Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine Becomes the Second Japanese-Owned Hotel and the First in Okinawa to Achieve GSTC Certification

January 26, 2026

Press Release

On October 8, 2025, Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine (Sunshine Co., Ltd., Head Office: Arakawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa) proudly announced that it had earned GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) Certification, a globally recognized standard for sustainable tourism.
This achievement marks only the second GSTC certification granted to a Japanese-owned hotel nationwide, and notably, the first in Okinawa Prefecture.

Opened in August 1979, Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine is an oceanfront resort located along the west coast of Ishigaki Island. Set amid a rich natural environment of sea, coral reefs, and subtropical landscapes, the hotel has been committed to environmental conservation for many years. In 2008, it began implementing light pollution reduction measures to help protect the night sky and local nocturnal wildlife. The hotel offers a range of guest programs, including stargazing tours that introduce local traditions and culture, as well as guided tours of the on-site gardens. Through these experiences, Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine shares the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Yaeyama region while maintaining environmentally responsible and sustainable operations.
In 2024, the hotel introduced its own Interpretation Plan (*1). This initiative is supported by internal training and environmental education programs designed to help staff effectively communicate the region’s unique values and stories to guests. 

Guided by its corporate philosophy—
“To share the charm of the Yaeyama Islands through accommodation, dining, activities, and meaningful communication between guests and staff, and to pass on a rich natural environment to future generations”—
the hotel places strong importance on close ties with the local community and exemplifies a sustainable tourism model rooted in regional collaboration. 

The confirmation, through GSTC certification, that these long-standing efforts meet international standards is highly significant—not only for Ishigaki Island, but also for Okinawa Prefecture and Japan as a whole—in advancing sustainable tourism.
We look forward to Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine continuing to inspire and lead sustainable tourism initiatives from Ishigaki Island in the years ahead. 

(1*) Interpretation  
An educational and communication approach that conveys the meaning and value of nature, culture, and history through experience and dialogue, fostering awareness and emotional connection among local communities and visitors.