Yamafushi Co., Ltd. / Nihon Kusaki Kenkyujo (CEO: Tomoka Furuya) is co-producing "Aso Retreat HONO by Onko Chishin," set to open in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture after approximately three years of development, in partnership with Onko Chishin Co., Ltd. (CEO: Tomoki Matsuyama), which develops destination hotels nationwide. The hotel is scheduled to open in November 2026. Nihon Kusaki Kenkyujo is a brand and activity group that researches experiences where human physicality and senses are restored in nature, through activities such as entering forests across Japan, collecting plants, and utilizing them in food and beverages. Leveraging this expertise into a long-term hotel stay experience, they will collaborate with Onko Chishin to develop the entire hotel's business model, from concept and experience design to supervision of the gardens and surrounding hills, and the restaurant's culinary offerings, under the theme of "Luxury that Connects You to Nature Deliciously and Enjoyably." ■ About Aso Retreat HONO by Onko Chishin Located in Aso, home to one of the world's largest calderas, this retreat hotel proposes a stay that "confronts the roots of nature" rather than simply "enjoying nature." The concept is "Dialogue of Fire and Earth, Promise Between Land and People." Walking through fields, picking plants, making fires, and immersing oneself in hot springs. The core of the stay is the fundamental human activities that have been repeated since ancient times, offering a time to quietly return to the physical senses and five senses that people originally possessed. The facility name "HONO" is derived from "Hono" (仄), which refers to the trace of fire remaining in the lives of people who have lived with fire. ■ About the Experience This facility will offer the "ASO FORAGING EXPERIENCE," a stay experience that allows guests to enjoy Aso's nature with all five senses. (Note: FORAGING means "harvesting" in English and is gaining attention in the context of local luxu