TSUKIHOSHIHI.Stay

The shifting sky, the scent of the sea breeze, the warmth of the ocean, and the songs echoing through the forest.
With just a moment of quiet awareness, the presence of nature—so often overlooked—begins to gently emerge.
Humans do not stand apart from nature; we have always existed as part of it.
Guided by the rhythms of the sun, the moon, and the stars, we live within the cycles of the earth.
Here, you may rediscover what is quietly precious, something long forgotten in the flow of everyday life.
Wrapped in the island’s light and breeze, a time to reconnect with nature.

TSUKIHOSHIHI.Stay is a private, one-group-per-day retreat with an adjoining shop, quietly set between the forest and the sea in Ashitoku, in the northern part of Amami Oshima.
At the end of a long journey, we encountered Amami Oshima and were deeply moved by its nature and culture.
Forests where primal life still thrives, a sea full of vitality, a way of life attuned to the lunar calendar, and people who weave bonds within their community.
Here, we found a way of living that honours and respects nature, moving gently within its cycles.
We created this place with the hope that those who visit may, in their own way, feel a connection with nature.
We welcome you with a space that invites quiet awareness, along with a small selection of thoughtfully made, nature-inspired items.

Architecture

Traditional architecture rooted in a region’s climate, landscape, and way of life is known as vernacular architecture.
Amami Oshima is warm and humid throughout the year. At TSUKIHOSHIHI, we draw on the wisdom of vernacular architecture from the Nansei Islands, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, creating a space that lives in harmony with the island’s environment.
This site sits with mountains to the north and the sea to the south—what is known in feng shui as haizan rinsui.
As the island is frequently affected by typhoons, the building follows the natural contours of the land, with lowered eaves and an open structure that allows the wind to pass through, while remaining grounded and calm in its presence.
To ensure a comfortable stay, several thoughtful elements have been incorporated.
Deep eaves—known as amahaji in the Nansei Islands and lanai in Hawaii—gently connect indoors and outdoors while shielding from sun and rain.
An elevated floor protects the interior from humidity and flooding, while offering distant views of the sea.
Large windows invite seasonal breezes, creating a seamless connection with the outdoors.
High windows draw in light and scenery from the sky and forest, guiding airflow through natural temperature differences.
Earth-toned materials and a sense of openness create a quiet setting, allowing both nature and the guest’s experience to take centre stage.

We invite you to spend a gentle moment here, embraced by the island’s light and breeze, with someone dear to you.
　　　　　　　

GardenA great akagi tree over a hundred years old stands here, surrounded by a garden of plants native to this land—tree ferns, fan palms, shell ginger, and banana. Each leaf has its own distinct form, and in their differences, a quiet beauty emerges.
At night, wrapped in the light of the moon, simply spend time being within nature.

Dining & KitchenA dining table crafted from a single slab of oak, paired with an island kitchen overlooking the deep greens of the forest and the blues of the sea.
Enjoy relaxed, unhurried moments gathered around the table.

LivingAs you settle into the large sofa, a sun motif woven from Oofutoi grass on the wall slowly shifts its expression with the changing light.
Just behind the house, the forest unfolds—visited by grey-faced buzzards in winter, and by ruddy kingfishers and Japanese paradise flycatchers in summer.
Listening to the calls of migratory birds, you can sense the quiet passage of the seasons.

BedFall asleep to the lullabies of the Ryukyu scops owl and Amami green tree frogs, and awaken to the song of the Amami robin.

The open-plan bed space flows seamlessly from the living area,
and for stays of three or more guests, a private room is also available for quiet retreat.

BathroomLarge windows in the washroom and bathroom open to views of the sky and forest.
With the changing colours of the sky as your backdrop, take time to gently unwind both body and mind.

Presence of the moonAll windows are positioned to offer views of the moon throughout the seasons.
Amami is an island that values the lunar calendar, reflecting the movement of the sun and the phases of the moon.
Take a moment to notice how the moon changes its expression with each day and hour.

Echo of the seaSurrender yourself to the gentle sea, and once you feel refreshed and clear, step into the amahaji rain shower.
Let the water slowly cleanse your body, and linger a little longer in the afterglow of time.

Sound of rainWe have not installed gutters, allowing the rain to fall directly from the eaves to the ground.
In rain-rich Amami, the sound and presence of rain are part of nature itself.
On rainy days, take a moment to listen to this gentle blessing that nourishes the forest.

TSUKIHOSHIHI.Shop

A shop is housed on site, offering essential oils and floral waters distilled from domestically grown, pesticide-free plants, along with accessories and herbal teas.
We would be delighted if you could stop by during your stay.

Opening days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Hours: 11:00 – 17:00
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