Azumi Setoda is located within a 140 year old Japanese residential compound, enlisting Kyoto-based architect Shiro Miura to work closely on the restoration for a number of years. An expert in private residences and trained in the sukiya style of Japanese architecture, Miura has respected the original purpose of the building whilst reimagining the next century of its life; using natural materials to create a sense of harmony and relationship with the elements.
The ryokan offers a thoughtful mixture of open and secluded spaces for guests to relax and enjoy, creating a harmonious atmosphere and experience. From the reception area and main dining room featuring communal tables for guests to interact through to the property’s semi-private dining and entertaining areas, and Azumaya, a quiet multipurpose garden room. This space, built on the site of the family's former teahouse, offers an area for secluded meditation and was influenced by the aesthetic concept of yohaku, ‘blank space’.
Alongside the multiple garden spaces across the property, every guest room has its own outdoor area; either a private garden designed by WA-SO landscape architects, a generous balcony, or a combination of both. Each one is unique and is well secluded thanks to Shiro’s bold, unconventional take on the traditional kakine, cedar fence, which has been adapted to create harmony between private and communal spaces within the property.
The restoration was driven by the goal of rebalancing the relationship between moisture, wind, and light as Miura uses wood, stone, and soil as his primary materials. By understanding these materials as living, exemplified by their capacity to bend, break, and change colour at their own will, Miura sees them as a reflection of the condition of the environment.
All of the furniture within the ryokan has been custom made in co-creation with Doi Mokkou, a local artisan specialising in wood. The pieces made for Azumi Setoda use exclusively local natural materials, primarily unfinished Japanese Cypress, designed to blend into the interiors. The furniture was also designed to harmonise with the garden view, including key pieces built at custom heights so as to offer optimal views of the interior courtyard.
The yubune bathhouse, also designed by Shiro Miura, resides across the street from Azumi Setoda. Guests are welcomed into the building by a repurposed tablet bearing the motto of the original owners, the Horiuchi Family, “New Day, New Wind”.
Acting as a focal point for the space, the tiled artwork has been designed by Japanese artist Mai Miyake. Typically, artwork found in sento, public bathhouses, features Mount Fuji as a motif, however Miyake opted to depict the scenery of the island and Setouchi’s rich ocean life within the intricate wall murals.
In a gesture to the wider community of Setoda, Azumi will operate yubune not only for its ryokan guests, but as a public bathhouse where all are welcomed. Guests will be invited to learn about and experience Japanese bathing culture, lemon and salt bathing, and sauna.
Azumi Setoda is located on Ikuchijima island, on the West Side of the Setouchi Region, the Seto Inland Sea, in Hiroshima Prefecture.