Alila Sengokuhara Hakone, the Hyatt luxury brand’s first property in Japan will open in 2028 in the mountain hot-spring district of Hakone, as part of an agreement with Fujita Corporation.
The resort marks Alila’s entry into a market where Hyatt already operates nine brands, and will be built within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Sengokuhara, a highland district known for its mineral-rich hot springs, forested ridges and autumn pampas grass fields.
The property will be designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates, with an architectural approach built around the site’s elevation changes and its surrounding forest and mountain views.
The rooms and the onsen
Alila Sengokuhara Hakone will have 60 guestrooms, including 11 suites, and each room will feature a private natural hot spring bath drawing on Hakone’s thermal waters.
Wellbeing sits at the centre of the design, with a yoga deck set within the landscape alongside the in-room onsen offering. A restaurant and bar will focus on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus drawn from nearby fields, forests and seas.
The resort will also run Alila Moments, the brand’s programme of place-led experiences spanning the region’s landscapes, artistic traditions and seasonal rituals.
“With 19 properties globally, including 13 in Asia, we are excited to announce plans to introduce the Alila brand to Japan,” says Hyatt group president, Asia Pacific David Udell.
“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.”
Kengo Kuma says, “We are designing a hotel that will blend seamlessly into Hakone’s magnificent natural setting”.
“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.”
President of Fujita Corporation Yoji Okumura says, “In this new project, we will maximise 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.”
Sengokuhara is a well-established leisure base within easy reach of Tokyo, drawing Japanese and international travellers for its art museums, volcanic terrain and views toward Mt Kintoki.
The property brings Hyatt’s Japan portfolio to 10 brands, part of the company’s stated ambition to double its footprint in the country over the next decade.
For more information, visit Alila Hotels.
KARRYON UNPACKS: An all-onsen-suite Alila designed by Kengo Kuma gives Australian advisors a compelling new anchor for high-end Japan itineraries within striking distance of Tokyo. With Japan’s inbound luxury demand running hot, a 2028 opening in Hakone’s national park signals where the next wave of mindful, design-led resort supply is landing.
