Luxury Accommodation on Historical Town of Setoda

Enjoy traditional comfort and panoramic sea views at this Edo-period estate turned luxury inn

Azumi Setoda was once the residence of a wealthy Japanese family that dominated the salt trade from their island location in the Seto Inland Sea, a trade route servicing Northern Japan. The estate was built in the Edo period (1603-1867) by the most skilled craftsmen the family could find, and recently restored by Kyoto architect Shiro Miura as a flagship for the Azumi brand of Aman hotels. The restoration makes the best of traditional ryokan style and a modern minimalist aesthetic. With the Azumi brand, the concept of the uniquely Japanese-style ryokan is being transformed to match the original intent of Aman hotel projects, which was to highlight the local culture, community, and produce.

The design of Azumi Setoda’s 22 rooms makes the best of traditional materials like wood and washi paper, but also features every modern amenity. Each room also has a hinoki cypress wooden bathtub—the ultimate in bathing facilities—with a secluded view of the outdoors.  

The dining service offers ingredients chosen from local vegetables and seafood, served on dining ware once used by the salt baron’s family. Azumi Setoda also offers unique activities for guests, including natural farming lessons, cycling, and catamaran sailing on the Inland Sea waters.

Access: Take the Shinkansen bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Fukuyama Station (one hour), then take the local train to Onomichi Station (20 minutes). From there, take the fast ferry for about 30 minutes.

Azumi Setoda