Six Senses Signs Slopeside Hotel at Japan's Myoko
Key points
- Six Senses signs a management deal with Patience Capital Group for a slopeside hotel and residences at Myoko Suginohara
- The project includes 57 rooms and suites plus 21 branded residences, many with private onsens
- Permitting is targeted by March 2026 with construction slated to begin in April 2026
- Design by Kengo Kuma and Kume Sekkei is inspired by the foothill landscape and terraced rice fields
- Myoko's terrain features about 90 hectares of skiing, an 8.5-kilometer run, and 1,124 meters of vertical drop
Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, has signed a hotel management agreement with Patience Capital Group to bring a slopeside hotel and residences to the base of Mount Myoko in Japan's Suginohara ski resort. The project will deliver 57 rooms and suites, plus 21 branded residences, many with private onsens. IHG says permitting is expected by March 2026 with construction scheduled to begin in April 2026. For travelers, the site's rail access from Tokyo and serious ski stats point to a compelling new hub for Japan's powder circuit.
Six Senses Myoko, Ski-In Orientation
The property is planned on the foothills of Mount Myoko, adjacent to the Suginohara ski area in Myoko Kogen, a region known for abundant natural snow and hot springs. Six Senses positions the hotel as a year-round destination anchored by wellness, community programming, and design that reflects the local landscape. Rooms and suites will be complemented by 21 branded residences that rise above the hotel, adding inventory for extended stays and family groups seeking kitchen and living space with onsen access.
Latest developments
Six Senses and IHG detail an aggressive early timeline: permitting by March 2026 and construction from April 2026. While an opening date has not been announced, the developers describe the project as part of a broader plan to rejuvenate Myoko Kogen as a four-season destination. For visitors planning future ski trips, the site's rail connectivity from Tokyo compresses transfer time and simplifies multi-resort itineraries in Nagano Prefecture.
Analysis
For destination skiers, the on-mountain orientation matters as much as brand. Suginohara delivers approximately 90 hectares of skiable terrain, one of Japan's longest continuous runs at 8.5 kilometers, and 1,124 meters of vertical, a combination that supports full-day laps without repeating short pitches. Average annual snowfall in the area is cited at 13.4 meters, which, combined with elevation and aspect, should underpin reliable mid-season conditions for groomed and off-piste skiing when local rules permit. Those figures also suggest the hotel can sustain peak-season occupancy across January and February while capturing March families seeking sunnier days.
Six Senses' wellness emphasis gives the property year-round relevance. The plan calls for a clustered spa with eight treatment rooms, hydrotherapy journeys, and bookable private onsens. Two restaurants and a bar aim to cover après and shoulder-season demand, while a boutique with tailored fittings and a nearby village hub of retail and culture provide non-ski diversions. That ecosystem supports longer average stays and cushions seasonality by giving summer and autumn travelers clear reasons to visit for hiking, waterfalls, foliage, and programming tied to local makers.
Design intent is a calling card here. Led by Kengo Kuma and Kume Sekkei, the "Golden Wind" concept references sunlight and breezes moving across terraced rice fields, a motif that can translate into warm woods, layered screens, and framed views if realized as described. In a competitive Japanese alpine market where new inventory often leans toward minimalist chalets, a recognizable architect and a branded wellness program can differentiate ADRs while attracting international travelers who already know the Six Senses standard from Europe and the Maldives.
For IHG One Rewards members, Six Senses Myoko should eventually add another earn-and-redeem option in Japan's snow belt. The company has prioritized luxury and lifestyle growth since acquiring Six Senses in 2019, and new signings like this complement its broader development pipeline. For context on IHG's expansion and loyalty footprint, see our coverage of the company crossing one million open rooms worldwide. IHG Hits One Million Hotel Rooms Worldwide
Background
Myoko Kogen sits in Niigata Prefecture near the Nagano border and can be reached from Tokyo by shinkansen toward Iiyama with a short transfer by road. Suginohara's published stats, including an 8.5-kilometer top-to-bottom run and 1,124 meters of vertical, are corroborated by local tourism sources, reinforcing the resort's reputation for long groomers and sustained fall-line skiing. Those characteristics, combined with natural hot springs and an established ski culture, help explain why international brands are investing in the broader Myoko region.
Final thoughts
Six Senses Myoko combines slope access, a marquee design team, and wellness programming in a region already respected for deep snow and long runs. If timelines hold, travelers could start planning award stays and shoulder-season escapes soon after construction advances, with ski-season demand fueled by the resort's terrain and snowfall profile. The primary keyword, Six Senses Myoko, signals what changed and why it matters to skiers and wellness travelers alike.