What we can do for a beautiful night sky — Our efforts to prevent light pollution

Have you ever seen the Milky Way shining across the night sky?

Located in the southwestern region of Japan and surrounded by coral reef seas, the Yaeyama Islands offer views of the Milky Way, the Southern Cross, shooting stars, the moon’s glow, and year-round constellations that change with the seasons. These dark, star-filled skies are not only a source of beauty—they also play an essential role in maintaining the delicate ecosystems that support sea turtles, coral reefs, and other marine life.

At Beach Hotel Sunshine Ishigakijima, we are dedicated to preserving this precious night sky. Through thoughtful lighting design, we have reduced unnecessary outdoor illumination and adopted lighting systems that support ecosystem conservation and energy efficiency.
In recent years, concern has grown over light pollution—the brightening of the night sky caused by artificial lighting. In recognition of its exceptional efforts to preserve natural darkness, the Yaeyama Islands were officially designated as Japan’s first International Dark Sky Park in March 2018.
We are honored to contribute to this ongoing initiative. Our hotel remains committed to continuous efforts that reduce light pollution and allow more people to experience the wonder of the stars above and the natural world around them.

※ The Dark Sky Park certification is awarded by the association DarkSky International, headquartered in Arizona, USA, to leading initiatives that demonstrate outstanding efforts to prevent light pollution and preserve the natural night sky.