Hyatt Alila brand to debut in Japan with luxury Hakone hotel
- Adam German
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Fujita Corporation has begun development of Alila Sengokuhara Hakone, a planned 60-room luxury hotel that will bring Hyatt’s Alila brand to Japan for the first time.
The hotel is scheduled to open in 2028 in Hakone’s Sengokuhara area, with hot spring and spa facilities, restaurants, event space, and a yoga deck planned for the property.
The architectural design is being supervised by Kengo Kuma & Associates, with Fujita serving as developer and design-build contractor.
Exterior renderings of Alila Sengokuhara Hakone. Renderings courtesy of Kengo Kuma & Associates via Fujita press release found at the bottom of this article.
Fujita announced on June 29th that it has started development of the hotel in Sengokuhara, one of Hakone’s nature-rich resort areas.
The project will introduce Alila, one of Hyatt’s luxury hotel brands, to Japan for the first time. Hyatt will operate the hotel once it opens.
Alila properties are designed around local culture, nature, wellness, and sustainability. That positioning fits Hakone, where hot springs, mountain scenery, and quieter resort stays are central to the travel experience.
According to the release, all Alila hotels that have been operating for more than one year have obtained EarthCheck Certification, which supports sustainable tourism practices.
Alila Sengokuhara Hakone is planned for a site in Aza Rokubei, Sengokuhara, about 25 minutes by car from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
The hotel is expected to have 60 guest rooms across two floors above ground and two basement floors.
The project site covers approximately 19,365 square meters. Total floor area is expected to be approximately 10,283 square meters, with a planned building area of approximately 5,100 square meters.
The structure will be reinforced concrete, with some steel construction.
Facilities are planned to include hot spring and spa areas, a restaurant and bar, meeting and event space, and a yoga deck.
Fujita is handling the project as both the business operator and design-build contractor.
The architectural design is being supervised by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Interior design is being handled by SIMPLICITY, while landscape design is being handled by Place Media.
The combination of architectural, interior, and landscape specialists suggests the project is being positioned as more than a standard resort hotel. The emphasis is on a luxury stay that connects the building, interiors, and surrounding natural environment.
From left: David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific, Hyatt; Yoji Okumura, President of Fujita; Kengo Kuma of Kengo Kuma & Associates; and Shinichiro Ogata of SIMPLICITY. Photo courtesy of press release at the bottom of this article.
Why the Project Works for Hakone
Hakone is already one of Japan’s most established hot spring resort markets, supported by domestic leisure demand, inbound tourism, and its accessibility from Tokyo.
Sengokuhara has a different character from the busier Hakone-Yumoto area. It is known for its natural setting, open landscapes, museums, and quieter resort atmosphere.
For Hakone, Alila Sengokuhara Hakone would add another internationally branded luxury hotel to the market. For Hyatt, it gives the Alila brand a Japan entry point in one of the country’s best-known resort destinations.
The project also reflects a broader shift in Japan’s hospitality market, where high-end international hotel brands are increasingly looking beyond the country’s largest urban centres and into regional resort areas with strong tourism appeal.
Further Reading:
Fujita Corporation Press Release (June 29th, 2026; Japanese only)
