Not a Hotel, an innovative Japanese hospitality startup, has announced a new development designed by the renowned architectural firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel. 

Dubbed as Yakushima, the project will be situated on the charming Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its historic cedar woods and stunning natural settings.

In order to blend in with the island's wild landscape, the Yakushima development mostly used glass and rock in its architecture, which gives the structure the appearance of rising naturally from the ground. 

"The most sophisticated things belong to nature—its landscapes, its paths, its reliefs, the views that will be revealed; everything else is absence," Jean Nouvel explained. 

"This project is not about creating for those who wish to live here, but about falling in love—with a tree, a blade of grass, or a stone. Like a collector of modern art, one finds in stones, gardens, or bare ground the ideal way to experience the island. It’s nature, it’s a place, it’s a work of art, it’s rain, it’s the sound of water," Nouvel added. 

"At its base lies the stone—a permanent presence, shaped by time, rain, and wind, carrying the patina of years," Nouvel added. "Around it, rocks and blocks of stone are arranged with the ambition of creating something that feels as if it has always been here. 

"The island is like a treasure, a place where everything can change—something can be added or removed— yet always offering the calm pleasure of contemplation. Here, time is constant, and calmness must be absolute, meditative."

The design team stresses that integrating local phenomena, such the calming shadows created by rainfall and the peaceful sounds of running water, will enhance the visitor experience while staying at Yakushima.

Yakushima's distinct topography is a direct inspiration for Jean Nouvel's architectural philosophy, which skillfully incorporates the building into the landscape's organic lines. As guests explore the surrounding forest, the low, grounded building is gradually revealed thanks to the use of large glass panels and locally sourced stone. 

This careful approach to design makes sure that the architecture embraces rain and darkness as essential elements of the experience, enhancing the island's atmospheric features.

The hotel's interior features areas that open wide to views of the sea and woodland, creating a setting that is both direct and reflective. 

The design enables visitors to interact with the ever-changing rhythms of nature, whether it be the weather or the changing light throughout the day, by incorporating subtle transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. 

Furthermore, the glass expanses let the sounds of the wind and water easily enter the room, while the stone surfaces are made to catch rainwater.

The Yakushima project is a component of a larger project that offers a distinctive ownership and hospitality concept through a network of retreats throughout Japan. 

When an unused property is available, potential members will be able to buy it and share it as hotel accommodations. The ownership experience will be made simpler by the brand handling all operating and maintenance duties. 

In the summer of 2026, sales of the Yakushima project are expected to begin, providing a unique chance to interact with one of Japan's most breathtaking natural settings. 

On Japan's charming Yakushima Island, the project promises to revolutionize sustainable luxury and hospitality as it develops.

All images © Ateliers Jean Nouvel, courtesy of Not a Hotel.

> via Not a Hotel

Ateliers Jean Nouvel dwelling island Jean Nouvel retreat Yakushima island