In an archipelago of 365 islands, we’ve mastered the art of standing out while blending in.  A dramatic 650m2 modern villa with two master suites melds seamlessly into a 6-acre tropical private island playground with its own beach. A spacious terrace opens to a swimming pool, sun deck, and Jacuzzi, all overlooking the iridescent blue-green sea that characterizes Angra Dos Reis. The villa offers an intimate hideaway for 2-4, but with three additional sea-view bungalows tucked into the island’s grounds, you could expand the guest list. Japan lies 105 miles west of Rio de Janeiro, just over four miles off the verdant shores of Angra dos Reis, Brazil’s “Green Coast, ” but as exotic as it sounds, the travel time parallels the Caribbean or Central American getaways. While most private island retreats involve lengthy boat trips or connections, a flight paired with VIP helicopter transfer delivers you directly to the heart of this municipality of 365 islands. With more than 2,000 beaches and a mountainous coastline covered in dense forests, it’s a vast natural wonderland for exploration.

VIP TRANSFER INCLUDED FOR SEAMLESS ARRIVAL

Take one of the many non-stop flights from the U.S. or Europe into Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport, where you’ll be greeted with a VIP customs experience that whisks you through immigration without standing in line, escorts you to baggage collection, and then leads you about 20 minutes later to the tarmac for the 35-40 minute helicopter ride south to Japao. The enhanced arrival treatment shaves hours from typical private island transfers, so your holiday can start in record time.

ACCOMMODATION

THE VILLA – Stretching from a cloak of towering coconut palms into the sun, Japao’s main villa is a marvel of gleaming Brazilian and Balinese hardwoods from floor to ceiling. Picture windows in every room ensure that nature is on full display. The indoor/outdoor Sonos sound system sets the perfect tone to move from art-filled interiors to the exterior courtyard where a giant boulder flanks the koi pond, forming a natural gallery.  Outdoor living spaces are in abundance here, from a 1,000-square-foot open-air dining lounge with views of the sea and jungle-shrouded mountains to an equally expansive pool deck with a nearby Jacuzzi. It’s cozy enough for just one couple, but with room to invite extra-special guests.

THE MASTER – Watch the morning sun break through the palm trees from the second-floor porch of the 500-square foot master suite, which showcases sea views from two sides. A staircase from the villa’s main living room transports you to this light-filled sanctuary with a king bed and bath, adorned in warm woods and accented in stone.

THE MASTER DUPLEX – Adjacent to the villa, the master duplex is an equally magnificent mix of hardwood and stone—as if the surrounding jungle reimagined itself as contemporary architecture. With a ground-floor living room and upstairs master bedroom/bath, you have nearly 1,300 square feet of added living space.

SEAVIEW BUNGALOWS – Pathways through the island’s palms lead to a pair of 375-square-foot sea-view bungalows that mirror the contemporary design of the villa and duplex, and are perfectly positioned to take in the sunrise. Each houses a king bed and a bathroom that is cleverly concealed in its open floor plan by curved stone walls.

EXPERIENCES

A stunning helicopter transfer along Brazil’s emerald coastline is only the beginning. Splash into the shallow, clear sea from the island’s private beach. Savor your daily (included) massage on the pool deck. Launch a paddleboard or kayak to search for resident dolphins, or zip out to sea in the island’s speedboat for wakeboarding and tubing. At the end of the day, unwind in a Jacuzzi as the sun turns from orange to violet over Ilha Grande Bay.

Snorkeling tours to the area coral reefs, picnics on deserted island beaches, and transport to local waterfront restaurants are included, courtesy of your own private boat captain and the island’s sleek 36-foot speedboat. Don’t miss Ilha Grande, a 75-square mile island of unspoiled beaches and rugged landscape, where you can make the 3.7-mile trek up densely forested Parrot’s Peak or hike along secluded Lopes Mendes Beach, considered one of Brazil’s most beautiful. Engage in the region’s rich culture with a walking tour through the cobblestoned streets of Paraty’s colonial old town, a National Historic Site. The area’s top attractions are all less than an hour by boat from Japao.

Request a daily yoga session or transform your stay into an entire wellness retreat. Learn to surf on the waves of Ilha Grande Bay. Adventure seekers have multiple choices in the nearby rainforest, from whitewater rafting and canyoning to zip-lining through the treetops. Upgrade your helicopter flight upon arrival or return for the full Christos Tour, which circles Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue on the peak of Corcovado mountain and then sweeps over the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. For an additional cost, a variety of customized Angra Dos Reis experiences and excursions are available.

Island dining comes with Brazilian flair, courtesy of Japao’s resident caseiro, who specializes in dishes utilizing locally sourced ingredients. Savor a relaxed lunch on the pool deck, slip away to the beach for a quiet picnic or gather for a traditional barbecue in the open-air lounge. The daily menus are created from your requests and infused with rich regional flavors that complement the setting of jungle and sea.