New Properties to Open in Okinawa and Matsushima in Summer 2026: Granvista Takes on a New Role for Hotels

The history of Granvista Hotels & Resorts dates back to 1958, when Hokkaido Real Estate Co., Ltd. was established to promote tourism development in Hokkaido. Today, Granvista operates a diverse portfolio of hotels, leisure facilities, and highway restaurants across Japan.

Two new properties will be joining the portfolio: the condominium hotel BLISSTIA SUITES & RESORT OKINAWA ONNASON, opening in July 2026 (Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture), and the slow luxury hotel YOKI MATSUSHIMA, opening in August 2026 (Matsushima Town, Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture).

At the presentation, President and CEO Yukio Arai described the company’s history as “a history of trust built with local communities.” Through its business operations, Granvista has consistently upheld the principles of “coexistence between nature and people” and “thriving together with the community.”

He emphasized that the facilities operated by Granvista should serve as a kind of “media” that uncovers the latent appeal of each region, such as its history and culinary traditions, and redefines that value for modern guests. At the core of its future strategy is deeper community synergy: stepping into local communities and walking alongside them. The two properties opening in summer 2026, he explained, will serve as places where traditional performing arts and craft cultures passed down in each region can be carried forward to the next generation through the guest experience.

“At the foundation of Granvista lies a philosophy of intentionally going the extra mile. Precisely because we live in an age that prioritizes efficiency, we believe that taking the time to add thoughtful, personal touches beyond the manual creates the power to connect communities, guests, and society.”

He concluded, “Our passion for the communities we serve is the driving force behind the future we envision. We will continue challenging ourselves to create new value.”

The concept of BLISSTIA SUITES & RESORT OKINAWA ONNASONis “BLISSTIA hospitality that engages the five senses.”

Guests will be welcomed by an original aroma that envelops the property. The spacious guest rooms—spanning over 50 square meters in the signature style of a condominium hotel—feature a lanai (a Hawaiian term for a large balcony or terrace), where guests can feel the sea breeze, hear the rustling of trees, and listen to birdsong—immersing themselves fully in Okinawa’s natural environment.

A defining feature of the hotel is its “Land Relations” initiative, which delivers experiences unique to the area through the cooperation of not only hotel staff but also local residents and businesses.

A dedicated “Land Relations Team, ” composed of hotel staff, works together with “Land Relations Supporters” from the surrounding community to uncover local charms and incorporate them into enriching guest experiences that can be enjoyed both inside and outside the hotel through all five senses.

“By engaging with the region not simply as tourists, but from the perspective of everyday life, guests can discover Okinawa’s deeper charms and awaken their senses to a new kind of journey through Okinawa,” said Sueoka, General Manager of the Corporate Planning Office.

Akira Tamada, a ceramic artist who runs Seifu-gama in Onna Village and is one of the “Land Relations Supporters,” also attended the event. Having resonated with the hotel’s concept, Tamada commented, “Beyond the beauty of Okinawa’s natural seas, I hope guests will also experience the region’s history and culture such as traditional crafts and music.”
His works will be displayed throughout the hotel, and plans are underway to offer pottery workshops using red clay excavated during the hotel’s construction.

Located near Matsushima—one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views—YOKI MATSUSHIMA is a slow luxury hotel offering 26 guest rooms, each equipped with a private bath, either open-air or semi-open-air, featuring Matsushima Onsen, known as “Bijin-no-Yu” (the Hot Spring of Beauty).

The hotel’s concept is “Soak in the Beautiful Time in MATSUSHIMA.” Guests are invited to surrender to the gentle flow of time unique to Matsushima, to be nourished by the blessings of the land, and to experience a form of slow luxury that offers both healing and intellectual enrichment in harmony with the region.

To realize this vision, the hotel is promoting an initiative called “Local Focus” (community collaboration).
“As a hotel that functions like a media platform, we aim not only to showcase the charms of Matsushima on-site, but also to connect Matsushima with the broader region through experiences, cuisine, and spatial design—sharing its appeal in every direction,” explained Sueoka.

In advancing “Local Focus,” Granvista is also addressing regional challenges related to tourism resources.

“We are promoting transformation of oyster shells into new tourism assets by upcycling them into items such as coasters and incorporating them into the plaster used for the hotel’s walls,” Sueoka said.

Ceramic artist Eiji Kameyama, who runs Minowada-gama in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, and collaborates on pottery using oyster shells, also attended the event.

“I hope to offer items that help guests imagine their experiences in Matsushima—and keep those feelings alive even after returning to daily life,” Kameyama shared.
Tableware glazed with oyster shell ash—collected with the participation of hotel staff—will be introduced in the hotel’s bar lounge.

Although the two properties opening in summer 2026 adopt different styles—a condominium hotel in Onna Village, Okinawa, and a slow luxury hotel in Matsushima Town, Miyagi—both are designed as the optimal formats for fully showcasing the unique appeal of their respective regions.

Flowing at the core of both projects is Granvista Hotels & Resorts’ brand statement: “Local Values Shaping the Global Future.”

“By sharpening the frontier spirit that forms Granvista’s DNA—cultivated since our founding in Hokkaido—and combining it with the value of each region, we aim to create truly one-of-a-kind experiences.”

Granvista will continue its journey of innovation so that its condominium and slow luxury hotel series can serve as models of community synergy, harmonizing with the culture and people of each destination.

The opening of BLISSTIA SUITES & RESORT OKINAWA ONNASON is scheduled for July 15, 2026, and YOKI MATSUSHIMA for August 2026. Reservations are now being accepted for both properties.

Stay tuned for Granvista’s latest challenge—creating unique experiences together with local communities.