AZUMA FARM Koiwai, Shizukuishi
Where regenerative farming, contemporary architecture, and slow Japanese hospitality come together beneath Mount Iwate.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A pioneering farm retreat that redefines luxury through landscape, sustainability, and an authentic connection to place.
● Architecture by Shiro Miura that dissolves into forests and pastures using hyperlocal materials and timeless craftsmanship.
● Immersive experiences that celebrate the traditions, agriculture, and artisans of Japan’s beautiful Tohoku region.
Where Land Leads the Experience
At the foot of Mount Iwate, surrounded by forests, volcanic landscapes, and the vast pastures of historic Koiwai Farm, AZUMA FARM Koiwai introduces an entirely new perspective on Japanese luxury hospitality. Opened in 2026, the intimate retreat offers just 24 villas spread across one of Japan’s oldest and most celebrated working farms. Although only a little over two hours from Tokyo, the atmosphere feels completely removed from city life. Here, the landscape dictates the rhythm of every day, inviting guests to reconnect with nature, agriculture, and the quiet beauty of rural Japan.
A New Philosophy of Hospitality
Created by Azumi Japan in partnership with East Japan Railway Company, AZUMA FARM represents the next chapter of the vision first introduced by Adrian Zecha, founder of Aman. Rather than focusing on spectacle, the concept embraces simplicity, craftsmanship, and an almost invisible form of luxury rooted entirely in its surroundings. Instead of imposing architecture onto the landscape, every decision begins with the land itself. Seasons, weather, local materials, and regional traditions shape both the guest experience and the design philosophy.
Architecture That Steps Back
Designed by Kyoto architect Shiro Miura, the retreat feels less like a hotel and more like a small rural settlement. Inspired by ancient Jōmon villages, the villas are arranged around a central communal clearing where guests naturally gather throughout the day. The buildings themselves celebrate local craftsmanship. Red pine harvested from Koiwai’s forests forms the structural framework, cedar lines the interiors, and chestnut wood adds warmth throughout the villas. Earthen walls incorporate grasses from the surrounding pastures, creating architecture that literally grows from the landscape in which it stands. Nothing feels decorative. Every material belongs exactly where it is.
Forest Villas in Perfect Balance
The accommodation consists of 22 Forest Villas and two larger Garden Villas, each positioned carefully among the trees to maximise privacy and uninterrupted views toward Mount Iwate. Interiors embrace quiet minimalism. Natural timber, soft woven textiles, handcrafted furnishings, and muted colours reflect the surrounding forests and meadows, while generous glazing dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Rather than filling the rooms with distractions, the design encourages presence. Light shifts gently throughout the day, materials age naturally, and silence becomes one of the property’s defining luxuries.
Fire, Food, and the Rhythm of the Seasons
At the heart of the retreat lies a communal fire circle where guests gather each evening beneath the stars. The atmosphere recalls ancient village traditions while remaining unmistakably contemporary. Dining follows the same philosophy. Menus celebrate the produce of Koiwai Farm alongside ingredients sourced throughout the Tohoku region, combining mountain vegetables, heritage livestock, dairy products, and seafood from the nearby Sanriku coast. Every meal reflects the changing seasons rather than culinary trends. An onsen, opening later in 2026, will complete the experience by adding another essential layer of traditional Japanese wellbeing.
Discovering Rural Japan
AZUMA FARM extends far beyond its architecture. Guests are encouraged to experience the culture and traditions of Iwate through carefully curated activities that connect directly with the surrounding region. Horseback rides cross centuries-old grazing lands, artisan workshops introduce guests to master craftsmen such as the eleventh-generation iron kettle maker Koizumi Nizaemon, while excursions explore lacquerware studios, wasabi farms, volcanic hiking trails, and the dramatic coastline of Sanriku. Rather than simply observing rural Japan, guests become part of its daily rhythm.
Why it Works
AZUMA FARM Koiwai quietly redefines what luxury can mean. Instead of excess, it offers authenticity. Instead of spectacle, it celebrates craftsmanship, landscape, and time. Rooted in regenerative farming, thoughtful architecture, and deep cultural connection, it represents one of Japan’s most compelling new hospitality concepts. For travelers seeking a slower, more meaningful way to experience the country, AZUMA FARM Koiwai is a destination that feels both timeless and entirely new.
