The GOTO Retreat Ray is a tiny luxury hotel designed as a symbol of continuous attempts to broaden the attraction of Goto City in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, and reinvigorate the Abunze Coast area to the south of the city to revitalize the Goto region. The location is in Saikai National Park. The Goto Islands, known historically as a port of call for Japanese missions to Tang China (618-907), as well as a place of faith for hidden Christians seeking refuge from the mainland, have fostered a distinct culture that encompasses their role as a cross-cultural exchange hub with the continent.
© Nacasa & Partners, TAISEI DESIGN Planners Architects & Engineers
The Goto Islands were recognized as the Goto Island (Shimo Goto region) Geopark on January 28, 2022, in honor of their efforts to protect and exploit their geological heritage. This hotel has a panoramic view of the extinct volcano Mt. Onidake and is close to the Abunze Visitor Center, a significant Geopark institution. As a result, local officials and locals have high hopes for the hotel’s contribution to regional regeneration. © Nacasa & Partners, TAISEI DESIGN Planners Architects & Engineers
GOTO Retreat Ray’s Design Concept
Mt. Onidake, a symbolic feature of the islands, and the Abunze Coast, which are covered with lava originating from many thousands of years ago when the mountain was an active volcano, are not only important landscapes that are familiar parts of residents’ daily lives...