Kouri Island, in Japan’s subtropical southern prefecture of Okinawa, has welcomed the opening of two new luxury properties: Away Okinawa Kouri Island Resort and LOISIR Terrace & Villas KOURI.

The island, known by Okinawan’s as “Love Island” thanks to its two distinctive heart-shaped rocks on Tinu Beach and a historic local legend similar to the tale of Adam and Eve, is perfect for those looking for a remote and secluded getaway.

Located two hours north of Okinawa’s capital Naha, the small island is surrounded by dreamy emerald-green seas and is home to picturesque beaches, idyllic rural fields of sugarcane and sweet potato and is well known for snorkelling and swimming in the summer. Accessible via a two-kilometre bridge from neighbouring Yagaji Island, the peaceful escape can be explored on foot or by car – with a full lap of the island taking only 10 minutes to complete by road.

Away Okinawa Kouri Island Resort

Enjoying a hillside location overlooking an idyllic white sand beach, luxury 5-star Away Okinawa Kouri Island Resort which opened this month boasts 38 spacious boutique-style suites. Designed with the concept of encouraging visitors to truly ‘get away’ and enjoy a slower pace of life in the resort’s natural surroundings, guests can choose from three room types all equipped with kitchenettes, eco-friendly bathtubs and balconies offering stunning seafront vistas: the Ocean View Suites which offer stunning vistas, Star View Suites which feature an in-room telescope, and the deluxe Villa Suite located in a separate building with private parking and a small garden for extra privacy and tropical seclusion.

The resort also boasts an outdoor pool, perfect to relax away a day whilst taking in the beautiful postcard scenery below. Additionally, the resort’s Rest La Sacro restaurant serves delicious Italian dishes made with locally grown ingredients, great for refuelling after exploring the island.

LOISIR Terrace & Villas KOURI

Another hillside property boasting stunning views of the surrounding coastline is the new luxury resort LOISIR Terrace and Villas KOURI. Opened in June, the property offers 44 rooms with four different room types to choose from: the Villa Suites overlooking Kouri Beach and featuring both a private infinity pool and jacuzzi; Villa Suites Universal which provide charming and comfortable accommodation, the Terrace Maisonnettes which are ideal for families and larger groups with two separate rooms and a kitchen, and the Terrace Suites which offer spacious living and dining areas as well as a kitchen.

Guests who love to relax by the pool are also in for a treat as the stylish property is home to a 142m long infinity pool as well as a poolside café. Other facilities and services available to guests include tuk-tuk transfers to Kouri Beach, ocean view dining options, a gym and a kids’ playroom, making it perfect for both a couple’s romantic getaway or a beach break with the whole family.