Onko Chishin Inc. has announced the addition of two historic onsen ryokans to its collection. The company will open IZU RETREAT by Onko Chishin in November 2025 and OTARU RETREAT by Onko Chishin in December 2025.
Onko Chishin operates small luxury hotels across Japan, including Michelin-recognized properties. With the upcoming additions, the company expands its portfolio of 15 hotels and restaurants that it describes as storytellers of hidden Japan.
IZU RETREAT by Onko Chishin is the result of a full renovation of a Showa-era hot spring resort on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula. The property is located in Atagawa, about two hours from Tokyo by limited express train. The renovation reconfigures 24 rooms into 16 suites ranging from 936 square feet to 2,152 square feet, each with a private onsen bath overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Some suites feature private saunas and terraces, and one includes a traditional karaoke room.
OTARU RYOTEI KURAMURE joins the collection after selective renovations. Located in the port town of Otaru, Hokkaido, it was originally designed by Makoto Nakayama. When it reopens in December 2025 it will operate as OTARU RETREAT by Onko Chishin. The ryokan includes 18 rooms across five pavilions connected by covered walkways. It features sodium-calcium chloride hot springs and is set in a mountain environment.
Both properties reflect a focus on cultural engagement. The company positions them as regional gateways accessible from Japan’s major cities.
“We don’t simply renovate historic properties. We uncover the unseen, refine it with reverence, and present it to the world,” said Tomoki Matsuyama, CEO and founder of Onko Chishin. “Each hotel becomes a living showcase for its region. Our name, Onko Chishin, comes from Confucius: ‘To revisit the old is to better understand the new. We are storytellers of hidden Japan, sharing the country’s treasures with the world.”
