1 and reaches its peak from autumn. At The Steak & Grill, a lineup of dishes puts fresh spiny lobster front and center: herb-grilled, in a risotto with a rich Américaine sauce, hollandaise gratin, and a bouillabaisse with local fish, showcasing the chef's range across a variety of styles.
Staff recommendation:
"If there's one ingredient that marks the start of autumn in the Yaeyama Islands, it's spiny lobster. Its springy texture and rich flavor bring a touch of luxury to dinner at a tropical resort."
- Period: Through September 30, 2026
- Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Price: Spiny lobster and Okinawan local fish bouillabaisse, ¥15,000
- Location: The Steak & Grill
September Only: Okinawa Beach Brew Party
With the sound of waves and an open view of the sea, guests can raise a toast with a range of distinctive Okinawan beers. Orion Craft, Wolf Bräu, SANGO BEER, and Ishigakijima Beer, paired with specialty grilled food, bring a beach-party feel to the evening.
Staff recommendation:
"Beer always tastes best in an open-air beach setting. With a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere designed for adults, it's a chance to enjoy the free, cheerful mood unique to a tropical resort."
- Period: Through September 30, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: ¥1,300 each
- Location: The Beach Café & Bar
October Only: The Ultimate Bone-In Steak — US Tomahawk & T-Bone
Autumn's appetite gets a lavish showcase in The Steak & Grill's signature feast of premium cuts. A bold US tomahawk steak, a T-bone that lets guests taste both sirloin and fillet, plus Okinawan pork spare ribs and roasted herb chicken — the kitchen team cooks each cut to its ideal doneness for a special dinner experience.
Staff recommendation:
"These dishes bring visual impact and excellent flavor to the table. The kitchen team prepares each one carefully so that time spent with a group or family becomes an even more memorable occasion."
- Period: October 1–31, 2026
- Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Price: US Tomahawk Steak, ¥30,000 (serves 2–3)
- Location: The Steak & Grill
October Only: Awamori Tasting Under the Moonlight
Awamori, the island's time-honored spirit, takes center stage this October. Under an autumn moon, guests can compare three distinct styles of awamori from the Yaeyama islands of Ishigaki, Hateruma, and Yonaguni, each shaped by its own maker's craft. A tasting sheet and island snacks that complement awamori's deep flavor round out the evening.
Staff recommendation:
"Getting to know the Yaeyama Islands' deep drinking culture makes for a thoughtful bar experience. It's a satisfying, immersive experience for anyone who appreciates fine spirits."
- Period: October 1–31, 2026
- Time: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- Price: ¥2,000
- Location: The Lounge & Bar
November Only: Yaeyama Wagyu Tasting Dinner Course, Featuring Rare Ishigaki Beef and Shinzato Beef
A premium food experience where guests can compare grilled steaks from two of the Yaeyama Islands' celebrated wagyu brands. The course also features a parade of refined dishes, including a colorful vegetable terrine, salt-simmered Chura Buta Agu pork (maasu-ni), and island tofu potage — a menu that expresses the bounty of the subtropics.
Staff recommendation:
"This is a rare chance to enjoy premium wagyu that's seldom found on the open market, all in one sitting. It's an ideal course for anniversaries, treating yourself, or capping off a stay in style."
- Period: November 1–30, 2026
- Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Price: ¥18,000
- Location: The Steak & Grill
About Haimurubushi
Haimurubushi is a resort hotel that opened in 1979 on Kohama Island, located roughly 400 km southwest of Okinawa's main island, near the center of the Yaeyama Islands. Kohama Island lies within Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, which in 2018 became Japan's first certified Dark Sky Reserve.
"Haimurubushi" is a Yaeyama-dialect word meaning the Southern Cross, which can be observed from the resort's grounds from winter through early summer. Set within an environment embraced by blue coral-reef waters and rich nature, the resort has built its philosophy around the idea that "happiness comes whether you do everything or nothing at all," offering guests fulfilling moments through food, wellness, and a range of experiences.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 2930-1 Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa 907-1221 |
| Rooms | 156 (from July 15, 2026) |
| Phone | 0980-85-3111 (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM) |
| Website | https://www.haimurubushi.co.jp/ |
