Nestled in the lush nature of Sengokuhara, Hakone, at an elevation of approximately 600–660 meters, the forest resort hotel "Hakone Retreat före & villa 1/f" (located in Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture) offers guests a serene escape into nature, providing a tranquil retreat from daily life.

In recent years, amid rising summer temperatures and evolving lifestyles, interest in wellness-focused travel—where guests restore mental and physical well-being during their stay—has grown significantly. Sengokuhara in Hakone, known for its relatively cool climate even in summer, has long been cherished as a summer resort. Today, it is gaining renewed attention as a destination for rejuvenation in nature. The crisp air, deep forest silence, rustling leaves, and birdsong gently release the body and mind from the heat and information overload of urban life.

The hotel runs the "Creator Ambassador Program," collaborating with creators to expand the possibilities of guest experiences. This initiative marks the seventh installment: a stay-based wellness program titled "Pilates Retreat Aligned with Forest and Breath," designed to harmonize mind and body with nature.

This program will feature Pilates sessions in the morning and evening, each with a distinct theme, set within the natural environment of Hakone’s forest. By mindfully focusing on posture, alignment, and breath, the sessions aim to gently release daily stress and physical tension, offering guests a quiet space for introspection.

Drawing on anatomically informed Pilates techniques, the program emphasizes spinal movement and breath—both deeply connected to the autonomic nervous system—to restore internal balance. In the morning, participants will awaken their bodies with comfort, embracing the soft sunlight filtering through the trees, the fresh air, and the birds’ melodies. In the evening, enveloped by the quiet forest air and gentle night breeze, they will unwind from the day’s tension and transition into deep rest.

Experiencing the rich natural power of Hakone while quietly reconnecting with oneself—this is the new form of wellness stay proposed by Hakone Retreat. The goal is for guests to carry this experience back into daily life, transforming their stay into a restorative journey for mind and body.

Creator Ambassador

Pilates Instructor

AKANE

Instagram: @akanepilates_

Leading this initiative is AKANE, a Pilates instructor whose mission is to enrich life through movement. After working in the beauty industry, she transitioned into wellness following personal physical and mental challenges. Today, she teaches with a philosophy centered on harmony with nature, offering studio classes as well as corporate programs, community initiatives, and retreat planning. Guided by the belief that "we must remember we are part of nature," she connects the natural environment of Hakone with the body’s innate functions, helping individuals rediscover their natural physical and mental rhythms.

【Event Overview】

Event Name: Pilates Retreat Aligned with Forest and Breath

Dates: September 8 (Tue) – 9 (Wed), 2026

Time: Sept 8: 8:00 PM – / Sept 9: 6:30 AM –

Target: Overnight guests only

Content: Morning session to awaken the body in the forest’s fresh air; evening session to release daily tension in the quiet forest. A stay-based wellness program aligned with nature’s rhythm.

About the Creator Ambassador Program

The program aims to create new value through stays and experiences by collaborating with creators across diverse fields such as music, art, craft, workshops, film, and photography. In the first phase of 2026, 23 collaborating creators have been selected to express the hotel’s unique atmosphere and time through their individual perspectives and worldviews. Respecting creators’ free expression, the program fosters open experiences and interactions for guests. Moving forward, it will continue to connect the charm of Hakone with creative potential.

About Hakone Retreat före & villa 1/f

Surrounded by the rich natural landscape of the Hakone mountain range and Sengokuhara, "Hakone Retreat före & villa 1/f" offers a special relaxation space where guests are healed by nature’s seasonal changes. The resort consists of 37 rooms in the modern "före" hotel and 18 standalone cottages in "villa 1/f." In August 2024, seven additional villa units were completed. Facilities include "WOODSIDE dining" for fire-cooked cuisine, "Hyōseki," a Japanese kaiseki restaurant, "cafe & lounge," "ONSEN f" hot spring, and "könoha spa." At "free bird & terrace," guests can relax surrounded by seasonal plants, shifting light, sky colors, and the scent of the wind, enjoying inclusive drinks and seasonal welcome services. Blending Nordic resort aesthetics with Japanese nature, the resort delivers moments of pure bliss.

- Website: https://www.hakone-retreat.com

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakone.retreat/

About Oriental Hotels & Resorts

Oriental Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain brand operated by Hotel Management Japan Co., Ltd. Aiming to provide "unique guest experiences" and transform hotels into "destinations that engage the surrounding area," it operates 18 hotels across Japan (total 4,837 rooms), including "Oriental Hotel" and "Hotel Oriental Express." Its exclusive membership program, "CLUB ORIENTAL," offers attractive benefits and member-only plans with no enrollment or annual fees.

- Website: https://www.oriental-hotels.com

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070068335069

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oriental_hotelsandresorts

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@orientalhotelsandresorts

- X: https://twitter.com/Oriental_HR

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@orientalhotelsandresorts

- CLUB ORIENTAL: https://www.oriental-hotels.com/club-oriental/

About Hotel Management Japan Co., Ltd.

Hotel Management Japan Co., Ltd. is a hotel management company operating 27 hotels in Japan (total 9,051 rooms). The group employs 4,018 staff across its properties. In addition to its proprietary brands "Oriental Hotel" and "Hotel Oriental Express," it manages international brands such as "Sheraton," "Hyatt," "Hilton," and "Hotel Nikko

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event