A hidden garden retreat where Japanese minimalism meets spiritual stillness
Tucked into the forested hills of Hokkaido, Shiguchi is a retreat unlike any other — part art museum, part ryokan, and entirely rooted in Japan’s seasonal soul. This intimate collection of five restored kominka (century-old farmhouses) blends timeless craftsmanship with contemporary Japanese art, all set against a backdrop of rolling fields and snow-dusted mountains.
Here, the rhythm of nature dictates the pace. Mornings are quiet and misty, evenings rich with firelight and locally prepared meals. Shiguchi is where simplicity becomes sacred — a place to slow down, feel deeply, and rediscover meaning in stillness.
Highlight: Sipping tea in a century-old home while snow falls silently outside and modern art breathes life into the walls.
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About Resort
Accommodations
Traditional homes reimagined for reflective living.
- Five fully restored kominka, each with its own name, story, and artistic curation
- Interiors preserve original beams, shoji screens, and wood-fired hearths, paired with modern comforts
- Spacious living areas, tatami rooms, deep soaking tubs, and views of Mount Yotei or the surrounding countryside
- Each house serves as a private gallery, with rotating collections from the owner’s art foundation
Dining
Seasonal, local, and quietly exquisite.
- Daily breakfast and private multi-course dinners curated by local chefs
- Menus follow the microseasons, with ingredients sourced from Hokkaido’s fields, forests, and nearby coast
- Dishes served in-room or at the dining house — a restored kominka with an open kitchen
- Focus on purity, presentation, and balance, in true Japanese culinary tradition
Wellness & Culture
Stillness, craftsmanship, and connection.
- Traditional Japanese bathing experiences in handcrafted hinoki tubs
- Guided meditation, tea ceremony, and forest bathing sessions by request
- Opportunities to visit nearby artists, potters, and calligraphers for cultural immersion
- Winter stays include meditative snowfall walks and time by the irori (sunken hearth)
Experiences & Surroundings
A quiet world, shaped by nature and art.
- Explore the quiet beauty of Niseko’s countryside through hiking, cycling, or slow seasonal walks
- In winter, combine your stay with skiing at nearby resorts while returning to peaceful evenings
- Curated art tours through the Joichi Hoshi Foundation or private gallery showings
- Firewood saunas, open-air soaking, and evenings under star-filled skies
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