Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

A Japanese-Inspired Villa Hits the Market on the British Virgin Islands

A Japanese-Inspired Villa Hits the Market on the British Virgin Islands

Boasting a private beach on Virgin Gorda, Villa Katsura brings Japanese sensibilities to the Caribbean.

The owners of this beachfront oasis enlisted OBMI, a global firm known for its work in high-end hospitality, to help infuse the home with their love for Japan and Japanese art. Villa Katsura-named after Katsura Imperial Villa, a cultural heritage site in Kyoto, Japan-sits on the peninsula of Little Dix Bay on the British Virgin Islands.



Villa Katsura, a one-of-a-kind residence on the British Virgin Islands, enjoys panoramic views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

OBMI wanted to tell the story of the natural setting. They describe the residence as having been woven into the hillside "with the precise elegance of origami." The sloping site gave rise to the villa’s three distinct pavilions.



Manicured stone pathways guide visitors through the property, ultimately leading to the private beach.

Built in 2014, the nearly three-acre property offers a whopping 23,500 square feet of living space with six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and a partial bathroom. The main house is oriented to maximize views of the Caribbean, with a living room, kitchen, library, media room, dining room, bedroom, and private main suite. The beach house includes three bedrooms, each with a view of the shore.



The main living space flows between the living and dining areas with exposed wooden beams that present an elevated look as well as hurricane proofing.



The kitchen blends wood, stone, and marine-grade steel. Natural light and breezes filter in through the sliding doors, while shoji-inspired partitions nod to Japanese design.



The master suite, including an onsen-inspired bathing area, is a personal retreat that seamlessly flows between indoors and outdoors.

The pool, surrounded by gardens and bamboo, boasts a terrace with heated spa rocks, a steam shower room, fire pits, and waterfalls. In total, there are 11 waterfalls across the property as well as a koi pond, an entrance pagoda, and a weeping wall.



The pool terrace overlooks the stunning sea. In addition to the pool area, the property includes a 20-person spa with a steam room and three fire pits.



Tiger wood, European larch, Western cedar, and beams of Douglas fir bring warmth and texture to the terrace.



Villa Katsura’s pool terrace glows at dusk.

The property’s pathways meander through distinctive gardens landscaped by Kurisu International, renowned for creating restorative, Japanese-style gardens. With the natural environment in mind, a water catchment able to hold approximately 300,000 gallons and solar panels were put in place to increase self-sufficiency.



Bamboo groves and water features lend to the serenity of the natural landscape.



Villa Katsura from overhead, with solar panels on the hill.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×