[Risonare Shimonoseki] Visited Mayor Shintaro Maeda of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to report that Risonare Shimonoseki has been selected for TIME's "The World’s Greatest Places of 2026"

Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture Mayor Shintaro Maeda (right) and Risonare Shimonoseki General Manager Yoshitaka Suzuki (left)

Risonare Shimonoseki, the eighth facility of the resort hotel brand "Risonare" operated by Hoshino Resorts both domestically and internationally, was selected on March 12, 2026, for "The World’s Greatest Places of 2026" (*1) announced by TIME, the world's largest English-language weekly news magazine originating in the United States. Following this result, Yoshitaka Suzuki, General Manager of Risonare Shimonoseki, visited Mayor Shintaro Maeda of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on March 24 to report the news.

*1 Details of The World's Greatest Places of 2026:https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places/2026/

Comment from Mayor Shintaro Maeda

This news has given Shimonoseki City a great sense of "confidence." I hope that for the younger generation who will support this city in the future, this will lead to a great sense of "pride" in knowing that the place where they were born and raised is a place the world can be proud of.

General Manager Suzuki reporting to Mayor Maeda

About "TIME"

Founded in 1923 with over 100 years of history, TIME is the world's largest and first English-language weekly news magazine, originating in the U.S. and read by 20 million people in 200 countries. The annual "The World’s Greatest Places" is a list of 100 destinations to visit or stay. This list is created by focusing on places that offer new and exciting experiences, following a process of nominations from TIME's correspondents and contributors around the world, as well as an open call for submissions. The scope covers a wide range of categories including hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, and parks, and is divided into two categories: "Places to Stay" and "Places to Visit." This year, Risonare Shimonoseki, the eighth facility of the resort hotel brand "Risonare" operated by Hoshino Resorts, was selected as one of the greatest "Places to Stay." This is the first time a Hoshino Resorts facility has been selected individually in the "Places to Stay" category.

Background of Selection

With the concept of a "Designer's Hotel of the Straits," Risonare Shimonoseki proposes a stay that allows guests to fully enjoy the straits through spatial design that incorporates unique local elements such as the scenery of the Kanmon Straits and "fugu" (pufferfish), as well as activities that leverage its location. The selection recognized the spatial design featuring the "fugu" motif—a rare delicacy to eat abroad—as well as the diverse activities to enjoy the straits and the thoughtful touches that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

"Risonare Shimonoseki" for a stay that fully enjoys the straits

Architectural Design of Risonare Shimonoseki

Naminami Terrace

Risonare Shimonoseki is characterized by its architectural design that incorporates unique local elements such as the scenery of the Kanmon Straits and "fugu" throughout. The "Naminami Terrace" features a wave-like design that becomes steeper toward the edge, equipped with a lawn area, sofas for lounging, and counter seating, allowing guests to enjoy the scenery of the Kanmon Straits as it changes throughout the day. The all-weather indoor pool, the "Fugu Pool," features a bold and playful design with a pufferfish motif, making it perfect for a child's first pool experience.

Diverse activities to fully enjoy the Kanmon Straits

My First Kanmon Straits

Naminami Bingo

Risonare Shimonoseki offers a variety of activities to fully enjoy the Kanmon Straits. Guests can enjoy experiences both inside and outside the facility, such as "My First Kanmon Straits," an activity where guests can learn about the characteristics and traffic rules of the Kanmon Straits while riding a boat, and "Naminami Bingo," a bingo game that allows guests to enjoy the scenery of the Kanmon Straits and the passing ships.

Risonare Shimonoseki

Risonare Shimonoseki Exterior

Opened on December 11, 2025, "Risonare Shimonoseki" is the first Hoshino Resorts Risonare brand property to enter the Kyushu/Yamaguchi area. It is a resort hotel with all rooms facing the straits, overlooking the Kanmon Straits. Guests can immerse themselves in the charm of the land and enjoy a stay that fully utilizes its design reflecting nature and culture, its cuisine, and activities that take advantage of its waterfront location.

Address: 4-1 Arukaport, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Phone: 050-3134-8093 (Risonare Reservation Center)

Number of rooms: 187 rooms, Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 12:00

Rates: From 21,000 yen per night (per person when two people share a room, tax included, meals separate)

Access: Approx. 5 minutes by car or bus from JR Shimonoseki Station, approx. 90 minutes by train from Fukuoka Airport

URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonareshimonoseki/

Official SNS: @risonareshimonoseki

About Risonare

Operating 8 facilities domestically and internationally

"Risonare" is a resort hotel brand operated by Hoshino Resorts both domestically and internationally. The concept is "PLAY HARD," to be absorbed and enjoy to the fullest. Through spatial design that utilizes the characteristics of the land, diverse activities, and experiences unique to the region and season, we provide visitors with a stay that exceeds their imagination and a journey that remains in their hearts. Including Risonare Shimonoseki, which opened in December 2025, we currently operate 8 facilities domestically and internationally. We are planning to open "Risonare Fukui" in 2027. URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/brands/risonare/ Official Instagram: @hoshinoresorts.risonare