{"id":18426,"date":"2018-02-23T14:36:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T14:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=18426"},"modified":"2018-02-23T14:46:10","modified_gmt":"2018-02-23T14:46:10","slug":"6-of-the-best-hotels-for-architects-and-design-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/23\/6-of-the-best-hotels-for-architects-and-design-lovers\/","title":{"rendered":"6 of the best hotels in Japan for architects and design lovers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18426\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Having grown up glued to Grand Designs and studied urban design at university, Claire has long been fascinated by the contemporary architecture of the big cities.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Architecture in Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to style and design, you don\u2019t have to look much further than Japan. Traditionally characterised by clean lines and a Zen inspired aesthetic of simplicity and minimalism, architects and designers have long sought inspiration in Japanese culture. What\u2019s more, Japan can\u00a0lay claim to a pretty impressive shortlist of architectural masterminds \u2013 Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma to name just a few.\u00a0It&#8217;s of little surprise that Tokyo is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world.<\/p>\n<p>But if you\u2019re a true\u00a0design aficionado, you\u2019ll have just one thing on your mind &#8211; bagging a stay in one of these magnificent buildings. As luck would have it, a number of Japan\u2019s most applauded architects have specialised in hotel design and consequently, Japan boasts a collection of the most unique hotels in the world \u2013 many with a fascinating back story.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for somewhere truly unique to rest your head on your next trip to Japan, here are our pick of the best:<\/p>\n<h2><strong>1.\u00a0Benesse House, Naoshima<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18433\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18433\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18433 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Benesse House Design Hotel, Naoshima, Japan \" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NB-023.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18433\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Benesse House, Naoshima<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Probably the most well-known of Japan\u2019s design hotels, Benesse House is a hotel come art museum located on Naoshima, Japan\u2019s Art Island. Designed by world-renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, the fundamental concept behind the design was \u2018the coexistence of nature, art and architecture\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst I hesitate from classifying this as a luxury option, from the perspective of sheer aesthetics, it ticks every box. Strategically positioned on a hill to offer a clear vista of the Seto Inland Sea, whilst at the same time, carefully sunken into the ground to ensure the building doesn\u2019t become an eyesore in itself.<\/p>\n<p>At every turn, the building has been designed to showcase the wonderful art housed within the beautiful white-washed walls. With floor-to-ceiling windows and large atriums, there is plenty of natural light and interior and exterior seamlessly blend into one.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst the Benesse House site has been extended over time, the original accommodation is located in the museum itself and there are reminders of this at every turn. The front desk doubles up as a ticket sales desk, and every room features an original work of art. So far, so\u2026 museum! There is something undeniably cool about staying in a world class art museum, especially if you are creatively inclined. Where else can you wander around a gallery in your pyjamas in the middle of the night!?<\/p>\n<p>Without doubt, this will be one of the most unique hotel experiences you will have anywhere in Japan \u2013 and indeed the world.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Hotel Keyforest Hokuto, Kobuchizawa<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18432\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18432\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18432 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-720x404.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Keyforest Hokuto Design Hotel, Kobuchizawa\" width=\"720\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-720x404.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-564x317.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-1200x674.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-900x505.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto-510x286.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hotel-Keyforest-Hokuto.jpg 1279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hotel Keyforest Hokuto, Kobuchizawa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You don\u2019t have to be a design expert to see that this particular hotel is something a little bit special. Nestled amidst forest in sleepy Kobuchizawa, the imposing modernist, concrete fa\u00e7ade offers a sharp (pun intended) contrast to the serene surroundings, making it quite the local landmark.<\/p>\n<p>And yet there is a closer connection to the history of the local area than you might first imagine. Designed by eminent Japanese architect Atsushi Kitagawara, the concept was inspired by the region\u2019s prehistoric Jomon history, using geometric shapes and natural materials.<\/p>\n<p>The jagged exterior isn\u2019t the only surprise. Here you\u2019ll also discover a world-class private art gallery, home to the work of renowned New York street artist Keith Haring. Again, seemingly incongruous, but the bright cartoon stick figures of Haring\u2019s work bear a startling resemblance to ancient Jomon pottery and sculptures, hence\u00a0why the artwork is housed here rather than in Tokyo. Kobuchizawa is certainly full of surprises!<\/p>\n<p>With just six guest rooms, the hotel itself is modest in size, but what it lacks in scale it certainly makes up for in style. The best way to describe it is \u2018superior boutique\u2019. All of the rooms here are individually designed, with the internal design features painstakingly mirroring the external facade and showcasing the natural beauty of Yamanashi.<\/p>\n<h2>3.\u00a0Kumo-no-Ue Hotel\/Yusuhara Marche, Yusuhara, Shikoku<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18435\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18435\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18435 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-720x438.jpg\" alt=\"Yusuhara Marche, Yusuhara, Japan\" width=\"720\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-720x438.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-768x467.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-1024x623.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-564x343.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-1200x730.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-900x548.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-390x237.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-780x475.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara-510x310.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Yusuhara.jpg 1380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18435\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yusuhara Marche, Yusuhara<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On a trip to Shikoku last autumn, I chanced upon Yusuhara; a small, seemingly inconspicuous town nestled in the mountains in Kochi Prefecture. However, first impressions can be deceptive.\u00a0The first sign that isn\u2019t your average Japanese mountain town is the Town Hall; \u2018Yusuhara Marche\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Designed by internationally renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma (the brains behind the 2020 Olympic Stadium) this striking wooden building is totally trademark of his style; a modern design yet somehow perfectly in harmony with the beauty of the natural surroundings. Three sides wood and one side thatch, there is something beautifully structured and simple about this building that prompts you to look upon it with curiosity rather than distaste.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no accident that this building is located here. Yusuhara has a deep-rooted history in the forestry industry, so this building is a homage to the local cultural heritage. And that\u2019s not all. Yusuhara was recently proclaimed the most \u2018forward-thinking town in Japan\u2019, leading the way in renewable energy and sustainable building design. Approximately 30% of the town is currently completely self-sustainable, with ambitious plans in place to become 100% self-sustainable by 2050.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t the only surprise to be found in Yusuhara. Travel a little further up the hillside and you\u2019ll find the main hotel in the town, also designed by Kengo Kuma. Translating literally as \u2018hotel above the clouds\u2019, every aspect of this concept has been woven into the design. Enjoying an elevated position and glorious views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, the hotel has been constructed to look like an airplane\u2019s wing.<\/p>\n<p>The smooth lines and aerodynamic nature of the roof blends into the surroundings and can be seen to represent a cloud. The main atrium is light, airy and spacious with floor to ceiling glass drawing in the natural landscape beyond and lending a sense of connection and continuity with nature.<\/p>\n<h2>4.\u00a0Garden Terrace, Nagasaki<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18436\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18436\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18436 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-720x479.jpg\" alt=\"Garden Terrace Design Hotel, Nagasaki, Japan\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Garden-Terrace.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18436\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Garden Terrace, Nagasaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Regularly referred to as a \u2018state-of-the-art design hotel\u2019, and winner of the 2010 Kyushu Prize General Architecture award, this is another Kengo Kuma creation and a Dezeen favourite. Once again, the hotel boasts all the hallmarks of Kuma\u2019s signature style \u2013 a visually striking building constructed from light natural materials, lending a certain softness to an otherwise angular and imposing structure.<\/p>\n<p>The primary design concept was born from an interest in the concept of volume. The main building is essentially a series of boxes mounted on top of each other \u2013 a big box, a small box and defined linear elements connecting the entire structure together. From the front, you might question how much natural light flows into the space as the windows are small and few and far between. Yet the building has been designed to channel natural light from the outside in and beam out into a wide-reaching vista overlooking the bay at the back.<\/p>\n<p>In 2015, Kuma returned to the Garden Terrace to add an extension; the Royal Terrace building. This building has a very deliberately asymmetrical triangular roof, which at first glance, may seem a surprising departure from the original concept. The original building is all about the quadrilaterals. Or is it? Upon closer inspection, you start to make out triangles; a triangular impression in the roof where the building caves inwards, a triangular form from the balcony at the front. To me, this building sums up all that is beautiful about architecture and design; something superficially simple that builds in intricacy the closer you look.<\/p>\n<p>And what\u2019s it like to stay here? As you might expect, the rooms are super modern in style, light and bright with balconies to make the most of the enviable view. Shape and form is a recurring theme, with rooms in the main building kitted out with cuboid furniture and rooms in the extension bedecked in triangular furniture; neat touches\u00a0representative of the deluxe grade.<\/p>\n<h2>5.\u00a0Cycle U2, Onomichi<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18438\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18438\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18438 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-720x422.jpg\" alt=\"Cycle U2 Design Hotel, Onomichi, Japan \" width=\"720\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-720x422.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-768x451.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-564x331.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-900x528.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-390x229.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-780x458.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2-510x299.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Cycle-U2.jpg 963w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18438\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cycle U2, Onomichi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For anyone interested in design and cycling, surely there can\u2019t be a better hotel than the Onomichi U2; a boutique \u2018cycle hotel\u2019 located at the start of the Shimanami Kaido cycle route. With the opening of this revolutionary cycling complex, this sleepy seaside town has instantly reinvented itself as a mecca for design and architecture enthusiasts the world over.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike the other hotels in this list, this isn\u2019t a building that has been designed and created from scratch. Instead, it is a reincarnation of a former maritime warehouse. A remarkable contrast from the traditional machiya properties characteristic of this area, the warehouse has an undeniably expansive, industrial feel, with wide walkways and functional, no-fuss materials like concrete, wood and steel.<\/p>\n<p>This is so much more than a hotel. Yes, there are rooms here. 28 to be precise. But there\u2019s also a shop where you can kit yourself out in all the latest cycle gear and cafes and restaurants where you can grab a quick bite to eat on the go. It is instantly clear that cycling is at the heart and soul of this place and its influences run deep \u2013 from the layout and quirky interior design features to the internal energy supply (you quite literally have to peddle for your supper!)<\/p>\n<p>Above all, this is a space that has been designed to be practical; one of the most unique aspects of this hotel is the \u2018cycle through\u2019 check-in facility. All of the bedrooms come complete with hooks to hang bikes when not in use. The bathrooms all line the external walls, acting as a barrier between the natural light source and the bedroom space \u2013 far from conducive for business travellers, but perfect for energy-sapped cyclists in need of a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n<h2>6.\u00a0Hoshinoya, Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18439\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18439\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18439 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-720x492.jpg\" alt=\"Hoshinoya Design Hotel, Tokyo \" width=\"720\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-720x492.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-768x525.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-1024x699.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-564x385.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-1200x820.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-900x615.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-390x266.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-780x533.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya-510x348.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Hoshinoya.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18439\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hoshinoya, Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I couldn\u2019t finish this piece without mentioning at least one Tokyo-based hotel. After all, Tokyo is arguably the global epicentre of architectural cool. Whilst there are many hotels that could have made it onto this list, the one that\u2019s been making headlines recently is the Hoshinoya, which was proclaimed Tokyo\u2019s first ever \u2018luxury high-rise ryokan hotel\u2019 when it opened its doors in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Rie Azuma (of Azuma Architects), the mastermind behind the Hoshinoya certainly saw a gap in the market with this design and her vision appears to have paid off. The hotel was awarded New Concept of the Year and AHEAD Asia Hotel of the Year in 2017 and chosen for the Conde Nast 2018 Gold Awards \u2018Favourite Hotels in the World\u2019. This, it would seem, is <em>the<\/em> place to stay in Tokyo.<\/p>\n<p>A stand-alone skyscraper, the Hoshinoya fits seamlessly into its surroundings. On the one hand, it has been designed to sympathetically conform to the same upscale look of the office buildings all around, whilst at the same time retaining an assured confidence and identity of its very own.<\/p>\n<p>The external fa\u00e7ade of intricate black lattice metalwork, designed to resemble traditional kimono patterning, is particularly interesting; offering a subtle hint to the quintessentially traditional elements of Japanese culture concealed within the modern exterior. It also serves a practical purpose, acting as a screen between the rooms and the offices directly opposite.<\/p>\n<p>As you would expect from a Hoshinoya hotel, the overall look and feel is overwhelmingly upscale with impeccable attention to detail. Despite the urban location and sheer scale of the building, the traditional concept has been retained throughout. Each floor has been designed to look like a mini ryokan, with tatami mats and exposed woodwork, giving guests all the comforting elements of a ryokan on a prime piece of real estate. And the crowning glory? A state-of-the-art top floor onsen with genuine hot spring water, pumped up from 1000m beneath the hotel. This is perhaps the most impressive of the Hoshinoya\u2019s many design features; the bath opens to the sky with super high walls so the other buildings can\u2019t look in.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Feeling inspired to take on an architectural voyage of discovery for yourself? We can arrange stays at any of these hotels as part of any InsideJapan Tours <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/\">Self-Guided Adventure<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! Having grown up glued to Grand Designs and studied urban design at university, Claire has long been fascinated by the contemporary architecture of the big cities. Like this post? 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