A new Alila in Japan

Alila Sengokuhara Hakone is planned to open in 2028 as the Alila brand's first property in Japan. The retreat will sit in Sengokuhara within the wider Hakone area of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

The project is being designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates, giving the hotel a strong architectural connection to its landscape. Rather than treating the mountains as scenery alone, the design is intended to make nature part of the arrival and daily rhythm.

The property will have 60 rooms, including 11 suites. Its relatively small scale should help preserve the quiet atmosphere expected from an onsen retreat.

Private hot springs in every room

Every guest room is planned with its own natural hot-spring bath. That gives visitors the privacy of an individual onsen experience without needing to schedule time in a communal bath.

Private bathing also makes the hotel easier for couples and international travellers who may be less familiar with traditional public onsen etiquette. Guests can experience Hakone's hot-spring culture at their own pace.

A yoga deck and wider wellness programming will extend the concept beyond bathing. The emphasis is on calm, routine and the surrounding environment rather than a heavily programmed spa schedule.

Food and local experience

The restaurant and bar will focus on seasonal ingredients and locally influenced dining. In a mountain destination, that kind of sourcing can help connect a luxury stay to the place instead of insulating guests from it.

Alila Moments experiences are also expected to introduce local culture and nature beyond the hotel grounds. The best resort programmes give guests reasons to explore rather than simply filling their timetable on site.

A thoughtful Hakone escape

For LYG readers, Hakone is a natural extension to a Tokyo trip and works particularly well for two or three slower days. Private onsen bathing, architecture and mountain scenery make the proposed hotel an appealing contrast to a busy city itinerary.

The 2028 opening is still ahead, but the combination of Kengo Kuma design and an onsen in every room makes Alila Sengokuhara one of Japan's more interesting future wellness stays. It is a project worth keeping on the travel radar.