Historic Auberge 'Wakatsuki Tsuwano' to Reopen on July 17, 2026

Social Design Partners Inc. (Headquarters: Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takayoshi Tanaka), which develops place-making businesses rooted in regional contexts under the philosophy of 'turning passion into business and culture into value,' announced that its subsidiary, LLC Wakatsuki (Headquarters: Tsuwano-cho, Kanoashi-gun, Shimane Prefecture; Representative: Takayoshi Tanaka), will renew and reopen the historic auberge 'Wakatsuki Tsuwano' in Tsuwano, Shimane, on Friday, July 17, 2026. Wakatsuki Tsuwano is a facility that inherits the former Hashimoto main store sake brewery, which boasts a history of over 300 years.

The main building, designated as a registered tangible cultural property, will be transformed into a venue for Japanese-style afternoon tea during the day and a lounge exclusively for staying guests at night. A private pavilion called 'Tainai-yoku,' created by renovating one of the traditional storehouses, will be permanently established and open to staying guests. Furthermore, under the leadership of Yoshinori Ikenoya, who has been appointed as the Brand Executive Chef, the Tsuwano gastronomy course at 'Wakatsuki Saryo' will be revamped. An afternoon tea service will also commence to allow day-trippers to experience Wakatsuki. Prior to this, a special 'Eve of Renewal' room-only plan, offering stays at approximately half the previous price, will be available from Monday, June 8, 2026, until the reopening on July 16.

Background of the Renewal

Wakatsuki Tsuwano opened in October 2025 as a facility inheriting the 'former Hashimoto main store,' a sake brewery with a history of over 300 years. In Tsuwano, a historic castle town known for its intellect where figures like Amane Nishi and Ogai Mori emerged, the auberge has attempted to reweave the time and stories accumulated in the land into the context of a modern accommodation stay.

However, since its opening, the main building and the storehouse—both registered tangible cultural properties—have operated as the 'Hon-an' (main hermitage). Because it is a traditional folk house, it lacked sufficient insulation during the winter, making it difficult to offer as an accommodation facility to guests. Taking the opportunity of the appointment of Ikenoya, the chef of its sister brand 'Wakatsuki Yoshida Oku-Izumo,' as the Brand Executive Chef, the company decided to renovate the main building and storehouse. The policy is to evolve the inn into a place where guests can deeply experience the charm of Tsuwano, not only through spatial experiences but also through the cuisine provided.

Renewal Concept: Resonance with Tsuwano Through the Five Senses

With the reopening on July 17, 2026, four new initiatives will simultaneously launch to awaken the memories of the castle town of Tsuwano in the five senses of visitors.

(1) Establishment of an exclusive lounge for staying guests (2) Private pavilion 'Tainai-yoku' housed in a renovated storehouse (3) Revamped course meals led by the new Brand Executive Chef (4) New opening of an afternoon tea service

(1) Establishment of an Exclusive Lounge - Transforming the Main Building into a Shared Relaxation Space

After the renewal, the registered tangible cultural property main building (formerly 'Hon-an') will shift its evening role to an exclusive lounge available only to staying guests. Guests staying in the three detached annexes (Ichino-an, Nino-an, and Sanno-an) can spend their time after dinner in the spacious room, which retains the beams and design from its sake brewery days, serving as 'another place to belong' to relax in a different manner than in their own rooms.

(2) Private Pavilion 'Tainai-yoku' Housed in a Renovated Storehouse

One of the storehouses in the garden of the main building, also a registered tangible cultural property, will be renovated and permanently established as the private pavilion 'Tainai-yoku.' Originally an exclusive facility only for guests staying in the Hon-an, it will be reborn as a facility that guests staying in the detached rooms can experience privately.

Stepping into the traditional earthen storehouse, one is enveloped in darkness with light reflecting quietly. The installation space 'Tainai-yoku' evokes the space between life and death. As it is available for private use, guests can fully experience it in a completely private environment.

(3) Revamped Course Meals Led by the New Brand Executive Chef

Effective June 1, 2026, Yoshinori Ikenoya will assume the position of Brand Executive Chef. He will concurrently serve as the manager and chef of the sister facility 'Wakatsuki Yoshida Oku-Izumo,' which opened on May 18, 2026, overseeing the gastronomy of both properties.

After honing his skills at a two-star restaurant in the Brittany region of France, Ikenoya returned to Japan and took charge of banquet and French cuisine at domestic luxury hotels and grand maisons. Furthermore, he is a chef who has participated in the launch of four new hotels at the executive chef level, taking responsibility for establishing operations and taste unique to the opening period.

The facility's restaurant, 'Wakatsuki Saryo,' has operated as Tsuwano gastronomy inheriting the land's context, but the new policy will reinterpret this context while adding French outlines. By placing Tsuwano's mountains and waters, ingredients grown in clear streams, the local sake culture, and the story of the Hashimoto main store itself at the core of the course, the menu will be reconstructed into a new composition crossing Japanese and French techniques.

(4) New Opening of Afternoon Tea Service

During the day, the main building will also operate as a stage for a 'Japanese Afternoon Tea' experience, open not only to staying guests but also to drop-in visitors. The collaboration between the company's food designer and Chef Ikenoya will offer an unprecedented, novel dining experience.

While Tsuwano has traditionally been known as a tourist destination, many visitors are day-trippers who stay in neighboring areas like Hagi. Consequently, the length of stay in Tsuwano is short, creating a challenge in fully conveying the town's charm and culture. After the renewal, the adjacent restaurant space will be opened to the general public as 'Wakatsuki Saryo.' Furthermore, by creating opportunities to stay during the day through afternoon tea, the company expects to increase both the duration of stay and contact points with the town of Tsuwano.

The tea ceremony, weaving in the four seasons and ingredients of Tsuwano, will become a new destination to spend an afternoon for those visiting the castle town. Details will be announced separately via press releases and the reservation site.

'Eve of Renewal' Special Room-Only Plan: June 8 - July 16, 2026

As a preparation period prior to the reopening, a special room-only plan allowing guests to experience the current 'Wakatsuki Tsuwano' as a private rental will be offered at approximately half the previous accommodation price. Sales for the special plan will begin sequentially from May 21, 2026, and are expected to be limited to 30 nights.

Period: Check-ins from Monday, June 8, 2026, to Thursday, July 16, 2026 Content: Private whole-house rental, room only (Meals will only be provided to guests with existing reservations) Price: Offered at approximately half the previous accommodation price Reference Price: From 15,000 yen per person (Weekdays / Detached Sanno-an) Details of the plan can be checked on the company's reservation site.