Azuma Farm Koiwai has opened in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, offering guests a luxury countryside retreat shaped by farming heritage, regional cuisine and immersive nature experiences.

Azuma Farm Koiwai has officially opened in the foothills of Mount Iwate in northern Japan, marking the debut property from the new Azuma Farm hospitality brand.

Developed through a partnership between Azumi Japan and East Japan Railway Company (JR East), the boutique retreat is located within the historic grounds of Koiwai Farm in Iwate Prefecture. The farm has more than 130 years of agricultural history and includes 21 buildings designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

The property has been designed as an immersive countryside escape that introduces travellers to the landscapes, traditions and craftsmanship of the Tohoku region.

Koiwai Farm takes its name from the founders Inoue Masaru, Ono Yoshimasa and Iwasaki Yanosuke, combining elements of each surname. The farm remains one of Japan’s best-known agricultural estates and continues to preserve its forests and historic architecture.

Azuma Farm Koiwai was designed by Kyoto-based architect Shiro Miura, founder of architectural practice Rokukaku-ya. Inspired by the farm’s traditional cowsheds, the retreat reinterprets agricultural structures through a contemporary lens using natural materials sourced locally from the surrounding land.

Around 100-year-old cypress and red pine grown on the estate have been incorporated throughout the architecture, while recessed rooflines reference the truss structures of the original farm buildings.

The retreat features 24 villas divided into two accommodation categories. The 707 sqft Forest Villas include twin beds, lounge areas and interiors centred around chestnut wood pillars sourced from Iwate. The larger 941 sqft Garden Villas offer wooden decks, additional privacy and views towards Mount Iwate.

Dining is overseen by chef Yoshitaka Oyama, whose menus combine French culinary techniques with seasonal ingredients sourced from the Tohoku region. Dinner is served as a multi-course experience, with guests choosing appetisers from a roaming tableside wagon before individually plated mains are presented.

Guests staying for two nights or longer can also dine at Okibi, a smaller restaurant built around a charcoal grill and communal U-shaped counter inspired by regional Japanese cooking traditions.

The wellness programme includes three private bathing pavilions known as Forest Springs, while a natural hot spring is expected to open later this year.

Experiences available to guests include cycling tours, horseback riding through Koiwai Farm and excursions to nearby towns such as Ninohe, where travellers can learn about lacquerware production and sake making.

Rates for Forest Villas start from US$1,240 for one guest and US$1,478 for two guests. Garden Villas start from US$1,447 for one guest and US$1,685 for two guests. All stays include breakfast and dinner.

The launch reflects growing interest in slow travel and rural hospitality experiences that connect guests more deeply with local culture, agriculture and nature. Across Japan, luxury hospitality brands are increasingly investing in lesser-visited regions as travellers seek alternatives to major urban destinations.