Azumi Setoda, Ikuchijima
A Ryokan Reimagined on the Inland Sea
Where Heritage Finds New Rhythm
On the quiet shores of Ikuchijima, a small island of 8,000 residents in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, Azumi Setoda carries global weight. As the inaugural property of Adrian Zecha’s new Azumi brand, the hotel honors the ryokan tradition while subtly reinventing it for today’s traveler. Here, architecture, service, and cuisine work in concert to balance heritage with modern expression.
Guest Rooms in Refined Simplicity
Azumi Setoda retains the intimate spirit of a ryokan: tatami mats underfoot, shoji screens filtering light, natural materials grounding the spaces. Yet each detail is considered through a contemporary lens. Proportions are generous, furnishings minimal but bespoke, and comforts discreetly modern. The result is an atmosphere that feels deeply traditional while quietly global—a refined simplicity that resonates beyond Japan.
Public Spaces as Cultural Dialogue
Hospitality here extends into cultural immersion. Guests are invited into wellness rituals rooted in ryokan tradition, into gardens and baths where nature sets the pace, and into dining experiences where local Setouchi flavors are transformed into artful cuisine. Every gesture—whether a tea ceremony, a local craft demonstration, or a communal meal—feels like a bridge between eras. The ryokan becomes not a relic, but a living dialogue between past and present.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Azumi Setoda is a masterclass in reinterpreting Japanese tradition. By merging ryokan rituals with contemporary design and global hospitality, it offers travelers more than accommodation: it offers a cultural encounter, graceful and unforgettable. For those seeking authenticity without nostalgia, Azumi is the future of Japanese innkeeping.
