HOSHINOYA Tokyo: Elevated Sanctuary
In Tokyo's financial district, architect Rie Azuma has redefined the traditional ryokan through a striking 17-story tower wrapped in a metal lattice of kimono motifs. HOSHINOYA Tokyo represents a radical reinterpretation of Japan's hospitality traditions, translating centuries-old ryokan elements into a vertical urban form.
The building's intricate exterior screen creates an immediate separation from Tokyo's corporate landscape. Behind this metallic kimono, Azuma has orchestrated a series of spaces that challenge both hotel and ryokan conventions. Each floor functions as its own six-room inn, complete with an ochanoma lounge where guests shed their shoes and business personas.
Inside the rooms, Azuma's architectural restraint allows traditional elements to assume new relevance. Tatami floors extend throughout the space, while shoji screens slide to reveal floor-to-ceiling windows. Custom-designed furnishings maintain the low sight lines of traditional Japanese interiors while accommodating contemporary needs – beds are set within tatami platforms, and writing desks double as tea ceremony surfaces.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Nippon Cuisine
A Natural Hot Spring Gushing from 1,500m Below Ground
Outdoor hot spring on the top floor
The rooftop onsen presents Azuma's most dramatic spatial gesture. Here, a double-layered glass roof opens to the sky, allowing bathers to float between thermal waters and Tokyo's atmosphere while remaining completely private. This engineering feat transforms a traditional hot spring experience into a contemplative dialogue between ancient ritual and modern city life.