AZUMI SETODA

A far-flung fishing island famed for its citrus fruits and sun-flecked waters is the setting for one of Japan’s most hotly awaited yet lowkey openings. Dreamed up by legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha, the 22-room Azumi Setoda—located on Ikuchijima in the Seto Inland Sea—is a fresh (and impeccably executed) take on traditional ryokan inns, fusing a minimalist Japanese aesthetic with community ties. The tiled roof and timber facade of the 140-year-old former residence hide an airy network of serene spaces replete with washi paper screens, traditional plaster, and light cypress wood; there’s also a lovely inner garden. The semi-communal restaurant blends local produce with Silk Road herbs and spices, while across the street, a sento bathhouse called Yubune invites guests and locals alike to soak in its steaming baths and saunas. azumi.co; doubles from US$700