Japanese-style hotels are treasures
In the newly released first edition of the Michelin Hotel Guide in Japan, it is not surprising that Aman and Four Seasons were awarded three stars, but the appearance of Gora Flower Garden can be described as a dark horse.
This Japanese-style hot spring hotel in Hakone was once a summer palace for the royal family. It has become the pinnacle of Japanese-style hotels with its new design and innovative concepts of modern resort hotels.
Gora Kadan’s strong win of three stars can be regarded as a win for Japan’s ryokans.
The Michelin Guide has not neglected to pay attention to ryokans and boutique hotels in Japan, which can still be seen in the two-star and one-star lists.
Especially on the list of 17 two-star key hotels, there are many niche dark horses. You can see hotels with over a century of history such as Asaba Tower and Kamenoi Bessou, as well as modern-style boutique hotels built by Tadao Ando.
01
Gora Flower Bed
The only Japanese-style hot spring hotel among the six three-star key hotels in Japan, Gora Flower Garden has the honor of winning the three-star key. It can be said that there is no dispute.
To be able to stand out among the many hot spring hotels in Japan, Gora Flower Garden must have two brushes.
First of all, it has a great reputation – the hotel was formerly the summer palace of the Japanese royal family, Prince Zain. It was completed in the 5th year of the Showa era and has always been the summer resort for the Japanese royal family.
In 1989, this palace was converted into a hotel, and later became a member hotel of Relais & Châteaux. Whether it is its legendary past or its current reputation, Gora Kadan’s unique position among Japanese hot spring hotels is unshakable.
Another outstanding feature of Gora Flower Garden is its extraordinary design. While transforming the former royal palace building, it also integrates traditional Japanese aesthetics into modern architectural style.
The hotel building seen so far was designed by the famous architect Sei Takeyama. The use of materials such as bamboo, tiles, and stone allows the hotel to seamlessly integrate with the nature of Hakone.
The 38 guest rooms of Gora Kadan are impeccable. They incorporate modern living design while retaining the traditional Japanese style. They are equipped with tatami floors and mattresses, shoji partitions, and decorative niches. They also innovate the art of living through living rooms, bedrooms, indoor wooden bathrooms, and private Japanese gardens.
The suite also features a steam sauna, wooden terrace and a personal open-air stone bath fed by natural spring water.
In addition to the newly launched “Likyu” in 2010, there is also an outdoor hot spring made of a 10-ton boulder, which fully demonstrates the luxurious style of the Gora flower bed.
In addition to having two private hot springs, another extraordinary feature of Gora Kadan is the introduction of the concept of a modern luxury resort. The KADAN SPA created not only has the world’s top level of spa experience, but also has a unique rock bath.
The Western-style building built in the same year of Showa was transformed into a kaiseki restaurant, and became an important factor in Gora Kadan becoming a member of Relais & Châteaux.
02
The Shinmonzen
The Shinmonzen, a representative boutique hotel in Kyoto, has successfully won the two-star key this time.
The hotel is located along Shinmonzen Avenue in Gion, Kyoto, the “city of antique art”. It is designed by the famous design master Tadao Ando.
The simple and elegant dark appearance comes from the Kawara structure designed by Tadao Ando. The pitched roof with wooden body and gray tiles complements the surrounding environment and is harmonious. The promenade connecting the inside and outside of the hotel uses Ando’s signature fair-faced concrete and wooden grilles to create an interesting contrast.
Shinmonzen has a total of 9 guest rooms, each using different natural materials to create a modern-style home residence.
The aroma of cypress, the tranquility of marble, the velvety tatami, the Japanese paper screens designed by Takayuki Watanabe and the works of Damien Hirst selected by the head of interior design Rémi Tessier, together condense the elegance of the house.
Looking down from the balconies of all nine guest rooms, you can overlook the most beautiful Shirakawa stream in Kyoto, sparkling in the sun.
The hotel’s main restaurant is the first branch of the famous Michelin restaurant Jean-Georges in Kyoto, adding a modern and stylish atmosphere to the quaint Kyoto.
With the innovative modern mansion concept designed by a master and the blessing of a Michelin restaurant, it is natural for The Shinmonzen to receive two stars.
03
Kamenoi Villa
Kamenoi Villa, which Cai Lan regarded as “a must stay once in a lifetime”, is also among the two-star keys.
Kamenoi Bessou, known as one of the three imperial families of Yufuin, was founded by Mijiro Nakatani and has been run by the Nakatani family for generations. It has become famous in recent decades, helping Yufuin become Japan’s leading hot spring resort.
Kamenoi Villa, which is close to the bustling city but adjacent to Kinrin Lake, can be said to be a quiet place amidst the bustle.
The hotel covers an area of 30,000 square meters. In addition to the main hotel with 6 Western-style rooms and the guest room area with 15 single-family Japanese-style villas, there is also a grocery store “Kadiya”, a restaurant “Yunogakuan” and a cafe “Patio Zashiki”. These designs are all inspired by the German hot spring town of Baden, and together they form this “village in the countryside”.
The 100-year-old Kamenoi Bessou was renovated after the 2016 Oita earthquake. On the basis of retaining the original villa structure, the simple modern style of the guest room contrasts with the traditional architectural appearance. From the room, you can quietly enjoy the wonderful courtyard view.
The hotel’s hot springs are particularly outstanding. Each single-family villa has an exclusive open-air bath, where you can enjoy Yufuin’s private hot springs. The hot springs that are filled with water 24 hours a day are an extremely luxurious hot spring experience. It is worthy of being Yufuin’s top hot spring hotel, and it definitely deserves its two stars.
04
ENOWA Yufu
If Kamenoi Villa is a hot spring resort with a century-old history that blends East and West, then ENOWA, another masterpiece from Liberty on the two-star list, is an avant-garde hot spring hotel with a modern style.
ENOWA, which will be unveiled in June 2023, is hidden on a hill and has an excellent view overlooking the natural scenery of Yufuin. The architectural arrangement of hotels is also a very popular practice at the moment, with several villas and guest rooms interspersed according to the mountains and height differences.
The villa building is made of wood, stone and soil, which not only displays a simple design, but also brings a warm texture.
ENOWA’s guest rooms start at 78 square meters, and the single-family villas reach 165 square meters including a private swimming pool. All rooms also have private hot springs, continuing the Japanese hot spring concept.
It is worth mentioning that the hotel focuses on the concept of “original luxury” and integrates Yufuin’s primitive nature and mountain beauty with villa architecture, private hot springs and Michelin restaurants, creating this very “forest-style” hot spring resort.
This work is listed as a two-star key, which also shows the Michelin Guide’s niche focus on finding hotels.
05
Nishimuraya Main Building
The Nishimuraya Main Building located in Kinosaki, Hyogo Prefecture, also won the two-star key in this guide.
This 150-year-old traditional Japanese inn retains the classic Japanese courtyard. Tall ancient pines, ancient moss and artistic carp ponds fully reflect the aesthetics of the Japanese courtyard.
Nishimuraya Main Building has a total of 34 rooms, including 7 different styles and room types.
The interior furnishings are all Japanese-style, made of high-grade cypress wood. Classic Japanese room designs such as tatami floors and Japanese paper doors can be seen here, which is very high-quality. Some room types even come with private courtyards and open-air baths.
Josaki, where Nishimuraya is located, has a long history of hot springs, dating back more than 1,400 years. In the main building of Nishimuraya, there are three hot spring pools with a history of thousands of years: Yoshinoyu, Fukunoyu and Shonoyu. These three hot spring pools are either connected indoors or outdoors, are circular open-air pools, or sit in the courtyard with beautiful views, all of which are unique.
Nishimuraya Main Hotel is also a member hotel of Relais & Châteaux and has excellent Japanese cuisine. As a legendary hot spring hotel in Kinosaki, it is well deserved to win two stars.
06
Asaba Qianba Tower
The popular Qianyu Tower is also ranked two stars.
As one of the oldest existing hot spring hotels in Japan, the history of Asaba Tower can be traced back to more than 300 years ago.
The hotel is located in Shuzenji Temple in Izu, Shizuoka. As a historic building, the architectural style of the Chinese Tang Dynasty (that is, the popular Tang Po Feng) is still preserved at the entrance.
The Japanese-style courtyard of Asaba Building ASABA can be said to be the highlight of the hotel. The traditional Japanese-style architectural houses and the extremely high-level garden landscape together form a very Zen, natural and peaceful Japanese-style courtyard.
What is interesting is that the guest rooms in Qianyu Building are not blindly advocating for the ancient times, especially after being renovated, the interior decoration has been completely new.
Although there are only 17 rooms, the rooms not only adopt many modern designs and decorations, but also use Nordic-style simple furniture for the furniture. This also confirms the hotel’s advancement with the times and its pursuit of modern stay experience and living comfort.
As the pinnacle Japanese-style hot spring hotel in Japan, the biggest highlight of Asaba Tower is that it has the oldest hot spring in Izu – “Tokuko no Yu”. Guests can enjoy the open-air bath while enjoying the ultimate courtyard view.
In addition to enjoying a Japanese dinner in the hot springs at Asaba Tower, you can also enjoy traditional Japanese Noh theater performances in the hotel from time to time.
Asaba Tower is also a member hotel of Relais & Châteaux, but its famous reputation as Japan’s No. 1 Japanese-style hot spring hotel and the pioneer of one stay, two meals, makes Miss feel that it is a bit regretful that it has stopped at two stars.