A Legacy of Soil and Water

Né stands on the Shibata mountainside in Niigata Prefecture, in the former Kawahigashi village. This is an area whose settlement and development owes itself to the Honma family, who historically governed it for generations, building prosperity through irrigation development that expanded the possibilities for agriculture. It is this deep, historic ecological relationship with the land and its waters that forms the philosophical foundation of Né as an auberge.

*Pickup and dropoff service is available at Niigata Station, Shibata Station, and Niigata Airport.

Cutting Edge Architectural Rooted in the Traditions of Shibata

Né’s structure, completed in October 2025, was built of Niigata-sourced wood and earth, without the use of concrete. Instead, one hundred and five exposed timber piles are driven up to ten meters into the earth to support a wooden foundation that seems to visually float above the soil, with a gap along the natural groundline that creates the impression of a gorgeous traditional structure suspended over farmland.

The exterior pillars form a trapezoidal structure inspired by the ridges and furrows of the local rice fields. Earthen walls have been finished with soil taken from the property, turning the land itself into architecture. Local artisans contributed traditional techniques to this development – from plasterers to tatami makers to tile specialists – connecting long-standing regional crafts to a cutting-edge new vision.

A Stay with a Sense of Place

Privacy, Intimacy, and the Luxury of Linking with the Locale and Landscape

As an auberge welcoming only one group per day, Né cultivates a private, intimate stay experience built around immersion in the locale and landscape. Wood construction and earthen plaster walls made from soil sourced directly on-site fill the interior with a comforting warmth. From the tatami to the tilework, numerous architectural details crafted by Niigata artisans add subtle touches of local luxury great and small. After checking in, guests can fully discover these details – and the vibrant local culture behind them – through a guided architectural tour of the facility.

A Rebirth through “Regenerative Locality”

“Regenerative locality” is a foundational principle of Né as an institution, and as you sit down to breakfast in the morning you’re apt to feel reborn yourself. Appropriately so: the auberge’s name Né is in fact a play on words – from “ne” (根), meaning “root” in Japanese and né (the past tense verb “born” in French).

Included in this stay, guests may also choose to spend some time in the “sui” sauna facility, located on-site and available upon request.

Moments at the Table

“Regenerative Locality” Expressed in Thirteen Delicious Dinner Courses

Dinner unfolds over approximately three hours beginning at six o’clock in the evening. A seasonal 13-course omakase (chef’s selection) menu is crafted exclusively of Niigata ingredients by Chef Makoto Fuse. Fuse is a Tohoku region native who apprenticed in France under Antoine Westermann, a French chef whose Strasbourg restaurant Le Buerehiesel was awarded three Michelin stars. The menu reflects the historic and traditional preservation techniques – smoking, fermenting, pickling – that developed in Niigata as a means of surviving and flourishing through its harsh northern winters.

The thirteen courses are playfully inspired by the thirteen figures in the composition of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, in a nod to the notion of a meal worthy of being one’s last. Deeply rooted in the traditional food culture of Niigata – and yet decidedly contemporary – Né’s creative blend of historic washoku traditions with modern French techniques uses ingredients sourced from small regional producers.

Beyond simply exciting and satisfying the palate with authentic local delights, Né’s approach forges a model of responsible, sustainable "regenerative locality” in which local resources, knowledge, and businesses are all respected, valued, and cultivated rather than exploited or extracted. This fosters an experience that, while undeniably luxurious, comes with the peace of mind and personal satisfaction of supporting sustainable systems that allow rural communities to endure and flourish.

Deepen Your Connection to the Region

The Blueprint of Sake, Niigata Style – a Wabunka Exclusive

Before dinner, guests join a private local sake tasting session designed exclusively for Wabunka. The experience begins with palate calibration through two variations of the auberge’s local groundwater, emphasizing the historical importance of water in Niigata’s agricultural development, and the flavor of sake.

Four small pours of Niigata sake are introduced according to their representative roles in the structure of sake classification: Fragrant, Rich, Aged, and Smooth. To isolate each sake’s distinctive palate and honor the simplicity of its recipe – rice, water, and koji mold – tastings are paired with plain white rice.

Resolving to Delight

During dinner, a final “Resolving Cup” is served alongside delightful dashi-infused takikomi mixed rice. Guests experience how the palate of sake transforms when paired with rice in its various forms. Non-alcoholic options are available at the same price.

From Consumption to Connection

Né’s guiding philosophy of “regenerative locality” aims to create not just another luxury stay experience, but a sustainable system in which production, culture, economy, and the environment strengthen one another in a prosperous, mutually beneficial loop.

Through architecture built from the site’s own soil, cuisine composed of regional produce and drawn from local traditions, and sake born from Niigata’s renowned rice and water, guests are invited to move beyond mere consumption to deeper connection. Take home the sensation of Niigata itself – of belonging in and being part of its clear water, fertile fields, and crisp mountainside air – distilled into architecture, sake, and unforgettable cuisine.