Etajima-so, a hot spring inn overlooking the Seto Inland Sea in Etajima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, has been selected for the “MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection 2025”, announced simultaneously worldwide on October 8, 2025.
Although the inn did not receive a “Michelin Key” this year, this recognition follows its remarkable achievement in 2024, when it was the only hotel in Japan to win the highest award at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2024. The latest honor once again demonstrates the inn’s outstanding reputation both domestically and internationally.
Culinary Excellence Elevated Under New Head Chef Dai Kurachi
In the spring of 2025, Etajima-so welcomed Chef Dai Kurachi as its new head chef, marking a new chapter in its culinary journey.
Chef Kurachi honed his skills at Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and went on to serve as executive chef and owner-chef at prestigious hotels and restaurants across Japan. The hotel’s inclusion in the Michelin Guide is believed to reflect not only the high overall evaluation of its rooms, services, and guest experience but also the strong praise for Chef Kurachi’s innovative culinary expression.
About the “MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection”
The MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection is a globally recognized guide that evaluates the quality of the overall stay experience. Only properties meeting the following five criteria are selected:
The property itself offers a special experience unique to its location and serves as a destination in its own right.
It features outstanding architecture and interior design.
It maintains high standards of service, comfort, and facility management.
It provides a high level of satisfaction relative to its price.
It reflects the individuality and distinctive character of the property.
Etajima-so: A Globally Acclaimed Hot Spring Inn
Opened in July 2021, Etajima-so is a small-scale hot spring inn with 32 guest rooms, nestled along the tranquil seashore of Etajima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. In just a few short years, the inn has earned a series of international accolades. In 2024, it became Japan’s sole recipient of the top honor at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, and in June 2025, it became the first property in Hiroshima Prefecture to join the Association to Preserve Japan’s Hidden Hot Springs (Nihon Hitou wo Mamoru Kai).
With its natural free-flowing hot springs, serene ocean-view spaces, and seasonal island-inspired cuisine, Etajima-so offers guests a heartwarming experience that feels like “another home away from home.”
The Vision of General Manager Naoki Abe
General Manager Naoki Abe, born in 1990 in Akita Prefecture, began his career after graduating from the Japan Hotel School. He first joined the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort, then went on to contribute to hotel revitalization projects in Japan and the opening of the Hyatt Regency Yokohama, before taking up his post at Etajima-so in 2020.
Guided by the philosophy that “the happiness of our guests begins with the happiness of our staff,” Abe has dedicated himself to creating local employment opportunities and nurturing young talent. As a board member of the Etajima City Tourism Association, he also plays an active role in promoting regional tourism. His goal is to make Etajima-so a place where every visitor falls in love with Etajima—and always wants to return.
