Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. and H2O Retailing Corporation Jointly Promote Luxury Tourism Business for High-Net-Worth Individuals at "Azumi Setoda," a Luxury Accommodation Facility on Ikuchijima, Setouchi
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings and H2O Retailing have jointly established a Special Purpose Company (SPC) to acquire "Azumi Setoda," a luxury accommodation facility on Ikuchijima, Setouchi. They will jointly promote a luxury tourism business for high-net-worth individuals, aiming to build a high-value-added tourism model connecting urban and rural areas, anticipating the Osaka-Kansai Expo and Osaka IR.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 23:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 15:02
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Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Yasuo Shimada; hereinafter "Hankyu Hanshin HD") and H2O Retailing Corporation (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Naoya Araki; hereinafter "H2O") have jointly established a Special Purpose Company (SPC) to acquire "Azumi Setoda," a luxury accommodation facility located on Ikuchijima, Setouchi Sea (Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture). Through this project, the two companies will jointly promote a luxury tourism business for high-net-worth individuals, combining their expertise to build a high-value-added tourism model that connects urban and rural areas.
In the Kansai area, with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo expected to promote wide-area tourism as a legacy, an increase in wealthy overseas visitors is anticipated after the opening of the Osaka IR in 2030.
Against this backdrop and opportunity, the project aims to create a "Japan-specific luxury tourism model" that combines urban stays centered in Osaka and Umeda with cultural and natural experiences in the Setouchi region. This will leverage the knowledge and networks cultivated by the Hankyu Hanshin HD Group through various businesses, and the strengths of the H2O Group in high-value consumption, including its customer base of department store VIPs and wealthy individuals.
■ About "Azumi Setoda"
"Azumi Setoda" is the first facility of the "Azumi" brand, founded by Mr. Adrian Zecha, who created the world's leading luxury hotel group "Aman Resorts" and numerous other hotels, with the concept of "a new ryokan experience for modern travelers." It was created by regenerating the "Former Horiuchi Residence," a traditional house with approximately 150 years of history.
The stay experience, harmonized with the nature, history, and culture of Setouchi, has received high praise from wealthy travelers both domestically and internationally, possessing high potential as a base for luxury tourism.
■ Specific Initiatives of this Project
● Planning and development of multi-destination tour products combining Osaka and Umeda as a hub for attracting wealthy inbound visitors with the Setouchi region.
● Creation of high-value-added experiential content combining stays, culture, and shopping experiences, through collaboration with department store VIP customers and overseas wealthy networks.
● Establishment of luxury transportation connecting urban and Setouchi areas, utilizing private cars, helicopters, cruises, etc.
● Development of sustainable and community-integrated tourism content linked to Setouchi's nature, food, traditional culture, and historical resources.
Through these initiatives, in addition to providing highly satisfying travel experiences for customers, the project aims to create a flow of people moving between Osaka/Umeda and the Setouchi region, generating continuous economic benefits for both areas.
■ "Azumi Setoda" Facility Overview
● Facility Name: Azumi Setoda
● Location: 269, Miyukicho, Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, etc.
● Number of Rooms: 36 rooms (Azumi Setoda 22 rooms (50-70 sqm), yubune 14 rooms (22-33 sqm))
● Opening Year: 2021
● Website: https://azumi.co/ja/setoda/
■ "Azumi Setoda" Location Map
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/
Release https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/05/ca6f415a2949dbe1fe522065fdd28bd7a187abb0.pdf
Issued by: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka
In the Kansai area, with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo expected to promote wide-area tourism as a legacy, an increase in wealthy overseas visitors is anticipated after the opening of the Osaka IR in 2030.
Against this backdrop and opportunity, the project aims to create a "Japan-specific luxury tourism model" that combines urban stays centered in Osaka and Umeda with cultural and natural experiences in the Setouchi region. This will leverage the knowledge and networks cultivated by the Hankyu Hanshin HD Group through various businesses, and the strengths of the H2O Group in high-value consumption, including its customer base of department store VIPs and wealthy individuals.
■ About "Azumi Setoda"
"Azumi Setoda" is the first facility of the "Azumi" brand, founded by Mr. Adrian Zecha, who created the world's leading luxury hotel group "Aman Resorts" and numerous other hotels, with the concept of "a new ryokan experience for modern travelers." It was created by regenerating the "Former Horiuchi Residence," a traditional house with approximately 150 years of history.
The stay experience, harmonized with the nature, history, and culture of Setouchi, has received high praise from wealthy travelers both domestically and internationally, possessing high potential as a base for luxury tourism.
■ Specific Initiatives of this Project
● Planning and development of multi-destination tour products combining Osaka and Umeda as a hub for attracting wealthy inbound visitors with the Setouchi region.
● Creation of high-value-added experiential content combining stays, culture, and shopping experiences, through collaboration with department store VIP customers and overseas wealthy networks.
● Establishment of luxury transportation connecting urban and Setouchi areas, utilizing private cars, helicopters, cruises, etc.
● Development of sustainable and community-integrated tourism content linked to Setouchi's nature, food, traditional culture, and historical resources.
Through these initiatives, in addition to providing highly satisfying travel experiences for customers, the project aims to create a flow of people moving between Osaka/Umeda and the Setouchi region, generating continuous economic benefits for both areas.
■ "Azumi Setoda" Facility Overview
● Facility Name: Azumi Setoda
● Location: 269, Miyukicho, Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, etc.
● Number of Rooms: 36 rooms (Azumi Setoda 22 rooms (50-70 sqm), yubune 14 rooms (22-33 sqm))
● Opening Year: 2021
● Website: https://azumi.co/ja/setoda/
■ "Azumi Setoda" Location Map
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/
Release https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/05/ca6f415a2949dbe1fe522065fdd28bd7a187abb0.pdf
Issued by: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka