Common questions about Yukumiya, a whole-house rental in a 60-year-old Okinawan folk house in Nakijin. If your question is not here, please get in touch.
The basics
What kind of place is this?
A 60-year-old traditional Okinawan folk house in the village of Nakijin, in the north of Okinawa's main island. You rent the entire house. There are no shared spaces with other guests.
How many people can stay?
We recommend 1–4 guests. Up to 6 is possible, but please ask us first. Six futon sets are provided.
Can we bring children or a baby?
Yes. Children sharing a futon with a parent are not counted towards the occupancy limit.
Are there beds?
No. You sleep on futons laid out on tatami. Meals are eaten sitting on the floor around a low table.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3:00 PM. Check-out is 10:00 AM.
Is check-in in person?
No — it is self check-in using a key box. There is a camera outside the entrance, used only to confirm check-in and check-out times. There are no cameras inside the house.
Rooms and facilities
Is there a television?
No. The mobile signal is also weak. Wi-Fi does work. This is deliberate — the house is meant for slow time in a natural setting.
Is there heating and cooling? Is it cold in winter?
There are two air conditioners and two electric fans. It is an old wooden house, so there are draughts, but the climate here is subtropical and the air conditioning is enough to keep winter nights comfortable.
Is there a bathtub?
Yes. Bath towels, face towels, shampoo, conditioner, body soap and a hair dryer are provided.
What kind of toilet is there?
A western-style toilet with a washlet (bidet seat).
Can we do laundry?
Yes. There is a washing machine, laundry detergent and a gas dryer, free to use.
What is in the kitchen?
Fridge, microwave, toaster, rice cooker, gas stove, frying pans, a coffee mill, cooking utensils, tableware, cutlery and dish soap.
Can we have a barbecue?
Yes. An electric BBQ grill is provided. Please bring your own food.
Is there cleaning or a towel change during a multi-night stay?
No. We do not clean or change towels between nights. The washing machine and gas dryer are there for you to use.
Food and shopping
Where can we buy food?
There are supermarkets in the village — Kina Super, A-Coop and Kanehide — and unmanned roadside produce stalls nearby, where farmers leave vegetables out with an honesty box.
Are there restaurants or convenience stores nearby?
The nearest convenience store and restaurants are about a 10-minute drive away.
Getting here
How long does it take from Naha Airport?
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
Do we need a rental car?
It makes the trip much easier. Kouri Island, the Nakijin Castle Ruins and Churaumi Aquarium are all short drives from the house. Free parking for two cars is available on the property.
Can we get there without a car?
Yes, by Yanbaru Express Bus. From Naha Airport, take a bus bound for Unten Port (運天港) or Resort Hotel Bel Paraiso — about 2 hours 50 minutes. Tell the driver you want to get off at Kami-Unten Kominkan (上運天公民館) and they will stop at the crossroads nearest the house. Please check current times on the official Yanbaru Express Bus timetable.
How far is Unten Port?
A 10-minute walk. Ferries to Izena and Iheya islands run twice a day each. The house works well as a base for the night before or after a ferry trip.
House rules
Can we smoke?
Not indoors. Please smoke in the garden. We do not provide ashtrays, so a portable ashtray is appreciated.
Can we bring a pet?
Sorry — pets are not allowed.
Is there anything to be careful about at night?
This is a residential village with neighbours close by. Please keep voices down after 9:00 PM.
Is there anything to know about luggage?
Please place wheeled suitcases on the wooden platform rather than on the tatami, which damages easily.
Nature and wildlife
Are there insects?
This is an old house in a rural village surrounded by nature, so please bear that in mind if insects bother you.
I heard there are geckos?
There are. They sit on the windows hunting the insects that gather at the light, and they chirp. They are harmless, and in Okinawa they are considered guardians of the house. Please let them be.
Booking and rates
What are the rates and the minimum stay?
Rates, minimum stay and availability are all shown on our Airbnb and Booking.com pages.
How do we cancel?
The cancellation policy of the site you booked through applies. Please cancel from your account on that site.
How do we contact you?
For anything about your booking, please use the message function on the booking site. For other enquiries, use the contact form.
Filming and photography
Can the house be used for a shoot?
Yes, it has been used for both film and stills — including the photo book Hitorijime (Kobunsha), work by the Hong Kong photographer Lazy Wong, and the Nakijin Village Tourism Association's "Nakijin Bench". Please enquire through the contact form.
Also worth reading
- Inside a 60-Year-Old Okinawan Folk House
- Getting to Yukumiya from Naha Airport
- Things to Do Around Nakijin
- Ferries to Izena and Iheya from Unten Port
Stay at Yukumiya
Rent the entire 60-year-old traditional Okinawan house in Nakijin, just for you. Your stay helps carry this old house into the future. Book through Airbnb or Booking.com.