Aman’s founder shows he’s still got it at 93, with his new farm stay hotel in Japan. Adrian Zecha’s latest project trades infinity pools for open pastures – but don’t let that fool you. This may be his most luxurious project yet. Welcome to Azuma Farm Koiwai.
Who is Adrian Zecha?
Adrian Zecha may not be the name said at the table, but he is very much the reason that table exists (with a curated drink in hand and a captivating ambiance).
You will know the world-renowned hotelier for Aman Resorts and Azerai, which brought Asia into the light of luxury destinations. Zecha has created resorts that immerse you in culture through meditative luxury, turning where you sleep and dream into the experience itself.
Adrian Zecha is once again proving that age is “just a number” when it comes to following passion. At 93, the award-winning hotelier is opening his latest creation this spring of 2026.
Adrian Zecha’s Latest Act
Azuma Farm Koiwai sits on a corner of an eight-hectare pasture in Iwate. It lies two hours north of Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen. Azumi Japan partnered with East Japan Railway Company to create the development, and the project transforms once-barren land covered in volcanic ash. Now, it celebrates the highest luxury within Japan’s countryside culture.
This is where it gets interesting.
This is not your performative rustic. Here, quiet nature meets high-end comfort without drowning out the land’s essence. The property features twenty-four secluded villas across two styles, all modeled after traditional Ryokans, with minimalist features developed by Kyoto-based designer Shiro Miura. Not to mention, they let nature speak for itself. These buildings are crafted from timber grown throughout Iwate, bringing coexistence into active practice.
The back-to-basics architecture cultivates modern elegance through Japanese craftsmanship. Zecha drew inspiration from ryokans he experienced in the 1950s. He carries that spirit into intimate settings and community-rooted hospitality.
Life On The Farm
You’ll find activities that welcome you into the unique, unspoken yet rhapsodized Japan. Think horseback riding, wasabi harvesting, and iron craftsmanship — all encouraging you to expand your list of hobbies.
The cuisine grows locally and honors what a farmer would serve guests, with seasonal menus.
Three private pavilions feature wood-fired saunas, cold baths, and relaxation chairs surrounding a fireplace. It’s the setting you needed to observe the surrounding peace and to quiet an overactive mind.
The Essence
This haven envelops you in the lush forests of Japan and culminates in a structure that reverently recognizes Japanese tradition.
Adrian Zecha is once again giving us added reasons to visit Japan. Not by building a place to stay, but by another way to experience life authentically.
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FAQs
Q: Where can I find Azuma Farm Koiwai?
A: You’ll find Azuma Farm Koiwai in Iwate, about two hours north of Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen. The property spans an eight-hectare pasture.
Q: What can I do at Azuma Farm Koiwai?
A: Guests ride horses, harvest wasabi, and explore iron craftsmanship. Three private pavilions offer saunas, cold baths, and fireplace lounges.
Q: Who created Azuma Farm Koiwai?
A: Legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha created Azuma Farm Koiwai. He founded Aman Resorts and Azerai, and continues shaping immersive luxury rooted in local culture.
