NOT A HOTEL

Tokyo, Japan (November 20, 2025) — NOT A HOTEL Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shinji Hamauzu, hereinafter referred to as "NOT A HOTEL") has announced the publication of a semi-annual bilingual print and online magazine called THE NEW JAPAN to provide in-depth coverage of regional Japanese culture.

The magazine is bilingual, with text offered in both English and Japanese. The first issue on The Yaeyama Islands will go on sale in October 2025. The following issue is slated for Spring 2026. Some content will also be available on the web at https://thenewjapan.com/ as well as the Instagram handle thenewjapan-official. The magazine will be available for sale at shop.thenewjapan.com.

THE NEW JAPAN will focus on the natural beauty, unique cuisines, invaluable traditions, revered crafts, and fascinating cultural innovations happening outside of Japan’s major cities. The "new" in the title refers to new discoveries across Japan that will update and enhance perceptions about the country. The ultimate goal is to inspire readers to visit regions they have never been to before.

The magazine’s editor-in-chief is W. David Marx, the author of Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style (its Japanese edition is currently in its 10th printing) about the global impact of Japanese menswear. The art director is Ian Bennett, who recently worked on the NOMA IN KYOTO companion book. The magazine’s contributors include top writers, photographers, and illustrators based in Japan.

Shinji Hamauzu, founder and CEO of NOT A HOTEL commented: “Our mission is to ‘raise the value of Japan’ and a major part of this is showing the world all of the beauty, vitality, and incredible culture happening across the entirety of the country.”

Editor-in-chief W. David Marx notes, “Tokyo and Kyoto are incredible cultural engines for the world, but there is so much activity in the countryside that tends to be overlooked. We want to find the energy and beauty in regional Japan, collect it, and elevate it into something bigger. We’re in search of inspiring innovations, the successful preservation of tradition, and the creation of new hybrid forms that extend the past into the future.”

Debut Issue Content:
・Genki Cool: Ishigaki Island's Iconic Drink
・An Interview with architect Sou Fujimoto
・Revival of the Sabani Sailboat
・Ishigaki Island Food Guide
・Yaeyama's Last Bonito Fishing Boat
・A Visit to Dyeing Artist Akiko Ishigaki
・How Taketomi Preserved Its Traditional Architecture
・The Enduring Charm of "Churasan"
・Yonaguni Island and the New Tourism of "Anti-Tourism"
Available at: Official Online Store. Bookstores will also be available in the future.
Price: ¥4,378 ( ¥3,980 before tax)
Language: Japanese/English
Format: A4 (variant)
Page Count: 188 pages
Participating Creators (in no particular order): Ian Bennett, Tetsuo Kashiwada, Ichi Nakamura, Tatsuya Taboi, Nanoki Kinomoto, Izumi Shiokawa, Shigeo Okada, Yuuki Maeda, Naeko Shinsan, Ben Davis, Kenji Hall, Sam Holden, Matt Treyvaud

Official Website: https://thenewjapan.com/
Official Instagram: @the_new_japan
Official YouTube: @thenewjapan_magazine

The Initiative to Make Japan Even More Valuable

Under the corporate mission of "making Japan even more valuable," NOT A HOTEL has collaborated with local governments and partner companies to develop shared vacation homes designed by world-class creators and architects at 14 locations across Japan. Through the power of architecture and design, we aim to amplify the hidden charm and potential of each region and promote it on a global scale.

"Making Japan Even More Valuable" Mission Website: https://notahotel.com/mission

The launch of THE NEW JAPAN is one of NOT A HOTEL's efforts to spread the appeal of the regions it is involved in to even more people. Following the opening of NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH in July of this year, we will now use the magazine as a medium to promote the appeal of Ishigaki Island and the Yaeyama region to the world.

"NOT A HOTEL ISHIGAKI EARTH" Opening Press Release: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000059.000080389.html

Launching the custom-made travel service, THE NEW JAPAN JOURNEY

https://thenewjapan.com/journey/

As part of THE NEW JAPAN’s launch, NOT A HOTEL is also offering THE NEW JAPAN JOURNEY, a custom-made travel service that carefully weaves together travel, meals, accommodations, and activities for each group, centered around a stay at NOT A HOTEL.

The highlights of any vacation are always the unique experiences you can only have in that location. From beloved restaurants and restaurants, to discovering unique local industries and spending private time immersed in nature, THE NEW JAPAN JOURNEY offers a truly local experience you won't find in guidebooks.

Our expert planners, along with NOT A HOTEL's concierges, chefs, and service staff, will support you throughout your trip, from planning your stay to arranging travel, accommodations, meals, and activities.

THE NEW JAPAN JOURNEY is the only place non-owners can book reservations across all NOT A HOTEL locations. Flexible itineraries, including stays combining multiple locations, are possible.

About NOT A HOTEL Co., Ltd.

Company name: NOT A HOTEL Co., Ltd.
Representative: Shinji Hamauzu
Established: April 1, 2020
URL: https://notahotel.com/
X: @notahotel_inc（https://twitter.com/notahotel_inc）
Facebook: @NOTAHOTEL.official
Instagram: notahotel_official（https://www.instagram.com/notahotel_official/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NOTAHOTEL
Inquiry form:https://notahotel.com/contact
Contact: [email protected]