Japan’s farm stay scene has a notable new arrival this spring. Azuma Farm Koiwai opens on 23 April 2026 in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, introducing a resort built around immersive agricultural experiences in one of northern Japan’s most historically layered rural regions. The property sits within the Koiwai area, where the surrounding farmland has been cultivated for more than 130 years, at the foot of Mount Iwate.
The concept behind Azuma Farm Koiwai centres on what the brand describes as regenerative travel, connecting guests directly with the land, its seasonal rhythms, and the traditional industries that have shaped life in Iwate across generations. Rather than framing nature as a backdrop, the resort is designed so that the landscape itself forms the basis of each stay, from the soil and forests to the fire and wind of the surrounding mountains.
Azuma Farm is a collaboration between Azumi Japan and JR East, with the brand’s creative direction led by Adrian Zecha, the Indonesian hotelier who founded Aman Resorts in 1988 and spent subsequent decades shaping the course of luxury hospitality across Asia. In 2020, Zecha launched Azumi, a ryokan-inspired brand developed alongside Naru Developments, with its debut property, Azumi Setoda, opening on the island of Ikuchijima in the Seto Inland Sea in 2021. Azuma Farm extends that same philosophy of place-rooted luxury into the mountain landscapes of northern Japan, with Azuma Farm Koiwai as its first destination.
Craft traditions and the Nanbu ironware legacy
One of Azuma Farm Koiwai’s most distinctive offerings is its Nanbu Tekki craft tour, which grants guests access to Koizumi Nizaemon, an 11th-generation master kettle smith whose workshop traces its origins to 1659. Nanbu ironware has been produced in Iwate since the Edo period, developing in close connection with Japan’s tea ceremony culture, and this experience goes well beyond observation. Guests can handle the iron, learn the history of the casting tradition, and commission a custom-marked iron kettle, a process that takes two to three months to complete.
The resort also draws on Iwate’s long history as one of Japan’s premier horse-breeding regions. An equine heritage experience takes guests on horseback through the Ainosawa pastures near Koiwai Farm, with Mount Iwate in view, connecting riders with a tradition that has defined the area for centuries. Those with an interest in lacquerware can join dedicated tours into the world of Joboji Urushi, the same craft used in the restoration of some of Japan’s most sacred temples and shrines.
Excursions beyond Azuma Farm Koiwai
The property serves as a base for exploring the wider Iwate region through a series of guided excursions. A historical walk through Morioka takes in atmospheric temple districts and traditional townhouses, where community wells are still maintained by local residents. In Tono, a rural town long associated with Japanese folklore, guests can harvest fresh wasabi from spring water and try Jingisukan, a grilled lamb dish closely tied to the local food culture.
Along the Sanriku coastline, a full-day excursion covers 500 million years of geological history across rugged cliffs and fishing villages, with fishing boat cruises and seafood feasts forming part of the day. For those drawn to natural phenomena, the Hachimantai Nature Tour provides access to the Dragon Eye, a snowmelt spectacle that forms each spring in the volcanic landscape, alongside geothermal dyeing workshops and farm-to-table dining at local restaurants.
Rooms, dining, and the rhythms of the farm
Guest rooms at Azuma Farm Koiwai are designed in harmony with the surrounding forest, with materials and details drawn from the region. The dining programme focuses on seasonal produce sourced from Iwate’s mountains, farms and coastline, placing the circular food traditions of the local community at its centre. An on-site sauna is also available, and the overall pace of the property is shaped around the kind of unhurried, land-connected travel that the Koiwai landscape lends itself to.
Quick Summary – Azuma Farm Koiwai
- 📍 Location: Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
- ✨ Experience type: Regenerative farm stay resort
- 🔑 Unique selling point: 130+ years of local agricultural heritage, traditional craft tours and immersive regional excursions
- 📅 Opening: 23 April 2026
- 👤 Ideal for: Nature lovers, cultural travellers and those seeking a slower, more rooted pace of travel
