Fusion of Historical Breath and "Totono-i": NOTE Renovation & Design (NIPPONIA) and Sauna Inn Form Capital and Business Alliance
NOTE Renovation & Design (NIPPONIA) and Sauna Inn have formed a capital and business alliance. They aim to combine the utilization of historical buildings with saunas to co-create regional revitalization and high-value wellness tourism.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 2, 2026 at 16:31
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NOTE Renovation & Design Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture; Representative Director: Takeshi Fujiwara; hereinafter "NOTE R&D"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the NOTE Group which operates "NIPPONIA" accommodations utilizing historical buildings nationwide, and Sauna Inn Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kazuo Hisada; hereinafter "Sauna Inn"), which advocates a new lifestyle centered on saunas, are pleased to announce that they have concluded a capital and business alliance with the aim of promoting the utilization of historical resources, revitalizing local economies, and co-creating high-value wellness tourism.
■ Background of the Alliance: From "Preserving" History to a Place for "Rejuvenating" Mind and Body
The NOTE Group has been regenerating disappearing old folk houses and historical buildings as "assets that retain the memory of the land," and has developed "NIPPONIA" experiences across Japan, where guests travel through the daily life of the region.
On the other hand, Sauna Inn defines sauna not merely as a bathing facility but as a "cultural device for tuning the mind and body and sharpening the senses." Leveraging its architectural design expertise, it produces high-value sauna experiences, elevating Japan's sauna culture to a global wellness standard.
In rural areas facing serious issues such as population decline and vacant houses, what is now needed is "a clear motivation to visit that place" beyond mere accommodation functions. By combining the "depth of time" that historical buildings possess with the "ultimate sense of liberation" that saunas provide, both companies have entered into this alliance to create new human traffic and economic circulation in the region.
Provided by NIPPONIA Provided by NIPPONIA
■ Main Business Alliance and Joint Project Contents
Development of "Contextual Saunas" at "NIPPONIA"
They will jointly develop unique sauna experiences worldwide that respect the historical landscape and context of the land.
* Architectural Harmony: Incorporating the latest sauna engineering while utilizing the structure of old folk houses and storehouses over 100 years old.
* Localization of the Five Senses: Design that directly allows guests to experience local resources, such as local firewood (for wood-fired saunas), medicinal herbs for löyly, and spring water for cold baths.
Establishment of Wellness Tourism as a "Modern-day Hot Spring Cure (Toji)"
They will produce stay programs that connect local food, agriculture, and nature, starting with saunas.
* Digital Detox: Providing stay plans that reset modern stress through saunas in historical, tranquil spaces.
* Region-integrated Experience: Strengthening collaboration with surrounding facilities, such as offering local cuisine as "Sa-meshi" (sauna meal) after a sauna session.
Maximizing the Added Value of Underutilized Assets
Small storehouses, detached buildings, and barns that were previously difficult to utilize will be regenerated as premium private saunas. This will improve the overall occupancy rate of facilities and increase the average room rate (adding high value).
Earth Garden Resort Sauna Inn Tokyo Okutama Sauna Inn Niigata Myoko Kogen
■ Thoughts on the Alliance
Kazuo Hisada, Representative Director, Sauna Inn Co., Ltd.
"By adding sauna, a 'ritual that sharpens the senses,' to the deeply immersive accommodation experience that NIPPONIA offers, the travel experience becomes complete. Sauna is the best catalyst for bringing out the individuality of a place. From the steam rising from old folk houses, we will transmit a new form of wellness that Japan can be proud of to the world."
■ Company Overview
[Sauna Inn Co., Ltd.]
Location: 5-6-14 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business Activities: Planning, production, and operation of sauna facilities, architectural design, regional revitalization consulting
URL: https://www.sauna9.com/
Keywords:
■ Background of the Alliance: From "Preserving" History to a Place for "Rejuvenating" Mind and Body
The NOTE Group has been regenerating disappearing old folk houses and historical buildings as "assets that retain the memory of the land," and has developed "NIPPONIA" experiences across Japan, where guests travel through the daily life of the region.
On the other hand, Sauna Inn defines sauna not merely as a bathing facility but as a "cultural device for tuning the mind and body and sharpening the senses." Leveraging its architectural design expertise, it produces high-value sauna experiences, elevating Japan's sauna culture to a global wellness standard.
In rural areas facing serious issues such as population decline and vacant houses, what is now needed is "a clear motivation to visit that place" beyond mere accommodation functions. By combining the "depth of time" that historical buildings possess with the "ultimate sense of liberation" that saunas provide, both companies have entered into this alliance to create new human traffic and economic circulation in the region.
Provided by NIPPONIA Provided by NIPPONIA
■ Main Business Alliance and Joint Project Contents
Development of "Contextual Saunas" at "NIPPONIA"
They will jointly develop unique sauna experiences worldwide that respect the historical landscape and context of the land.
* Architectural Harmony: Incorporating the latest sauna engineering while utilizing the structure of old folk houses and storehouses over 100 years old.
* Localization of the Five Senses: Design that directly allows guests to experience local resources, such as local firewood (for wood-fired saunas), medicinal herbs for löyly, and spring water for cold baths.
Establishment of Wellness Tourism as a "Modern-day Hot Spring Cure (Toji)"
They will produce stay programs that connect local food, agriculture, and nature, starting with saunas.
* Digital Detox: Providing stay plans that reset modern stress through saunas in historical, tranquil spaces.
* Region-integrated Experience: Strengthening collaboration with surrounding facilities, such as offering local cuisine as "Sa-meshi" (sauna meal) after a sauna session.
Maximizing the Added Value of Underutilized Assets
Small storehouses, detached buildings, and barns that were previously difficult to utilize will be regenerated as premium private saunas. This will improve the overall occupancy rate of facilities and increase the average room rate (adding high value).
Earth Garden Resort Sauna Inn Tokyo Okutama Sauna Inn Niigata Myoko Kogen
■ Thoughts on the Alliance
Kazuo Hisada, Representative Director, Sauna Inn Co., Ltd.
"By adding sauna, a 'ritual that sharpens the senses,' to the deeply immersive accommodation experience that NIPPONIA offers, the travel experience becomes complete. Sauna is the best catalyst for bringing out the individuality of a place. From the steam rising from old folk houses, we will transmit a new form of wellness that Japan can be proud of to the world."
■ Company Overview
[Sauna Inn Co., Ltd.]
Location: 5-6-14 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business Activities: Planning, production, and operation of sauna facilities, architectural design, regional revitalization consulting
URL: https://www.sauna9.com/
Keywords: