Hakone, a celebrated volcanic spa town in eastern Japan, is on track to gain a luxurious new 33-acre hot springs retreat, called Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, by 2026.

Nestled in a forest within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the resort is being designed as a retreat in nature and will feature 126 guest rooms designed by award-winning interior firm Yabu Pushelberg.

A highlight will be onsen-style wellness amenities, fed by an on-site hot spring renowned for its uniquely high-saline content. Onsens, an integral part of Japanese culture, are hot spring baths believed to offer numerous health benefits, including improved circulation, stress relief, enhanced sleep quality, skin rejuvenation and natural pain relief.

The resort’s location in the national park will provide striking views of Mount Fuji and offer guests the opportunity to explore the region’s abundant alpine forests, lakes and volcanic mineral hot springs.

Hotel The Mitsui Hakone is a project spearheaded by Mitsui Fudosan, a global real estate and development company. The company's hospitality division, Mitsui Fudosan Resort Management, will oversee the hotel in collaboration with Marriott International’s Luxury Collection.

Operated under the Hotel The Mitsui (HTM) luxury brand, the Hakone property will celebrate traditional Japanese aesthetics, local history and harmony with nature.

Beyond wellness, amenities will include an all-day dining restaurant and a speciality venue showcasing seasonal cuisine, complete with expansive terraces and panoramic views.

The Hakone destination will be the second property under HTM, joining the existing Kyoto flagship which has earned a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating and is also co-operated by Marriott under its Luxury Collection brand.

Known for its dedication to wellness, the Kyoto hotel features a 1,000sq m spa with a thermal onsen spring, four treatment rooms, a gym and two private onsen facilities with living rooms, private gardens and outdoor hot spring baths.

The spa’s offerings include shiatsu massages, facials and treatments rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Guests can also enjoy exclusive facials developed in partnership with the French family-owned skincare brand Alaena.