Hoshino Resorts Inc. has announced the opening of the first luxury ryokan, Hoshinoya Tokyo in the capital city of Japan.
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn where you can relax in a tatami-floored room with hot spring baths and seasonal cuisine. Ryokans, however, are hard to find in large cities and are more typically located in scenic areas such as in the mountains or by the sea.
Established in 1904 as a forestry business in Karuizawa, the company opened its first hot spring resort in 1914. Rebranded by Yoshiharu Hoshino in 1995 as Hoshino Resorts, it has expanded across Japan always offering local culture and traditional experiences.
Hoshino Resorts has developed three separate hospitality brands: Hoshinoya (luxury ryokan), Kai (luxury hot spring resorts) and Risonare (family oriented luxury hotels featuring indoor and outdoor experiences and activities).
The group currently it operates 35 properties accross Japan.
A singular ryokan in each storey
Located in Otemachi, the economic center of Japan, and surrounded by financial and media giants, Hoshinoya Tokyo is inside a 17-storey tower. To keep the experience of the traditional Japanese inns.
Each floor of this 17-storey tower is a singular ryokan with its own dedicated staff, eyeing to maintain a sense of intimacy, surprise, and the relaxed ambience offered by a traditional Japanese inn.
Tokyo represents a marriage of traditional Japanese architecture and contemporary lifestyle. Like a traditional ryokan, soft tatami matting is used not only in the rooms but also throughout the corridors and common spaces.
Rooms are cleanly designed, minimal furnished with pristine futons and other essentials. A deep bathtub invites guests to take a relaxing soak.
Yuri, Sakura and Kiku
Hoshinoya Tokyo features three ryokan room tipes: Yuri, Sakura ansd Kiku.
With 83m² and a maximum capacity for 3 persons, the Kiku rooms are twice the size of the Yuri and Sakura rooms.
The Kiku are furnished with a lounge sofa, dining table, and small desk. The bath area window can be opened to create the feeling of bathing outdoors. Three single-size beds are laid out on the bed stand.
These rooms are oriented to the South and sunlight filtersthrough the shoji paper sliding doors that cover the windows.
Conceived for two peaople maximum the 41 to 49 m² Yuri and Sakura rooms feature bamboo closets and shoji paper sliding doors to the traditional aesthetic style.
Each room contains a bathtub and shower stall. Sakura rooms are furnished with either a twin or double bed, and are located near the lounge, allowing guests to enjoy a true ryokan experience. Yuri rooms are corner rooms furnished with double beds, and are more suitable for guests who wish to enjoy more privacy and quiet.
The ochanoma lounge
As every ryokan, Hoshinoya Tokyo has an ochanoma lounge, a room that serves as an exclusive living and dining espace for guests who are staying there.
In the ochanoma, there’s a library, which is furnished with desks and sofas. But the main role of this lounge is providing access to the best flavors and aromas that Japan has to offer at any time of the year. Teas, sakes, specialty coffees, and snacks are brought in from all over the country to enhance the season, as well as each moment of every day.
“Nouvelle ryokan cuisine” by Hamada
Noriyuki Hamada signs the culinary offer, traditional ryokan, but to the French style at at Hoshinoya Tokyo.
Bronze medalist at the 2013 Bocuse d’Or world chef championship, his fish dish was rated world’s best. Hamada’s French style cuisine, incorporates Japanese craftsmanship, culinary skills, and ingredients. This approach defines the “nouvelle ryokan cuisine” he offers at the restaurant.
And a restaurant guide
Outside the ryokan, Otemachi Financial City offers a wide variety of dining establishments, ranging from Chinese to Italian to cafes. Hoshinoya Tokio offers their guests a guide of restaurants in case they decide not to have their meals at the hotel.
