Sales begin for Snøhetta’s mountaintop villa in japan
NOT A HOTEL opens sales for fractional ownership of its RUSUTSU location, a 2,574-square-meter villa designed by Snøhetta at the summit of Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaidō, Japan. Scheduled to open in spring 2029, the property is the company’s largest to date, offering direct access to Rusutsu’s ski slopes alongside panoramic views of Mount Yotei, often called the Mount Fuji of Hokkaidō.
Snøhetta’s design is guided by the concept of the zenith, the highest point in the sky above a location, which here becomes an architectural metaphor and spatial strategy. The structure is built around a central courtyard, while the layout shifts between lively communal zones, private rooms, and wellness areas, including a gym, sauna, and a series of indoor and outdoor baths.
images courtesy of NOT A HOTEL and Snøhetta
not a hotel RUSUTSU unfolds across stacked volumes
The team at Snøhetta forms the villa from two slender, stacked volumes in reinforced concrete that curve gently toward Mount Yotei, echoing the surrounding mountain ranges and the triangular shape of the site. Inside, a 400-square-meter living-dining space is defined by a suspended chimney and skylights framing the sky, while a lounge above overlooks the volcanic peak. Bathing areas range from an open-air infinity pool to cave-like meditation baths carved in stone. Upstairs, a primary suite and three guest rooms each feature private bathrooms, while a dedicated ski lounge connects directly to the slopes with space for equipment storage.
Set within Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, Rusutsu Resort is located about 90 minutes from Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. Receiving an average of 14 meters of snowfall annually, the resort is recognized among Japan’s leading ski destinations, with 37 runs across three mountains. Beyond winter, the mountaintop site of NOT A HOTEL RUSUTSU is designed to embrace shifting seasonal landscapes, from green summer expanses to horizons veiled in clouds.
NOT A HOTEL opens sales for fractional ownership of its RUSUTSU location
a 2,574-square-meter villa designed by Snøhetta at the summit of Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaidō, Japan
Snøhetta’s design is guided by the concept of the zenith
the highest point in the sky above a location becomes an architectural metaphor and spatial strategy
the layout shifts between lively communal zones, private rooms, and wellness areas
bathing areas range from an open-air infinity pool to cave-like meditation baths carved in stone
a 400-square-meter living-dining space
scheduled to open in spring 2029
panoramic views of Mount Yotei, often called the Mount Fuji of Hokkaidō
beyond winter, the mountaintop site of NOT A HOTEL RUSUTSU embraces shifting seasonal landscapes
offering direct access to Rusutsu’s ski slopes
the property is the company’s largest to date
Rusutsu Resort receives an average of 14 meters of snowfall annually
the resort is recognized among Japan’s leading ski destinations
project info:
name: NOT A HOTEL RUSUTSU | @notahotel_official
architect: Snøhetta | @snohetta
location: Hokkaidō, Japan
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