PAID CONTENT FOR AZUMI SETODA
Azumi Setoda HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Opened in March 2021 on the island of Ikuchi-jima in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, Azumi Setoda balances tradition and modernity to reimagine the ryokan inn experience. Once the residence of the Horiuchi family — prominent local salt merchants — the 140-year-old compound has been thoughtfully restored under the vision of hotelier Adrian Zecha. The result is a fusion of time-honoured omotenashi (Japanese guest culture) and a modern philosophy of regenerative hospitality. Ikuchi-jima, known as Japan’s ‘Lemon Island’,
lies along the Shimanami Kaido, a scenic cycling route linking islands with bridges stretching like silver ribbons across the sea. Travellers pause to breathe in the citrus-scented air or visit cafes in Setoda town serving sweets made from local fruit. Lemon sculptures brighten the promenade and at sunset the island glows between sea and sky. Azumi’s restoration was guided by the belief that
a place already has its own plan, that architecture should listen before it speaks. The team treated the Horiuchi-tei compound and the surrounding shotengai — a narrow shopping street once busy
with seafarers and merchants — as living partners. Local artisans and Kyoto carpenters were engaged to revive sukiya architectural techniques, while modern systems were discreetly integrated. Conceived as a ryokan rather than a hotel, Azumi
Setoda offers a sense of home and connection. Guests are welcomed as one might greet a friend — warmly and without scripted formality. The adjacent Yubune public bathhouse extends this spirit into the town, inviting both residents and travellers to share in a calm rhythm of renewal. Within the two-storey guest pavilion, four room
types surround a central courtyard, framed by kakine fences. Cedar, cypress, washi paper and granite form a soothing palette, with each room featuring a cypress bathtub. At the heart of the property stands the azumaya, a flexible, open pavilion with no fixed function, transforming from tearoom to dining space to yoga studio as needed. During breakfast and dinner, guests dine on tableware once used by the Horiuchi family, creating a tangible link between the house’s history and its renewed purpose.
DON’T MISS Discover Setoda’s rhythm: bathe, cycle and breathe in the scent of its lemon groves
17 7 Need to know
KEY FEATURES • 22 guest rooms with Bluetooth speakers, a lock-box, mini-bar, under-floor heating, a toiletry set, room wear & sandals
• Restaurant using local ingredients • Pavilion & garden • Public bath & lounge • 18 parking spaces • Free wi-fi
GET IN TOUCH
azumi.co/setoda T: +81 845 23 7911 E:
setoda@azumi.co
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