June 1, 2019: “YANBARU HOSTEL” Opens, Renovating a 45-Year-Old Abandoned Hotel
Kunigami Village, located at the northernmost tip of Okinawa. While home to the world-renowned Yanbaru National Park, compared to the southern part of Okinawa where tourist attractions cluster, the reality is that Kunigami Village’s inherent appeal remains largely misunderstood, starting with the gap in recognition both within Japan and globally. The project began here by renovating a 45-year-old abandoned hotel. The structure was dilapidated, with cracked exterior walls and leaks. Demolishing and rebuilding would have been simple, but driven by a strong desire for regional revitalization and a wish to pass on the good old things to the next generation, the choice was made to renovate (regenerate). Designed to transform its age into an asset, the hostel found its path forward by shifting from a high-priced hotel to an affordable lodging option.
- Live-in Hostel
Offers plans for long-term stays, including relocation experiences and live-in work placements. - Playful Hostel
Features leisure spaces with ping pong, billiards, bouldering, and a DJ booth. Step outside to enjoy surfing, cycling, and trekking amidst untouched natural resources. - Workable Hostel
Features a coworking space open to nomad workers, freelancers, designers, artists, and more.
Mission
Our mission is to create a “system for regional revitalization” through our hotel business. The first step is to create an accessible entry point for attracting new residents by providing support for both employment and housing. Next, we will support entrepreneurship within the village. While Kunigami Village actively pursues World Natural Heritage designation, it also faces challenges like a shortage of restaurants and lodging facilities. We will reach out to aspiring entrepreneurs both within and outside the prefecture, assisting them in finding properties and connecting with local residents. This will increase employment, boost population, stimulate consumption, and ultimately revitalize the village. The success of the hostel cannot exist without regional revitalization. That is its very raison d’être.
YANBARU HOSTEL
1429 Hentona, Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture
0908-41-2787
https://yanbaru-hostel.jp/
