Honest Review of Seven Colors Ishigakijima: A Luxurious Ishigaki Resort Stay

Okinawa is already a great destination, but if you want to take that experience a step further, Ishigaki is where things are.

This island sits farther out in the Yaeyama chain, with clearer water, fewer crowds, and a much slower pace than mainland Okinawa. It’s the kind of place you come to when you want space, quiet, and a bit of distance from everything else.

We spent several days in Ishigaki and stayed at a range of accommodations to get a real feel for the island.

For our splurge stay, we chose Seven Colors Ishigakijima, a small, remote resort on the northern side of the island known for its oceanfront rooms and access to multiple private beaches.

In this honest review, we’re breaking down exactly what it’s like to stay here. From the location and rooms to the food, service, and overall value, this is our real experience so you can decide if this kind of luxurious, off-the-grid Ishigaki resort actually fits your trip.

About Seven Colors Ishigakijima

Seven Colors Ishigakijima is a small, luxurious resort designed for travelers who want privacy, ocean views, and a quiet base away from the busier parts of Ishigaki.

This is not a large-scale resort with endless restaurants or activities…the experience centers around the setting: open ocean views, easy access to multiple private beaches, and a calm place where you can slow down.

If you’re looking for a place where you can wake up to the sound of the ocean, spend your day moving between beaches and your room, and end the night watching the stars, this kind of stay makes sense.

If you prefer being close to shops, nightlife, or hopping between restaurants, this probably isn’t the right fit.

We chose Seven Colors Ishigakijima as our splurge stay after trying other accommodations on the island, specifically because it offered something different from the more central resorts. It’s very much a “stay put and enjoy where you are” type of hotel.

Location and Access

Seven Colors Ishigakijima is located on the northern side of Ishigaki Island, far from the airport area and the more developed parts of town. This location is a big part of both its appeal and its limitations.

Getting here requires a rental car. Public transportation on Ishigaki is limited to begin with, and it’s especially sparse in this part of the island.

There are no nearby convenience stores, cafes, or walkable dining options, so once you arrive, you’re largely staying put unless you drive elsewhere.

For us, that was exactly the point. The drive north takes you through quieter stretches of the island, and once you arrive, it genuinely feels removed from everything else. It’s peaceful, scenic, and ideal if you want privacy and uninterrupted ocean views.

That said, this location won’t work for every itinerary. If you’re planning lots of excursions, island hopping, or frequent trips back into town, staying closer to central Ishigaki might make more sense. We cover those alternatives and how to structure your time in our full Ishigaki travel guide.

If you’re pairing your Ishigaki trip with nearby islands like Taketomi, we recommend planning those day trips separately rather than from this resort.

Our Honest Experience Staying at Seven Colors Ishigakijima

Facilities and Service

Seven Colors Ishigakijima is designed to feel quiet and uncomplicated, and that shows from the moment you arrive.

Parking is outdoors and right next to the building. The main lobby also serves as the dining area and has a relaxed, lived-in feel with books, magazines, board games, and coloring supplies for kids.

There’s also a small laundry room and a vending machine for drinks and snacks. Nothing flashy, but everything you might need for a remote stay.

At check-in, we were welcomed with mango juice and a clear walkthrough of the property. The staff explained nearby beaches, ocean safety, dining times, and stargazing options, then escorted us to our room. The service felt personal and thoughtful without being overly formal.

One small highlight is the rooftop, which is perfect for stargazing at night thanks to minimal light pollution. And Ishigaki is famous for the clear night skies.

Overall, the facilities here support a slower pace. This isn’t a resort packed with super fancy amenities or activities, but if you’re looking for privacy, attentive service, and a calm place, it does exactly what it’s meant to do.

Our Room

We stayed in the Standard Twin Room, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront, and the ocean steals the show the second you walk in.

The room is on the second floor and is a comfortable 38 square meters, but it feels bigger because everything faces the water.

The most memorable feature is the heart-shaped, ocean-facing jet tub. It’s a little over-the-top but soaking there while staring straight out at the ocean was easily one of our favorite moments of the stay.

The layout is practical and very Japanese in a good way. There’s a dedicated closet area so your bags don’t take over the room, and the bathroom setup is clean and well designed. The shower and tub are separate, and the toilet has its own room, which always makes things feel more comfortable, especially for longer stays.

We spent a lot of time on the balcony, mostly in the early morning and around sunset. It’s simple, but sitting out there with a drink and nothing on the agenda fit the vibe of Ishigaki perfectly.

The mini fridge was stocked with local Orion beer and water, and the coffee pods made mornings easy without having to think too hard.

Food: In-house Breakfast and Dinner

We’d recommend booking the dinner and breakfast package, mostly because there aren’t many food options nearby. Once you’re here, you’re pretty committed, so having meals taken care of makes the stay feel much easier.

All meals are served in the main lobby, which doubles as the dining space. On clear days, you can sit outside, and the sunset views from here are genuinely beautiful. This ended up being one of our favorite places to be in the evenings, even when the food itself wasn’t the main highlight.

Dinner is an eight-course washoku-style meal made up of small Japanese dishes. It was thoughtfully presented and enjoyable, but if we’re being honest, the food didn’t quite reach the same level as the setting or the room. Nothing was bad, it just didn’t stand out in the way we expected for a stay at this price point.

Breakfast leans more western, with dishes like eggs benedict, Ishigaki pork sausage, fruit, salad, and soup. It’s a solid, filling start to the day, especially when paired with ocean views, but again, the real star here is where you’re eating, not necessarily what’s on the plate.

That said, there’s something nice about slow dinners, long breakfasts, and not needing to drive anywhere afterward. For a remote stay like this, the convenience and atmosphere mattered more to us than having a truly memorable meal.

Stars for the view!

Private Beach Access

The private beach access is easily the biggest highlight of staying at Seven Colors Ishigakijima.

The resort has not 1, but access to 3 separate private beaches, all within about a three to five minute walk from the rooms. They’re spread out enough that each one feels distinct, but close enough that it never feels like an effort to get there.

What surprised us most was how empty they were. We spent an entire afternoon moving between the beaches and didn’t see another person. The farthest beach, which is also the largest, felt especially secluded.

This is the kind of beach experience that’s hard to find in Japan, especially without needing to book a boat or join a tour. You can just grab a towel, walk down, and settle in without crowds, noise, or vendors.

That said, these are natural beaches, not manicured resort beaches. There are no lifeguards, and you do need to be mindful of ocean conditions and local wildlife. But if you’re comfortable with that, the privacy and sense of isolation are hard to beat.

If quiet beach time is high on your Ishigaki wish list, this alone makes Seven Colors Ishigakijima stand out.

Price

At the time of our stay, prices ranged from about $400 to $600 per night, depending on the season and whether dinner and breakfast were included.

It’s definitely a splurge, and there’s no way around that. You’re paying for the location, the privacy, and the access to multiple quiet beaches, not for a long list of resort amenities or dining options.

If you opt out of the meal package, the nightly rate drops a bit, but the stay still sits firmly in the higher-end range for Ishigaki. For us, the value came from: waking up to the ocean, having beaches almost entirely to ourselves, and not needing to share the space with others.

If you’re someone who plans to be out all day exploring, island hopping, or eating around town, this price might feel harder to justify.

This stay makes the most sense when the hotel is a big part of the trip or, in our case, the designated splurge stay, not just a place to sleep.

Who This Resort Is For

Seven Colors Ishigakijima is a great fit if you’re looking for:

• A quiet, luxurious stay in a remote part of Ishigaki
• A couples trip, honeymoon, or anniversary stay
• Easy access to multiple private beaches without crowds
• A slower-paced trip focused on rest, ocean views, and sunsets

This is the kind of place where you come back to the room early, soak in the tub, sit on the balcony, and call it a full day.

It’s not the best choice if you want nightlife, lots of restaurant options, or a packed sightseeing schedule. If that sounds more like your travel style, staying closer to central Ishigaki or a larger resort may make more sense.

Tips for a Better Stay at Seven Colors Ishigakijima

Eat before you arrive: Lunch options near the resort are extremely limited, and the hotel only serves meals during set dinner and breakfast times. We recommend grabbing lunch in downtown Ishigaki or somewhere along the drive north before checking in.

Rent a car: This one isn’t optional. Public transportation is very limited in this part of the island, and having a rental car gives you the flexibility to explore other beaches, grab food in town, or time day trips more comfortably.

Plan beach time around the weather: The private beaches are a huge highlight, but ocean conditions can change quickly. Check the weather and tide, and always be mindful of strong currents and local marine life.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes: The beaches here are natural and undeveloped. Water shoes make walking on rocky areas easier, and reef-safe sunscreen is a must if you’re spending long hours in the water.

Arrive on time for dinner: If you want the best sunset views from the dining area, aim to arrive right on time or a few minutes early. The views really are worth it.

Don’t skip the rooftop at night: After dinner, head up to the rooftop for stargazing. With minimal light pollution, it’s one of the simplest but most memorable parts of the stay.

Other Places to Stay in Ishigaki

Seven Colors Ishigakijima is great for a very specific type of trip, but it’s not the only way to experience the island.

Here’s our full guide on where to stay in Ishigaki if you want something that better fits your pace, budget, or travel style. Below are a few solid alternatives we personally recommend.

📍Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas ($$–$$$): A relaxing, full-service resort with direct access to Fusaki Beach. This is a great option if you want a classic resort experience with marine activities, pools, and easy access without feeling too remote. Ideal for travelers who want comfort and amenities while still enjoying beach time.

📍730 Hotels ($$$): A modern, design-forward stay focused on relaxation. Rooms are stylish and minimal, with the added bonus of private saunas. This is a good middle ground if you want something elevated but not fully isolated from town.

📍Vessel Hotel Ishigakijima ($): A practical, budget-friendly option near the port and bus terminals. Rooms are simple and clean, making it a solid base for travelers who plan to be out exploring most of the day and want easy access to transportation.

Conclusion

Seven Colors Ishigakijima is the kind of place you choose intentionally.

It’s quiet, remote, and focused on privacy and experience rather than packed schedules or endless amenities. For us, it worked best as a splurge stay, a place to slow down, enjoy the ocean, and let the resort itself be part of the experience, not just somewhere to sleep.

The rooms are comfortable and thoughtfully designed, the private beach access is special, and the overall atmosphere encourages you to do less, not more. At the same time, the location and price mean it won’t be the right fit for every trip or every traveler.

If your Ishigaki plan includes lots of exploring, island hopping, or dining around town, you may be happier staying closer to central Ishigaki. But if you’re craving quiet mornings, empty beaches, and a stay that feels removed from everything else, Seven Colors Ishigakijima delivers exactly that.