Sustainability

sustainability

Contents

Living in Harmony with Yakushima

Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima, connected deeply with the culture, people and nature of Yakushima. We hope that this land continues to be imbued with happiness, now and for all days to come.

The “For Yakushima” Declaration is a statement of our commitment to living in harmony with the rich nature of Yakushima, which is home to a natural World Heritage site.
We place great importance on our responsibility to care for the island’s natural environment, and have established the Sankara Fund as part of these efforts.
Moving forward, all of us at Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima will continue to engage in wide-ranging activities to protect and foster the nature and communities that call Yakushima home.
Thank you for your support in these nature conservation efforts.

Commitment

for the Yakushima

  1. We will work with local communities to engage in ecological activities and events befitting of Yakushima’s status as an island with a Natural World Heritage site, and will work to raise awareness about environmental issues in Japan and around the world.
  2. We will actively participate in volunteering activities held in Yakushima Town and the surrounding region.
  3. We will operate our hotel in a sustainable manner, making it as everlasting as a yakusugi cedar.
  4. We established the Sankara Fund and will use it for the development of Yakushima and nature conservation on the island.
  5. We will promote local production for local consumption, and source ingredients for our restaurants from Yakushima, Kagoshima, and other areas of Kyushu
  6. All on-site staff are residents of Yakushima Town and contribute to the community through municipal taxes.

sankara fund

The Sankara Fund

We established the Sankara Fund as part of our efforts to support environmental conservation on Yakushima, which is home to a Natural World Heritage site.
Every visitor we welcome contributes 500 yen per stay to the fund, which is used to support Yakushima, including emergency relief in times of disaster and other purposes.

Environmental Initiatives

Co-existence with Nature

To help preserve Yakushima’s rich nature, we prioritize sustainable choices such as reducing single-use items. We strive to deliver an experience combining comfort with environmentally-friendly lifestyles to every one of our guests.

  • Out of respect for the natural environment on Yakushima, amenities such as toothbrushes and hairbrushes are plastic-free and made from natural materials.
  • Portable ashtrays and biodegradable trash bags are available, and we kindly ask that you bring your trash back with you after exploring the island.

Team Zero Waste Sankara

Our team established Team Zero Waste Sankara as a new pillar of our continued efforts to be a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly hotel.
Striving to protect the beautiful nature found in and around Yakushima’s mountains, sea and villages, Team Zero Waste Sankara’s action plans include:

  • 50% reduction in use of single-use plastics, which are a major source of maritime pollution
  • Ending the sale and provision of single-use plastic drink bottles within the hotel
  • Periodic clean-up events of Yakushima’s mountains, seas and villages

Introduction of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

We have introduced electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid vehicles (HV) for our shuttle and sightseeing services. These quiet, clean vehicles help to protect Yakushima’s rich natural environment and provide a comfortable experience for guests during their stay.

  • All of our rental cars are now hybrid vehicles

Forest Maintenance in Mugio-no-Mori Using the Neo-Natural Conservation Method

The Mugio-no-Mori forest behind Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima has long been a part of the island’s landscape and the lives of its residents and once marked the starting point of a pilgrimage route leading to the sacred Okudake Mountains. In recent years, the presence of rare plant species has been confirmed in the area, highlighting its importance as a site of biodiversity and a natural environment to be preserved for future generations. Based on the neo-natural conservation method, which draws on ancient techniques, maintenance work on the forest trails is minimized to preserve the natural ecosystems.

Produce-related Initiatives

Use of Local Ingredients

At Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima, our most valued concept is the use of local seasonal ingredients. We place great importance on our relationships with local farmers and fishers. Our chefs are passionate about which ingredients we use and also travel to learn more about each ingredient’s unique qualities firsthand as they search for the finest products and seek out culinary inspiration. We also supply our compostable waste to local poultry farmers for productive use as fertilizer.

Cultivation of Ingredients on Hotel Grounds

Turmeric and other herbs are cultivated on the hotel grounds, together with log-grown shiitake mushrooms. Grown with care in harmony with Yakushima’s natural environment, these ingredients are used in dishes served at our restaurants.

Community Contribution Initiatives

Donations Through the Sankara Fund

When we opened our doors in 2010, we established the Sankara Fund as part of our efforts to protect the abundant nature of Yakushima. Every visitor we welcome contributes 500 yen per stay to this fund. Some examples of projects we have donated to through the Sankara Fund are listed below.

  • Sea Turtle Fund
  • Jisugi Cedar Project
  • Sacred Garlic Pear Tree Propagation Project

Donation to an elementary school irrigation project

Through the Sankara Fund, we made a donation to support an irrigation project at Kamiyama Elementary School.This initiative enabled a stable water supply to the school’s observation pond and vegetable garden, helping create an enriched learning environment focused on Yakushima’s native species and traditional crops.Our hotel staff also participated in the school’s learning presentation and the irrigation ceremony, strengthening our connection with the local community.

Employment and Development of a Diverse Team

Our team is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds, employed without discrimination based on characteristics such as nationality and gender. We build lasting relationships by creating a welcoming environment for all. We also actively accept internships, help our team to acquire new skills through initiatives to support the acquisition of professional qualifications, and hold in-house seminars such as lessons on wild plants led by our chefs, training courses on Yakushima by our specialized guides and sommelier classes.