Soneka
Ultra-private forest retreat with Ainu-inspired design. Modern architecture that echoes bird wings in flight, furnished with hand-selected Asahikawa woodwork. Digital detox energy without being preachy about it.
The living/dining wing and bedroom wing are in separate buildings connected by outdoor deck — pack warm slippers for nighttime trips in winter
Why It Matters
Michelin Key Selected property that opened in August 2024. Only four villas total, each with its own 100% free-flowing moor onsen — a rare spring recognized as Hokkaido Heritage in 2004. No shared facilities whatsoever. A private helipad on-site means you can fly in directly from Hokkaido airports.
Soneka is four private villas sitting on 77,000 square meters of Hokkaido forest, about 30 minutes from New Chitose Airport. Each villa is a fully self-contained residence — kitchen, fireplace, wood-fired outdoor grill, fire pit, terrace, private moor onsen, and either a thermal pool or sauna. There is no lobby, no shared spaces, no restaurant. Just your own slice of Hokkaido wilderness, with a private chef and sommelier on call.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Inkara
Inkara means 'see' in Ainu — and the views justify the name. This villa has a large horizontal silhouette slightly elevated from the ground, positioned directly in front of the meadow for panoramic views. Two bedrooms (one wide queen plus two twin beds). Notable among the four villas for having a private outdoor pool rather than a thermal pool. Also has a floating net bed suspended above the earth. Inkara and Nitai are the only two with cold plunge baths.
1 wide queen + 2 twin beds · 145 sqm
Nitai
Nitai means 'forest' in Ainu and is the only villa where both wings fold inward, with the living area facing the meadow while the bedroom faces deep into the forest. Sits deeper into the woods than the others — the quietest, most enclosed of the four. Two bedrooms (one wide queen plus two twin beds). Unique for having a swing set in the garden and a tree deck in addition to the standard wood deck. Shares the cold plunge bath feature with Inkara.
1 wide queen + 2 twin beds · 151 sqm
Nupu
Nupu means 'field' in Ainu. Same wing-shaped architecture as Wakka, but configured differently — two bedrooms with one wide queen bed and one bunk bed, making it the best option for families with children (over 12). The outdoor space is especially generous: spacious wood deck, net bed suspended above ground, thermal pool integrated with an outdoor open-air bath, plus fire pit and outdoor kitchen. Sauna and cold bath complete the picture.
1 wide queen + 1 bunk bed · 159 sqm
Wakka
Named for the Ainu word for 'water,' Wakka has a distinctive slightly-folded wing shape. Two bedrooms (one wide queen bed plus two twin beds) spread across a living wing and a bedroom wing connected by wooden decking. The standout feature is an outdoor thermal pool positioned along the open living room window — you can soak while looking straight into the interior. Outside: open-air bath, wood deck, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, sauna, and cold bath.
1 wide queen + 2 twin beds · 159 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Extremely rare experience during the 3-week spring window when white birch trees wake from winter. Guests collect birch sap (rich in minerals, micronutrients, and vitamins) from the forest 10 minutes walk from the property. Free. Late March to mid-April only, 1–6 people.
Pick herbs from the Soneka garden and use them to make herbal tea or cocktails. Free for guests. Available August through mid-October, morning or pre-dinner slots.
Complimentary telescope rental for stargazing on the property. Staff guides guests on telescope use in their room; guests can then use at their leisure at any time of night.
3-hour, 3 km private nature walk through a national park with waterfalls, streams, and country gardens. Approximately 30 minutes by car from Soneka. May–October. From ¥9,900/person (4 participants) to ¥33,000/person (solo). Includes guide, transport, rain gear, and accident insurance.
2-hour guided e-bike tour through the Wattsu area, stopping at a local bakery, glass workshop, shrine, and farm. 8 km circuit. Available May–October, Fridays–Sundays. From ¥13,200/person (for 4 people) to ¥36,300/person (solo). Includes guide, rental cycle, and coffee.
Silent electric motorbike rides through Soneka's forests and grasslands and surrounding Wattsu routes. No driver's license required. Available May through November. Rental duration 30–120 minutes. Includes safety training and helmet rental.
Guided lesson at Kitahiroshima Horse Riding Club, 25 minutes by car from Soneka. 40-minute ride from ¥7,700. Year-round except Mondays and year-end/New Year holidays. For riders aged 9+, minimum height 140 cm, maximum weight 90 kg.
Moored hot air balloon ride (tethered with rope) over the Soneka property. About 5 minutes in the sky with panoramic Hokkaido views. Up to 4 people. Available early August through mid-November, weather permitting.
Hokkaido's first floating tent campsite, set in the forest on the Soneka property. Separate from the villa stay — a unique immersive camping experience in the tree canopy.
Breakfast in Soneka's 3,000 sqm private meadow with 360-degree mountain views. One group per day. Terrace usage fee ¥60,500, plus ¥8,470/adult and ¥4,235/child for the breakfast itself. Available late April to late October.
Customized private fireworks show on the Soneka property — about 200 fireworks over approximately 5 minutes. Available year-round for birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, and family milestones. Timing and content can be tailored. Summer hours 7–9pm, winter hours 6–9pm. Must book at least one month in advance.
Snowshoe walk on the Soneka property. Easy enough for beginners. Helmets and gloves provided free. January through March, weather permitting. Free for guests; optional guide available at ¥15,000.
Race through a ~10 km course at around 30 km/h through a snow-covered landscape at Snow World Wattu, 3 minutes by car from Soneka. Available December 15 through mid-March. From ¥13,000 per person, ¥18,000 for 2 people.
Audio-guided meditation in Japanese, English, and Chinese. Two 10-minute programs — morning and evening. Guests access via QR code and can practice anywhere on the property: waterside terrace, grassland terrace, garden stage, or cottage deck.
Wood-burning tent sauna at 70-90°C, available year-round at all villas, 24 hours. Capacity 1-2 guests. Includes towels, water, and sauna mat. Staff guides first-time users. Löyly available. Cold plunge bath available at Inkara and Nitai.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Includes shampoo, conditioner, body soap, skin lotion, milky lotion, cleanser, beauty serum, facial cleansing foam, facial masks, bamboo toothbrush, razor, cotton set, hairbrush, earplugs, eye masks, slippers.
Permanent outdoor kitchen with wood-fired grill at every villa terrace.
Seasonal vegetables grown on the Soneka property, used in chef-prepared meals.
Available at Inkara, Nupu villas. Suspended net bed in the outdoor garden area.
Full kitchen with microwave, toaster, electric kettle, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Guests may bring in or cook their own food.
On-site helipad enables direct arrivals from Hokkaido airports within 15–60 minutes. Helicopter arrangements available by email.
Free round-trip shuttle from New Chitose Airport. Must be reserved at least one month in advance.
100% free-flowing moor hot spring, Hokkaido Heritage-designated, 40-42°C. Private to each villa.
BUILD YOUR SONEKA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning