- Area:
4389 m²
Year:
2023
Manufacturer: KAKO CO., LTD., NOZAWA CORPORATION, Sankyo Tateyama, Inc., USTECH CORPORATION
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Lead architects:
TAISEI DESIGN Planners Architects & Engineers, Kengo Kuma ＆ Associates
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Text description from the architects. Nara is known worldwide as the birthplace of Japanese culture. Located on the western edge of Nara Park, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, this place is considered the gateway to the park, which is surrounded by numerous World Heritage sites, including Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine and Kofukuji Temple.
Although Nara Prefecture attracts many visitors from all over Japan and the rest of the world, there are not many facilities in the prefecture where visitors can stay, relax and enjoy the scenic scenery. This hotel project was therefore planned as part of the Yoshikien Garden Conservation and Utilization Project, a public-private partnership project implemented through a tender process led by the prefectural government.
The 3-hectare project site retains clearly visible remnants of land allotments from the Edo period (1603 to 1867). The former governor’s office building, completed in 1922 and now housing a reception and restaurant, was used as the office of the governor of Nara Prefecture until 2017. The renovation of the building preserved the Attestation Room, where the Showa Emperor signed the ratification documents for the San Francisco Peace Treaty. The former Seson-in Temple building, which now serves as a café for visitors, was built towards the end of the Edo period and is a rare remnant of a Kofukuji subsidiary temple. Next to the Yoshiki River lies the Yoshikien Garden, which was built in the Manyoshuand it includes some significant architectural pieces such as the main building of Yoshiki Garden, which was completed in 1919 and designated a prefectural cultural property, and a thatched-roof teahouse.
These historic buildings were upgraded to be earthquake-resistant and renovated inside and out so that they can be preserved and used while also being made even more attractive. Complementing these buildings were the accommodation building, which features a serene tiled roof and walls with partially exposed thick columns – both elements that characterize traditional Nara-style architecture – and the spa building, which recreates the appearance of the former youth hostel, which was characterized by a blend of Japanese and Western styles. Guided by the design concept of “a cross between tradition and modernity,” a unique hotel was realized so that guests can enjoy the history, culture and nature of Nara during their stay.
