Angela Ferguson visits a modern hotel in traditional Kyoto.

Kyoto has a reputation for being one of the more traditional cities of Japan; many tourists visit here to see shrines, temples and “old Japan”. So the Hotel Kanra is a somewhat of an anomaly in Kyoto – it is delightfully modern, and sits comfortably amongst the most beautiful boutique hotels in the world.

Completed in 2010 the Hotel Kanra was designed by architect Norito Nakahara. The overall design is based on the proportions of Kyoto’s machiya (wooden town houses). This is evident in the elongated shape of the rooms and the palette of materials used including volcanic stone flooring, tatami mats in sitting areas,traditional Japanese hiba (cypress) wood bathtubs, frosted glass bathroom walls and shoji screens.

Like many things in Japan the attention to detail is exquisite. And it is the small details that make this hotel extra special including custom made lamps of tiny white threads (referencing cushion stuffing) and skylights in the bathrooms that give the impression of being connected to the outdoors.

The entry lobby is essentially an installation piece and was created by Tokyo based New Yorker Alexander Reeder. Large triangular interactive panels on the walls and ceiling change colour depending on the season as well as the light, sound and temperature in the lobby and restaurant.

In many areas of the hotel the work of local artists is featured via ceramics, ikebana (flower arrangement), lighting design and hanging wall art.

Hotel Kanra was conceived to support the local community through its existence and to educate visitors about historical Kyoto in thoroughly modern manner. This has been done in a way that is respectful to the heritage of the area whilst at the same time presenting the Japanese conscience in a contemporary setting.

Hotel Kanra is an embodiment of Japanese aesthetic values; these values have developed over many centuries and are about creating a state of mind that is peaceful and harmonious. We truly felt this during our visit here – once we’d arrived we felt very much at home and it became extremely difficult to leave such a beautiful sanctuary.

Hotel Kanra
hotelkanra.jp

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