Kawayu Onsen Fujiya Ryokan
This is a project by PROCESS5 Design and it is located at Kawayu Hongu, Tanabe, Wakayama, Japan. Project's program: Interior partial renewal of Japanese-style hotel. There are twelve images for Kawayu Onsen Fujiya Ryokan.
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Project details
Project images
Designer's statement
Space where hospitality is extended, making best use of local materials and atmosphere:
Hot spring village “Kawayu Onsen” near the world heritage Kumano-Kodo
The predecessor of the old-established hotel “Fujiya, ” was the said to be the discoverer of the source of Kawayu Onsen. 3 rooms of the Fujiya hotel will be renovated as a guest room with an attached open-air bath, and a reserved open-air bath and eating space will be newly constructed using the existing building.
In this hot spring village situated deep in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, hot springs are said to bubble up if you dig a little into the dry riverbed. This rare characteristic in Japan attracts many tourists. In addition, the rising popularity of hot springs among young adults in recent years and the new clientele of overseas tourists visiting Kumano-Kodo, have demanded that changes be made. Through the facility renewal, creative space providing a spark to the rejuvenation of the hotel as well as a software proposal providing a milestone to the future branding of the hotel are required.
For this renewal, we embarked on research of the regional environment and characteristics along with the owner.
We proposed to create a space which highlights the uniqueness and points of interest found only here as well as a space which can give birth to new activities. After considering many possibilities, we decided on the theme of hot springs bubbling up from the riverbed in front of the hotel. Sense of freedom and release can be felt from digging and enjoying your personal open-air bath from the riverbed. Activities surrounding the open-air bath can be enjoyed such as eating, drinking and talking.
We endeavored to incorporate such a sense of freedom and activities to the creative space.
Also, by using local materials for the flooring, walls and ceiling which make up the space, the plan would further enhance regional characteristics.
Guest rooms:
We planned to make a large open-air bath in proportion to the area of the guest room. We proposed an “open-air bath attached to a guest room” so that guests may enjoy complimentary relaxation by bathing in a large open-air tub where there is space for both full immersion and foot baths. The focus of the guest room is not the indoor space but the outdoor bath. Ordinary activities carried out indoors such as conversing and drinking are carried out in the open-air bath.
Reserved open air bath:
Our plan was to create a large bath where both full immersion and reclining baths are possible. People can enjoy their baths in various positions and styles in a riverbed open-air type spa. The fragrance from the local trees used as material and the sound of the murmuring of the river contribute to enjoying a soothing atmosphere.
Eating space:
By having partitions which can be stored within the walls, our plan is to create an eating space catering to all sizes, from small gatherings to banquets.
In the leisure space of the approach, local artist exhibitions as well as tea ceremonies and flower arrangement gatherings hosted by the owner may be held.
