Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta and Japanese hotel group Not a Hotel joined forces to create a calm, innovative design nestled in the landscape of Hokkaido Island.

Surrounded by the Shikotsu-Toya National Park on the island of Hokkaido, Not a Hotel Rusutsu offers breathtaking views of Mount Yotei, one of Japan's most famous mountains. This secluded 1,200-square-meter structure is just over an hour from the island capital Sapporo and New Chitose airport. It sits atop the Rusutsu Resort, a famous ski resort popular with winter sports enthusiasts, with some thirty slopes. The resort is renowned for its exceptional powder snow and summer hiking. The aim of Snøhetta and Not a Hotel, which is reinventing the concept of vacation homes around the world, is to continue to elevate the human experience.

LUXURY RESORT

This innovative temple pays homage to the mountainous landscape of the Land of the Rising Sun. The building, composed of two linear volumes, placed perpendicularly and slightly curved, expresses itself in a refined, minimalist form. "We immersed ourselves in this magnificent peak, the snowdrifts, the changing seasons and the celestial zenith of the site to shape the project," explains Richard Wood, Managing Director of Snøhetta Asia.
The central patio serves as a place for gathering and reflection, inviting guests to contemplation and community activities. The top floor includes the living room and courtyard, which extends into a kitchen, dining room and lounge area, as well as bedrooms, offices and outdoor baths. The lower level, partially submerged, houses wellness facilities such as a gym and sauna.

HOLISTIC APPROACH

Its double-volume configuration enhances this architectural coherence. The glass façade and large windows sublimate the whole, playing with light variations and indoor-outdoor transitions to increasingly invite nature into the heart of the building. "Not a Hotel Rusutsu elevates the possibilities of 21st-century architecture," insists Shinji Hamauzu, owner and founder of Not a Hotel.

The building's stone and wood finish off this successful design in the heart of the mountain landscape, emphasizing sustainability and aesthetic harmony. "The use of natural and local materials further embodies this project's holistic approach to human well-being and harmony with nature," concludes Ana Castaingts, interior architect at Snøhetta.

Since its launch in July 2024, this exceptional complex has been moving forward in phases, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy shared ownership.

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