펜션 블루 드롭(Pension Blue Drop)

Yuki and Toru’s hospitality was exceptional. Their accommodation all crafted from local wood, is immaculately clean. Our room was very comfortable. There was a lovely dining room which we sat and worked in before dinner. We stayed in early April and it was pleasantly cool so we didn’t have to use the air conditioning. We were fortunate enough to sample a selection of three different offerings for dinner each evening. This is where the essence of Yuki’s and Toru’s hospitality and generosity was evident. The meals were of exceptional quality, prepared with care, be it the cooked elements by Yuki or the fish caught by Tori. Don’t miss out - treat yourselves and take your evening meals there. During our evening chats with Yuki we learnt more about their commitment to nature, organic farming and love for Yakushima. After making our booking, Yuki guided us seamlessly through the somewhat complicated processes of getting to and from the island by booking our ferry crossings and by reserving our car rental. The accommodation is strategically well positioned for the start of the hike to Jomon Sugi (early start essential) and others, several scenic waterfalls, the Hirauchi Kaichi and Yudomari Onsens on the sea (less than 5 minutes away), as well as the splendidly scenic and interesting UNESCO World Heritage Listed Coastal Road where you can see monkeys and deer in abundance in their natural habitat - the beautiful reality of the landscape of Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke.” At Pension Blue Drop we felt like we were staying with close Japanese friends who went out of their way to make us feel at home.

We stayed here for 2 nights while exploring Yakushima island. I don't know where to begin.. this place is just amazing and one of the best places we have stayed at in all our years of travelling. Yuki was already an angel for helping us book the boat to the island and making sure all was taken care of before our arrival. Even after we arrived both of them were incredibly friendly and helped a lot in our planning around the island. They make very good food with local ingredients. I hope to come back some day as we only got a little taste of what Yakushima has to offer. We need to come back and when we do we need to stay here again. :D A personal heartfelt thank you to Yuki from the Komeda coffee couple. ;)

I had planned to come to Yakushima in early 2020, and cancelled it due to Covid. In the three years that followed, I attempted again in the fall of 2021, but Covid prolonged. So when I finally arrived, Yuki and I were like old friends finally meeting each other after the long Covid seperation. This is how friendly and warm Yuki’s pension received me and my numerous emails in the past. Now onto the practical aspects: my twin room was clean, quietly welcomed me with clean towels, hot water kettle, a desk and chair, and a screen door to enjoy fresh, flower scented air. Hot water was plenty and strong, and the whole place was hushed between check in and check out and after dinner into the night. Yuki was a discreet host, always there when you need her, but never in your face when you want to be left alone. Location cannot be better for local immersion and here’s why. Yakushima island has different characters from the north, south, east, and west. Blue Drop is located on the sunny southern part of the island, also my favorite part after seeing the entire island on a tour with Yakushima Geographic Tour (please check out my review). The area is slow living residential dotted with homey cafes and artist studios. It feels as Yakushima should be, idyllic, lush, green, and air unbelievably fresh. Twice a day @ 6AM and 6PM you can hear short and sweet community announcement, mostly about the weather, positive local news, and at 3 o’clock, a familiar melody came on to remind the farmers of their mid-afternoon snack and tea time. I slept soundly of the three nights I stayed here. The bed looks thin but turns out very comfortable. Yuki is a great chef and this is such a plus as there are few restaurants near by. I enjoyed breakfasts and dinners in her dining room and always walk away happy and content. After a long touring day, there’s nothing better and more luxurious than a homemade dinner: Kaiseki, Sashimi, Chicken or Beef Stew, with local Shoju if you want it. Breakfast is a yummy sandwich with 4 or 5 different ingredient of your choice, and wonderfully strong coffee. She also prepare lunch to go at your request. A short drive from Blue Drop is the gorgeous Ohko Waterfall, ten times better than the photos I found online, a must see in person. And shortly after that is the World Heritage Coastal Road where not a human soul can be seen except in narrowly passing vehicles. There are abundant of small deers that are incredible rock climbers, and relaxed monkeys being groomed by seniority by the side of the road. This coastal road is very challenging for non-local drivers and it has no cell signal to call for help should you run into a problem, many sections are winding and narrow for one car to pass. You have to be very skillful at backing up when another car comes your way, or count on your luck on a skillful local who will patiently back up and guide you pass. On the north/east side of the island where Miyanoura, Ando port, and the airport are located are the