Japan’s Next Chapter in Luxury Travel: Eight Landmark Hotel Openings by 2026

A New Era of Design-Led Travel in Japan

Japan is set to redefine its hospitality landscape with the opening of eight landmark properties by the end of 2026. From historic reinventions and sustainable architecture to skyline-defining city hotels and serene onsen retreats, these new openings reflect Japan’s ability to blend tradition, innovation and place-based storytelling. For travellers planning future journeys, these properties offer compelling new reasons to explore both iconic cities and lesser-known destinations.

1) RISONARE Shimonoseki: Design Meets Sustainability

Opening in December 2025 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, RISONARE Shimonoseki introduces the concept of a “Strait Designer’s Hotel.” Overlooking the Kanmon Strait, the hotel incorporates local motifs such as fugu and maritime culture into its architecture and guest experiences. As Japan’s first hotel to achieve ZEB Ready Certification and the highest CASBEE S Rank, the property sets a new benchmark for environmentally responsible luxury while celebrating regional identity.

2) OMO5 Yokohama Bashamichi: A 360-Degree Urban Voyage

OMO5 Yokohama Bashamichi

Launching in January 2026, OMO5 Yokohama Bashamichi rises 154 metres above the city and is directly connected to Bashamichi Station. Inspired by the romance of maritime travel, the hotel’s “360° Sky Voyage” concept ensures every room captures shifting views of Yokohama Bay and the city skyline. This vertical city hotel is designed for travellers who want to stay immersed in Yokohama’s energy from sunrise to nightfall.

3) OMO7 Yokohama: History Reimagined

Scheduled to open in April 2026, OMO7 Yokohama forms part of the BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai redevelopment on the former City Hall site. The original building, designed by architect Togo Murano, will be carefully adapted into a retro-modern city tourism hotel. Located opposite JR Kannai Station, the property blends Yokohama’s architectural heritage with contemporary comfort, offering guests a deeper connection to the city’s past and present.

4) HOSHINOYA Nara Prison: Luxury with Meaning

HOSHINOYA Nara Prison

One of Japan’s most anticipated openings, HOSHINOYA Nara Prison will debut in 2026 alongside the Nara Prison Museum. This Important Cultural Property from the Meiji era is the only remaining structure of its kind. The hotel becomes Japan’s first luxury property created from a former prison, while the museum explores architectural history and evolving ideas of freedom and rehabilitation. Together, they offer a powerful and thought-provoking stay experience.

5) KAI Kusatsu: Onsen Culture Reconnected

Opening in June 2026 in Gunma Prefecture, KAI Kusatsu introduces a new style of onsen ryokan stay. A private tunnel links the peaceful retreat to the lively hot spring town, encouraging longer visits and deeper exploration. Guests can soak in two types of acidic hot springs, including Banzaikō, and choose between refined kaiseki dining or the specialised soba restaurant, creating a stay shaped by choice and immersion.

6) KAI Miyajima: Sacred Landscapes and Sea Views

KAI Miyajima

Set to open in summer 2026, KAI Miyajima marks Hoshino Resorts’ first property on the island famed for the Itsukushima Shrine. Located close to this iconic World Heritage site, the hotel features signature “Sea Fog Rooms” with ocean views and draws on traditional Setouchi sauna culture. The experience is designed to connect guests with Miyajima’s spiritual atmosphere and coastal heritage.

7) KAI Zao: Panoramic Mountain Serenity

Arriving in autumn 2026, KAI Zao will be Hoshino Resorts’ first property in Yamagata Prefecture, a region named by National Geographic as one of the best places to visit in 2026. The hotel’s rooftop terrace offers 360-degree views inspired by the Zao Okama crater lake, combining dramatic alpine scenery with restorative hot spring culture.

8) BEB5 Mojiko: Playful Stays by the Strait

BEB5 Mojiko

Opening in July 2026, BEB5 Mojiko by Hoshino Resorts brings a relaxed, social style of accommodation to retro Mojiko City in Fukuoka Prefecture. The concept, “Tokimeki Strait Stay,” centres on spontaneity and connection. A 24-hour communal space known as TAMARIBA crowns the hotel, offering panoramic views across the Kanmon Strait and creating a vibrant hub for travellers.

Why These Openings Matter for Travellers

Together, these eight properties highlight Japan’s evolving approach to tourism, where sustainability, cultural preservation and contemporary design work in harmony. They invite travellers to experience destinations through architecture, history and local storytelling, making each stay a journey in itself.

For more information on these upcoming properties, visit:
https://www.hoshinoresorts.com

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