Setouchi Retreat Aonagi, hotel in Matsuyama, Japan
Setouchi Retreat Aonagi is a small boutique hotel with seven suites on the shore of the Seto Inland Sea in Matsuyama, Japan. The building was designed by architect Tadao Ando and features large glass walls, simple geometric forms, and an orientation that puts the sea and surrounding islands at the center of every room.
The building originally served as a museum before being converted into a hotel. This change fits into a broader movement across the Setonaikai region, where art and architecture have been used to breathe new life into former or repurposed sites.
The name Aonagi means something like "blue calm water" in Japanese, evoking the sea just outside. Throughout the property, carefully chosen artworks respond to the natural setting rather than competing with it, making the visit feel like a quiet conversation between art and landscape.
The hotel sits on the coast and is most easily reached by car or taxi from central Matsuyama, so it is worth contacting the staff before arrival to arrange transport. The team can also advise on nearby hot springs and on exploring the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
The outdoor pool is positioned so that its water surface appears to merge with the open sea just beyond, an effect that only works because the hotel sits almost at water level. This type of pool is rare in Japan, and even rarer in a setting this close to an open stretch of sea.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
