NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH: Sou Fujimoto’s Vision of a Second Earth on Ishigaki Island

Set on a sprawling 9,900 square meters property along the southeastern coast of Okinawa’s Ishigaki Island, a unique circular villa has just opened. NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH, which debuted on July 1st, is the largest and most impressive property in the NOT A HOTEL series to date.

A Villa in Seamless Harmony with Ishigaki’s Natural Environment

NOT A HOTEL is a shared villa service characterized by its network system, allowing owners to use not only the property they purchased but all NOT A HOTEL locations. It has often attracted attention through collaborations with world-renowned architects and creators such as NIGO® and Masamichi Katayama.

The newest addition, EARTH on Ishigaki Island, was designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, who is also the design producer for the 2025 World Expo in Japan. The villa was envisioned as a space that harmonizes with the earth while creating a unique, special “second earth”.

The landscaping plan was crafted by garden designer Taichi Saito. The lush courtyard is shaped like a sunken bowl, so when standing inside, only the sky and sea are visible. Viewed from above, the villa blends seamlessly into its surroundings, erasing any boundaries.

When the previous owner sold the land, their condition was that the surrounding environment must not be disturbed. Impressed by NOT A HOTEL’s respect for this commitment, they decided to entrust the property to them.

A Private Sensory Escape to a World Beyond the Everyday

Even when you’re inside the villa, every detail is designed to immerse you in the beauty of the sea, sky, and surrounding trees.

For instance, the infinity pool lets you watch the sun dip below the horizon while feeling the sound of the waves and the gentle Ishigaki breeze. The sauna features a skylight with a water basin that casts light like you’re beneath the ocean. The bathroom overlooks the sea, and the living-dining area offers sweeping panoramic views. Wherever you are, you’ll truly feel like you’re in a one-of-a-kind place, in harmony with nature.

Gather with family and friends to enjoy the beach and have a BBQ in the garden. Afterward, relax in the living room with a drink under a star-filled sky before retiring to your own room. Even with a large group, everyone can unwind comfortably while balancing time together and personal space.

A Culinary and Cultural Journey Rooted in the Land’s Story

At NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH, guests can arrange breakfast and dinner according to their preferences. For private dinners, a dedicated chef serves a special course menu featuring the season’s freshest seafood and mountain delicacies nurtured by Okinawa’s rich natural environment. The menu centers on locally sourced Ishigaki beef, island fish, and fresh island vegetables, prepared with minimal processing to highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient.

Other offerings include Agu pork shabu-shabu, a shared-style Okinawan home-cooked dinner featuring 8 to 10 dishes, and the “CHEF’s PREMIUM BBQ,” where the chef grills select Okinawan ingredients over charcoal on the terrace.

To make the stay even more memorable, the Experiences in ISHIGAKI activity program offers live sanshin performances during dinner, subtropical mangrove explorations, and the chance to craft original awamori at a local distillery.

NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH is a place to rest your body, soothe your mind, and satisfy your intellectual curiosity. When the demands of daily life and the digital world feel overwhelming, escape to this second earth.

NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH
Location: 120-92 Miyara, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, 907-0243, Japan
Website: https://notahotel.com/en/properties/ishigaki-earth

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ZEROMILE showcases a diverse range of information on Japan for intellectually curious travelers. Topics are curated by the editorial team under the theme of "Bringing psychological distance to ZERO through curiosity."

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