Onko Chishin to Open 'Aso Retreat HONO' in November 2026: A Nature-Immersive Stay in Aso
Onko Chishin will open 'Aso Retreat HONO' in Minamiaso, Kumamoto, in November 2026. Featuring 17 rooms with private open-air hot spring baths, the resort partners with the Japan Kusaki Lab to offer foraging experiences and 'Primitive Gastronomy.'
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 22:00
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Onko Chishin, a producer of destination hotels, announces the opening of 'Aso Retreat HONO by Onko Chishin' in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, in November 2026. In the land of Aso, home to one of the world's largest calderas, the resort proposes a stay that shifts from 'enjoying nature' to 'confronting the roots of nature.' Walking through fields, picking herbs, lighting fires, and immersing in hot spring water—the resort places these primal human activities at the core of the stay. Under the theme of 'ASO FORAGING EXPERIENCE,' it offers time for guests to return to their natural senses through interaction with the land.
The facility is located in the caldera with panoramic views of the Aso Five Peaks, featuring 17 rooms, all equipped with private open-air hot spring baths. The concept is 'Dialogue of Fire and Earth, Promise between Land and Man.' The name 'HONO' comes from the Japanese word for the faint presence of fire. The logo abstracts the figure of a human embracing a mountain, symbolizing a landscape where nature and humanity melt together.
The 'ASO FORAGING EXPERIENCE' is the core of the stay, where guests dive deep into the land's respiration through foraging, from the 'Edible Garden' on-site to Aso’s wild hills and streams. With the supervision of the Japan Kusaki Lab, the garden includes over 30 types of native plants linked to the dining experience. Furthermore, the company collaborates with Green Elm, led by forest designer Fumitaka Nishino, for sustainable landscape creation and research.
The culinary experience, 'Primitive Gastronomy,' is themed around circulation and the primal. Chef Yamato Imanishi, originally from Kochi Prefecture, maximizes the rich ingredients of Aso, presenting dishes that can only be created here, structured like the flow of water from the mountains to the sea. Drawing on his experience at globally renowned restaurants, Chef Imanishi delivers a superlative culinary journey harmonized with Aso's terroir.
The facility is located in the caldera with panoramic views of the Aso Five Peaks, featuring 17 rooms, all equipped with private open-air hot spring baths. The concept is 'Dialogue of Fire and Earth, Promise between Land and Man.' The name 'HONO' comes from the Japanese word for the faint presence of fire. The logo abstracts the figure of a human embracing a mountain, symbolizing a landscape where nature and humanity melt together.
The 'ASO FORAGING EXPERIENCE' is the core of the stay, where guests dive deep into the land's respiration through foraging, from the 'Edible Garden' on-site to Aso’s wild hills and streams. With the supervision of the Japan Kusaki Lab, the garden includes over 30 types of native plants linked to the dining experience. Furthermore, the company collaborates with Green Elm, led by forest designer Fumitaka Nishino, for sustainable landscape creation and research.
The culinary experience, 'Primitive Gastronomy,' is themed around circulation and the primal. Chef Yamato Imanishi, originally from Kochi Prefecture, maximizes the rich ingredients of Aso, presenting dishes that can only be created here, structured like the flow of water from the mountains to the sea. Drawing on his experience at globally renowned restaurants, Chef Imanishi delivers a superlative culinary journey harmonized with Aso's terroir.
FAQ
When does Aso Retreat HONO open?
It is scheduled to open in November 2026.
What kind of experiences are available?
Guests can participate in foraging for herbs in the 'Edible Garden' and exploring Aso's wilderness.
What is the dining style?
We offer 'Primitive Gastronomy,' using local ingredients cooked over open flames to reflect the cycle of nature.