This Tree House Resort in Japan Has 360-degree Jungle Views — and a Slide From a Sauna Into the Genka River

The resort, Treeful, even has a slide from the sauna into the Genka River.

When Satoru Kikugawa was a boy, he read a book called “I Want a Big Tree,” where the protagonist searched for a huge tree to build a tree house. The childhood tale had such a profound effect on him that a few years back, he found himself scouring northern Okinawa for the biggest tree, eventually landing on a massive Akagi among the virgin forests. As soon as he saw it, he hugged it and realized, “This is it!”

After starting construction in 2014, that exact tree has become the host of the Spiral Tree House, one of two accommodations currently available for stays at his Treeful Tree House sustainable resort in Nago, Okinawa, which opened in 2021.

With a winding staircase leading up to the Spiral Tree House, nature and comfortable living are perfectly merged in the forest with 360-degree views of the Japanese island’s jungle, complete with a relaxing deck space with string lights and decorative pillows. The tree house also has two hammocks, two yoga mats, a mini fridge and freezer, a compost toilet, air conditioning, and a semi-double bed.

Sitting in a nearby tree is the other tree house, the AeroHouse, which is a sustainable luxury rental, designed by architect Tadashi Murai and decorated by interior designer Yasuhiro Koichi. The spacious setting with large open windows has an equipped kitchen with a microwave, oven, fridge, and freezer, as well as a wine cellar, day bed, king bed, shower, toilet, and even a washing machine.

Currently under construction is a third tree house, dubbed the Trophy Tree House, which will have a Japanese tea room theme and be equipped with two futons, a flushable toilet, and a rooftop viewing area.

Perhaps the highlight of the property is the Indigo Sauna Tree House, available for groups of up to six people for three hours. After warming up in the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, hop right onto the slide to cool off in the Genka River below. Repeat the cycle as many times as you’d like, and also find Zen in the relaxation and spa rooms. Every wooden piece supporting this tree house is painted with Okinawan indigo dye. The slit-style structure, using thin rods with gaps, allows natural sunlight to fill the entire tree house during the day.

Recent guests also rave about the on-site food, including the option to indulge in the fireside dinner on an open grill with menu items like Agu pork shabu-shabu and Okinawa soba noodle; Agu pork and Okinawa Motobu beef mixed sukiyaki; or seafood BBQ and Okinawan Jushi steamed rice.

Most importantly, sustainability is the core pillar of the resort: the tree house itself is carbon-negative without any use of fossil fuels, depending only on renewable energy from Okinawa Electric Power’s Uchina CO2 Free Menu. All of the structures are also built higher to depend on natural sunlight and allow the nature below them to thrive.

“We consider that we are renting the space on the tree,” the resort explained on its site, noting that water, waste, and building materials are also approached with the environment top of mind.

Above all, Treeful Tree House is about allowing guests to connect with its stunning natural scenery. “At Treeful, you can find many ways to relax in nature and forget about the fast-paced daily lives we live in,” the resort said.

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