It may be small, but Hyogo prefecture’s Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea has heaps to offer visitors, with attractions ranging from a Hello Kitty resort to a Godzilla theme park. A new facility that opened in April, however, has a slightly different flavour than its island counterparts.
Zenbo Seinei is a wellness retreat designed by Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, where visitors can regain some balance in their busy lives with holistic treatments like plant-based Zenbo meals and quiet soaks in the onsen.
What makes the luxurious retreat particularly eye-catching is its striking geometric form. Light-filled spaces built with latticework frames provide a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountainscape. Located in the northern part of the island, the main timber structure was built along the meridian 135-degree east line, which was used to establish Japan Standard Time in the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
Located at the top of the structure is an open air, 100-metre-long platform in the sky where guests can partake in yoga classes. Meanwhile, the entire second floor of the facility is a minimalist space designed for practising Zen meditation.
Zenbo Seinei currently offers packages for day trips as well as overnight retreats. The day trip plans are priced at ¥23,000 per person (includes lunch), while an overnight stay costs ¥48,000 per person (meals included). You can book your stay here.
This article was published on Feb 24 and updated on July 20.
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