Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced Alila Sengokuhara Hakone, a luxury retreat rooted in nature, design and wellbeing in one of Japan’s most revered mountain resort destinations. Scheduled to open in 2028 as part of an agreement with Fujita Corporation, the resort will mark the Alila brand’s debut in Japan, bringing the brand’s philosophy of mindful luxury to Sengokuhara, a highland district of Hakone known for its mineral-rich hot springs, open grasslands, forested ridges and enduring sense of calm.

Set within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Sengokuhara has long been regarded as a tranquil escape from urban life. The area is beloved by Japanese and international travelers alike for its seasonal beauty, art museums, volcanic terrain and panoramic views toward Mt. Kintoki. In autumn, its celebrated pampas grass fields sway softly across the landscape, creating one of Hakone’s most iconic natural scenes. It is this balance of stillness and elemental beauty that makes Sengokuhara a natural home for Alila’s first hotel in Japan.

“With 19 properties globally, including 13 in Asia, we are excited to announce plans to introduce the Alila brand to Japan,” said David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “We are grateful to President Okumura of Fujita Corporation and everyone else involved in bringing the Alila vision to this market. The debut of the Alila brand in Japan will expand travel choices for both domestic and international guests, offering experiences that reflect the brand’s deep connection to culture and the environment.”

Architecture in Conversation with the Land

The design of Alila Sengokuhara Hakone will be guided by harmony with nature and a profound respect for the site’s mountain setting. The property will embody minimalist architecture by internationally acclaimed Kengo Kuma and Associates, whose approach is rooted in sensitivity to topography, natural light and material expression.

Rather than imposing itself on the landscape, the resort is envisioned as an architectural journey that moves with the land. Built forms will follow the site’s elevation changes, allowing the surrounding forest and mountains to become part of the guest experience. Layered views and materials will create a sense of subtle continuity between interior and exterior spaces.

“We are designing a hotel that will blend seamlessly into Hakone’s magnificent natural setting,” said Mr. Kuma. “Our architecture will become part of the landscape, flowing with the site’s elevation changes and integrating natural light to achieve a seamless connection with the environment.”

Onsen Culture Through an Alila Lens
At the heart of Alila Sengokuhara Hakone will be a wellbeing experience shaped by one of Japan’s most treasured traditions: the onsen. The hotel will feature 60 guestrooms, including 11 suites, each with a private natural hot spring bath, allowing guests to experience the restorative qualities of Hakone’s thermal waters in a deeply personal setting.

Extending beyond the spa, the resort’s wellness philosophy will unfold through movement, nature and ritual. A yoga deck immersed in the surrounding landscape will offer guests a quiet space to breathe, stretch and reconnect.

Local Ingredients, Seasonal Expression and the Flavors of Hakone
Dining at Alila Sengokuhara Hakone will be shaped by the surrounding land and waters, reflecting the Alila commitment to culinary experiences rooted in their setting. The resort’s restaurant and bar will celebrate locally sourced ingredients through seasonal menus that draw from nearby fields, forests and seas.

The culinary menu is conceived as a natural extension of the resort’s setting: refined yet grounded, expressive yet restrained. Guests will be invited to discover the flavors of the region through fresh produce and ingredients selected for their connection to Hakone and the broader Japanese landscape.

Alila Moments: A Deeper Connection to Hakone
Guided by the Alila commitment to immersive, place-led hospitality, Alila Sengokuhara Hakone will offer curated Alila Moments designed to reveal the destination through culture, nature and discovery. These experiences will encourage guests to engage with Hakone beyond the conventional resort stay, whether through its landscapes, its artistic traditions, its seasonal rituals or its long-held relationship with healing waters.

Across the guest journey, the resort will seek to create a sense of wonder expressed through minimalist architecture, restorative wellbeing and meaningful connection to the local environment and community.

The project will further strengthen the relationship between Hyatt and Fujita Corporation, which has cultivated a longstanding collaborative relationship with Hyatt across notable hospitality projects.

“We are deeply honored to have the opportunity to welcome Hyatt’s luxury brand, Alila, to Sengokuhara in Hakone, marking the Alila brand’s debut in Japan,” said Yoji Okumura, President of Fujita Corporation. “Fujita has cultivated a long-standing partnership with Hyatt, including serving as the owner of Grand Hyatt Seoul and, more recently, as the contractor for Park Hyatt Niseko HANAZONO. In this new project, we will maximize Sengokuhara’s unique value by embracing its rich natural environment and integrating the expertise of top leaders in architecture, interior design and landscaping. We anticipate Alila Sengokuhara Hakone becoming a new benchmark for luxury resorts in Japan and providing a profoundly moving experience for guests from both Japan and around the world.”

Alila hotels, whose name means “surprise” in Sanskrit, are known for creating deeply personal experiences that connect guests to local culture, nature and community. Across its global portfolio, the brand places wellbeing at the center of the guest journey, creating spaces that feel intuitive, restorative and rooted in their surroundings. Alila Sengokuhara Hakone will bring that philosophy to life in Japan through an intimate mountain retreat where architecture, onsen culture, cuisine and landscape come together in a quietly powerful expression of place.

There are currently 22 Hyatt hotels across nine brands in Japan. The introduction of the first Alila hotel in Japan will bring Hyatt’s Japan portfolio to 10 brands, supporting Hyatt’s broader ambition to double its portfolio in the country with intention over the next decade.