The owner, Max, is a great guy. The room & facilities feel like the pictures you see on Booking. I was in the dormitory, and there was also one private Japanese-style room and one private Western-style room. It's well-situated in the city, and while everything is a bit spread out on Miyakojima, you will be very close to car rental services, bike rental services, and the bus stops. I rented a really good bicycle with 6-speeds from Max, at the time for only 500円. As I went around to watch sunsets, try a diving experience, or do the jungle night tour, I knew I'd always come back to a common room filled with drinks and good times. Max also has an extra room with musical instruments, so we also had a few piano nights when someone who knew how to play happened to be there. My last night happened to be the day Max decided to do a pizza barbecue on his rooftop terrace. I brought a few drinks, other people also chipped in, and I got the best send-off I could hope for. Happy the Cat also shows up from time to time. He even slept with me once. This is why I prefer guesthouses. If I had a lot of money, maybe I'd choose private rooms instead of the dormitory, but I would always choose a guesthouse over a normal hotel. And if I come back to Miyakojima, I'm checking if Happy Island has some room left first 👍👍👍 Thanks, Max! It was too short, let's do it again some time 👋 (Booking asked me an extra question about Painagama Beach. You can walk there pretty easily from Happy Island. It's a "city beach", with the little space where you are allowed to swim, and a few trees separating it from the road. Perfect to go watch a quick sunset or swim a little when you are in the city in late afternoon, but you will want to go see the other beaches that are around the island, like Sunayama)

Stayed in August 2025

Nothing

Max was really nice and really helpfull. There is a full equiped kitchen available and the room was confortable. Wifi ok and the place is closed to really amazing beaches by car.

Stayed in August 2025

There are only a few choices of restaurants within walking distance.

Happy Island is a stand-alone hostel near the fringe of the town centre. The owner Max is very knowledgeable about the activities available. It is very relaxing staying in this hostel.

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing

I really enjoyed my stay at Happy Miyako Island ❤️❤️ Max is the nicest guy. There are supermarkets close by and if you rent a car you can visit some of the most amazing beaches ever 😎☀️☀️🌴 I also met the coolest travelers here. It's a very social hostel. I loved it!

Stayed in July 2025

Everything was fine.

The host is great, friendly and helpful. He took me spear fishing. The property itself is comfortable and cool looking with laid back vibes.

Stayed in July 2025

I had an awesome stay at Happy island miyako! Max was a great host and Happy (the cat) was great company. The location is well situated to walk to the parts of the island to have drinks and meals.

Stayed in June 2025

nothing

happy super host🐱 and owner

Stayed in July 2025

Is like to be in a family, Max is so nice and the accomodation is simply perfect. The position is also good. This island is a heaven and this accomodation was one of my best stay in all Japan. Everything just perfect. Thank you Max, thank you happy island, I left my heart there. ❤️

Stayed in June 2025

Nothing!

I miss happy island! Max is the coolest dude (ikemen!) and made me feel really at home despite some language barrier. The house is gorgeous and so beautifully decorated, it’s a lovely lovely hostel with guesthouse vibe. I especially loved the colourful bathroom! Kitchen is very welcoming to cook in, and there is lots of snorkel equipment to rent. Had a beautiful time :)

Stayed in April 2025

We stayed 4 nights at the twin room,(I felt more specious than the web photo), The location was great central area, near local bus stops, lots restaurants, and buying food at the shopping store.You can cook with provided seasoning,too. Best thing is that we are so delighted with accepting the optional snorkeling activity request as the original other company's snorkel was canceled due to the weather. We had a great synorkeling at the Sigira by the licenced owner Max lead us in safe and we are given our videos as well ! In addition we had special night event as the gust who plays Okinawa traditional guitar callled Sansen so Max joined to play it and all guest were enjoyed to the sing, dance and playing the drums together. He was super helpful for our questions about recomended restaurant, what to do and advice for the next trip so on. Max is very frindly host. He always stand by for your new exporing. Although it has just changed to wet and cold week we have back to the home satisfactionaly and now I realised its called HAPPY island. Haha,, Thank you so much your hosting Max, the sweet staff and black cat. I wish I would like to relax at the hanmock next time.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

Thank you Max and Happy! If I come to Miyakojima again, I would definitely stay here. Very welcoming host and overall good vibe:) Until next time!!

Stayed in October 2024

Best Hostel of my life. Amazing Host

Stayed in August 2024

Very helpful host. Comfortable room. Ample outdoor space to dry stuff after dive

Stayed in September 2024

Having to leave!

Staying at Happy Island Miyako was a beautiful and awesome experience. Max, the host, is a super cool guy that works hard so that everyone has a great time. Also one night I came back late and he texted me to check if everything was ok, a nice gesture. I stayed 3 nights and got to share dinner with him and other guests on 2 of those nights. And one was a Takoyaki grill party! We all participated in doing them, it was a lot of fun. I've got to say that I've been to many guest houses along my Japan trip and this was the best one by far. Max also organices different sea-related tours and has snorkeling equipment for rental. All in all a wonderful experience and I recommend staying there if you've got the chance. The terrace is also very nice! Location is great, quiet but just a few minutes by foot to different restaurants and convenience stores.  Thank you Max once again for the happy memories, will definitely stay here whenever I come back.

Stayed in October 2024

This guesthouse is absolutely incredible! Its beautifully decorated, bright, colourful and beachy with comfy beds, clean facilities and a well equipped kitchen. Our room was spacious and comfy and we just absolutely loved it here! the terrace area is a truly lovely addition! Max (and Happy) are utterly wonderful, kind hosts and we feel very grateful to have met them. Max creates a lovely social atmosphere where you can easily meet new friends - we loved it here I recommend it so highly!

Stayed in September 2024

Thanks to Max and all the people there (and Happy 🐈‍⬛) for the great time, the amazing food and for taking pictures of us and the turtles 🐢😝 Definitely one pf the best places to be in japan for people traveling with friends or alone.

Stayed in August 2024

This place is special. Special people, a special atmosphere, and special memories that I will keep with me forever. When you stay at happy island you feel like you are with your family, everybody is so eager to help and share with you, and there is a sense of community and friendship in every corner of the hostel. The owner, Max (and his incredible cat companion) is extremely helpful and knowledgeable when it comes to exploring the island, and the staff are so keen to support and assist you on your vacation. If you come to this hostel with an open and adventurous mindset, you will meet wonderful people, and do wonderful things! There is no limit to how much fun you can have at this place!

Stayed in August 2024

The light in the room and on the bed. It could be brighter

Nice staff and a very warm-hearted owner who is eager to help the guests. Open-air rooftop where you can feel the cool breeze. Offer everything with kitchen and bathroom stuff. Just bring your towel and a happy attitude. I took the buses from the beach to the other beach. I didn't bring an International driver's license, so no car for me. I could rent an electric bike, but I would rather sit on the air-conditioning buses. All the beaches in Miyako Jima are good, so taking buses close to any beach was not a problem. And this hostel is very close to the bus stop which goes to the airport also. Google map bus schedule is up to date, so you can trust that and just give and take 5-7min. I will miss this place for sure. I attached the food photo which the owner cooked for the guest that he caught on that day and the beach is 25 min walk from the hostel.

Stayed in August 2024

Such a nice hostel, with great vibes and lovely owner, stuff and guests! Definitely recommend if you want to have a good time and make some new friends!

Stayed in July 2024

Honestly, nothing. They got everything you need.

The owner and helpers are super friendly and welcoming.

Stayed in July 2024

I want to go back, such a nice vibe, pretty, clean, ac, good kitchen and so much nice people

Stayed in May 2024

The atmosphere of this place is amazing! Highly recommended to anyone.

Stayed in May 2024

The owner is a legend

Stayed in March 2024

One minor point are the beds. All beds are Japanese style, so that they are quite hard compared to European beds.

The host and team were very kind. It's a relatively small house in which the guests live together with the host and the staff. It's a family atmosphere between the host, the staff and the guests. We cooked together, made some trips and just went for dinner/drinking. Since I speak only a bit of Japanese there was some language barrier, since the host speaks only japanese. However, some of the guests could speak a bit of English and for the translation apps could be used. Nevertheless I never felt excluded.

Stayed in September 2023