Tadao Ando Setouchi Retre

A former privately-owned guesthouse designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando has been converted into a luxury, boutique hotel.

The Setouchi Retreat Aonagi opened its doors on December 20, 2015. Described as a ‘small, luxury hotel’, the contemporary concrete and glass building contains just seven guest suites ranging from 100 ~ 150 sqm (1,076 ~ 1,614 sq.ft) in size. The design, which is true to Ando’s style, is bold yet minimal, and makes the most of the views over the Seto Inland Sea.

The 6-storey building was built in 1998 as the Elleair Matsuyama Guesthouse and Museum of Art. The museum was built to display artwork held by the Daio Paper company, including pieces by Marc Chagall and Marie Laurencin. While the museum was previously open to the public, the adjoining guest house was for private guests only.

Room rates, including a spa treatment package, range from 95,000 ~ 170,000 Yen (800 ~ 1,440 USD) per night for two people.

The area is becoming quite famous for the Setouchi Triennial contemporary art festival, where installations by over 150 artists are displayed throughout the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The festival runs once every three years. The next festival is scheduled to run in 2016.

Setouchi Triennial
The Setouchi Triennial

Luxury boutique resorts and ryokans are experiencing a revival amidst a growing tourist market, with several major players entering the market in recent years.

Location

794-1 Yanaidanimachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture

Tadao Ando Setouchi Retreat Aonagi 11

Sources:
Daio Paper News Release, June 16, 2015.
JDN, December 21, 2015.
Hotel website: http://setouchi-aonagi.jp/

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