Risonare Shimonoseki, a hotel built around the concept of a "designer hotel on the strait," will hold its first "Kaikyo Christmas" (海峡クリスマス), themed on the Kanmon Strait that spreads out in front of the hotel, from December 1 to 25, 2026. Naminami Terrace (なみなみテラス) is lit with emerald green illumination inspired by the color of the strait's water, and from the terrace guests can watch a projection-mapped Christmas tree about 30 meters tall on the guest-room building. Live instrumental music, hot wine scented with citrus, and views of the strait at night round out a Christmas that is specific to this location.
Background
The Kanmon Strait, where the resort stands, sees roughly 500 to 1,000 ships of all sizes pass through every day, and at night the lights of the opposite shore and the illuminated Kanmon Bridge glitter across the water. The hotel planned this event to pair the scenery of this waterfront with Christmas and offer a special evening stay that can only be enjoyed here.
Highlight 1: A Projection-Mapped Christmas Tree About 30 Meters Tall Over Emerald Green Illumination
During the event, Naminami Terrace, which faces the Kanmon Strait, is decorated with emerald green illumination inspired by the color of the strait's water. On the guest-room building, a Christmas tree about 30 meters tall is projected by projection mapping. Guests can enjoy this Christmas-only, strait-themed projection mapping while looking out over the night view and the ships passing by.
Highlight 2: Hot Wine Scented With Citrus
Yamaguchi Prefecture is known for growing citrus such as Unshu mandarin oranges and natsumikan (summer oranges). In keeping with this, Books&Cafe serves an original Christmas-only hot wine scented with citrus. The drink carries the fragrance of fresh citrus and spices, and guests can warm up with a cup while taking in the sparkling night view of the Kanmon Strait and the illumination.
Highlight 3: The "Christmas Concert" (クリスマス演奏会) With Live Music
A Christmas concert with live music is held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the event period, as well as on December 24 and 25. Christmas songs played on instruments such as the violin, saxophone, and cello carry on the night breeze of the strait and blend into the night view of the Kanmon Strait.
- Dates: December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 20, 24, and 25
- Times: 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM (20 minutes per performance)
Highlight 4: Christmas-Only Activities for Families
The hotel offers Christmas-only activities so that families can make memories together.
Christmas Photo Rally (クリスマスフォトラリー)
Guests receive a card at check-in with hints for finding Christmas decorations scattered throughout the hotel. After taking photos with all of the decorations and showing them to a staff member, guests receive a present.
- Hours: 24 hours (according to the business hours of each location)
- Location: Throughout the hotel
- Price: Free
Kids Patissier (キッズパティシエ)
At the buffet dining restaurant "PUKU PUKU," children wear a Santa hat and make an original parfait styled after a Christmas tree.
- Hours: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Location: Buffet dining restaurant "PUKU PUKU"
- Price: Free (for guests who have made a dinner reservation at "PUKU PUKU")
Sea Christmas Craft (海のクリスマスクラフト)
Guests can freely combine sea-related items such as sea glass and shells to make an original Christmas tree, one of a kind.
- Hours: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (registration closes at 5:30 PM)
- Location: Near the activity counter
- Price: ¥2,000 (tax included)
"Kaikyo Christmas" Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | December 1 to 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (hot wine served from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM) |
| Location | Naminami Terrace (hot wine served at Books&Cafe) |
| Price | Free to participate |
| Eligibility | Hotel guests |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Notes | Content may change or be partially canceled depending on supply conditions and the weather. |
Named One of TIME's World's Greatest Places of 2026
On March 12, 2026, Risonare Shimonoseki was selected for "The World's Greatest Places of 2026," announced by the US-born TIME magazine. It is the first time a Hoshino Resorts property has been selected on its own in the "Places to Stay" category. The selection cited the hotel's space design themed on fugu (pufferfish), which is rarely eaten overseas, its wide variety of activities for enjoying the strait to the fullest, and its efforts to appeal to adults as well as children.
About Risonare Shimonoseki
Facing the Kanmon Strait, this resort hotel has strait views from every room. Through design and cuisine that reflect the area's nature and culture, and activities that make use of the waterfront location, guests can immerse themselves in the charm of the area and enjoy the strait to the fullest.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-1 Arukaporto, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi |
| Phone | 050-3134-8093 (Risonare Reservation Center) |
| Rooms | 187 (check-in 3:00 PM, check-out 12:00 PM) |
| Rate | From ¥21,000 per night (per person, based on 2 guests per room, tax included, meals not included) |
| Access | About 5 minutes by car or bus from JR Shimonoseki Station; about 90 minutes by train from Fukuoka Airport |
| Website | https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonareshimonoseki/ |
