A Snøhetta Villa for the Summit of Rusutsu, Facing Mount Yotei
NOT A HOTEL RUSUTSU is a single four-bedroom house by Snøhetta on the summit of Rusutsu Resort's West Mountain in Hokkaido, Japan, facing Mount Yotei. It is being sold as 12 shares of 30 nights a year at ¥1,185,013,500 each, including tax, and NOTA, the Japanese company behind NOT A HOTEL, plans owner use from April 1, 2029.
Snøhetta was founded in Norway in 1989. Its best-known buildings include the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo and the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in New York.
Two curved volumes and a courtyard
Snøhetta's concept starts from the zenith, which the firm defines as "the highest imaginary point above a specific location on the celestial sphere." The house is two linear volumes set perpendicular, one above the other, each curving to dip at its center, a form taken from the mountain terrain and the sharp edges of the site. The lower volume sits partly underground. Above it, the living room and a central courtyard extend into the kitchen, dining area and outdoor bath, and the bedrooms and study are lifted clear of the ground. Locally sourced stone and wood sit against large areas of glass, and the house sleeps eight.
In the living room, seating gathers around an open fire beneath a tall chimney.
Above the dining area, an upper-level seat looks out over the landscape and is meant for reading.
The baths
An infinity bath filled with natural hot spring water faces the open landscape and is usable in every season. On the lower floor, an active bath with sauna, cold-water bath and outdoor cooling space is lined in volcanic rock, and a meditation bath is kept to minimal light, meant to feel like bathing in a cave.
How ownership works
Nine of the 12 shares are offered in the first phase of sales, which opened on August 25, 2025, and each carries a management fee of ¥1,278,930 a month, including tax. Owners reserve their nights up to 12 months ahead, and when they are not using the house, NOT A HOTEL MANAGEMENT runs it as a hotel.
Skiing out
A ski lounge opens directly onto the slopes, with a fireplace and an adjoining closet of lockers for skis.
Rusutsu is about 90 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo, and the house has its own helipad, 25 minutes by helicopter from the New Chitose Airport heliport.
