Off-grid retreat in Shizuoka Prefecture showcases sustainable lifestyle

What factors do you consider when planning your travels? For some travelers like myself, it would not only be sightseeing, food and seasonal events but also unique accommodations. Here’s one such example, a luxury off-grid hotel in Nishiizu, Shizuoka Prefecture.

What is off-grid?

Off-grid refers to living without connecting to the public electricity grid. Off-grid living relies on renewable energy sources like sunlight, wind and geothermal heat, achieving self-sufficiency in electricity. Therefore, this lifestyle is considered environmentally friendly.

Off-grid luxury hotel “WEAZER Nishiizu” in Shizuoka Prefecture

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An off-grid luxury hotel, WEAZER, is situated at the top of the hill, offering a stunning ocean view. It features systems that generate electricity from solar energy as well as to produce drinkable water from rain, thereby resulting in zero CO2 emissions. Moreover, its innovative water purification system eliminates wastewater, which also minimizes negative effects on the environment.

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(WEAZER serves Japanese-style breakfast in-room.)

This hotel is limited to hosting only one group per day, making it perfect for a private stay. In addition to the off-grid concept, guests can also enjoy meals made with seasonal local ingredients.

The secret of complete off-grid habitat modules

Originally, WEAZER refers to an off-grid habitat module integrating solar panels, batteries, water purification and storage systems, developed by ARTH Inc. These modules are manufactured at a factory and then installed at designated sites. This approach minimizes both construction time and environmental impact at the installation site.

As these modules are available on the market, WEAZER Nishiizu serves as a showcase for experiencing their unique off-grid lifestyle.

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WEAZER’s greatest feature lies in its proprietary software, which can simulate the amount of electricity and water needed to achieve self-sufficiency, based on the past 20 years of weather data for each location. When relying on renewable energy, the biggest concern is often the risk of sudden power or water outages. This innovative technology has been patented and resolves those concerns.

In addition to analyzing weather data, they also consider other factors such as the desired house size and exterior design of the potential buyer and adjust the storage battery and water tank capacity, the number of solar panels and other relevant factors. Moreover, WEAZER is highly compatible with electric vehicles (EVs). Surplus electricity produced by WEAZER can power EVs, and vice versa.

Located in the Funayama area, WEAZER Nishi-Izu faces the challenge of an aging population, with over half of its residents being over the age of 65. To combat this trend, WEAZER aims to deploy its off-grid, decarbonized technology across the area, revitalizing the community.

This hotel is not only a great place to visit but also offers a unique off-grid living experience, making it an ideal destination during your trip to Japan.