Although we can’t fly to Japan for now, we can only look at photos to ease our homesickness. A new hotel has recently opened in Osaka, Japan, and it has quickly become a new landmark in the city. It is quite impressive because it was personally designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma, and it has already generated high expectations even before its official opening.
It’s about the “Osaka Royal Classic Hotel,” which opened shortly before the global outbreak of the epidemic. The predecessor of the hotel was actually the iconic building in the area, the “Osaka New Kabuki Theater,” designed by another pioneering architect, Togo Murano. Now, it has been transformed into a hotel by the younger architect, Kengo Kuma, giving a sense of inheritance.
The main feature of the Osaka Shin Kabukiza is the original architectural design of “Tang Po Feng”, which combines Chinese-style roofs with Western-style buildings. The curved eaves in the middle were quite innovative at the time. In order to preserve this key feature, during the renovation process, Kengo Kuma intentionally used precast concrete and aluminum panels for refurbishment, and built hotel rooms on top of it. Aluminum fins were used to decorate the exterior walls, creating a misty effect that stands out even more against the blue sky. They also echo the lower “Tang Po Feng” roof, showcasing a perfect blend of old and new.
As for the interior decoration, it adopts the most iconic Japanese Zen style of Kengo Kuma, using a large amount of wood and other natural materials, giving the overall space a “homey feeling” and exuding a warm and friendly atmosphere.
In addition, the hotel is located in the Namba district, which has been a center for drama and commerce since the Edo period. In order to continue this cultural heritage, the hotel displays over a hundred pieces of art worth millions of yen, including works by the printmaker Yoshi Mihara, transforming the space into a “museum hotel.” This allows guests to enjoy a leisurely stay while also relaxing their minds through the appreciation of art, enriching their personal cultural knowledge.
The Osaka Royal Classic Hotel has a total of 20 floors, including 150 guest rooms, 2 chapels, 5 banquet halls, a bridal salon, restaurants, and bars for different purposes. After the epidemic, if you plan to travel to Osaka, you may consider staying at the “Osaka Royal Classic Hotel”.
Osaka Royal Classic Hotel
Address: 4-3-3 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
資料及圖片來源： Hotel Royal Classic Osaka , Kengo Kuma and Associates
