HAKONE, Kanagawa — A hotel near Mount Fuji appears to blend in among the greenery of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko hotel in the town of Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, was completed as the Hakone Prince Hotel in 1978, when architect Togo Murano turned 87 years old.
Located within the national park, which has building restrictions, the hotel was designed to harmonize with the natural environment with the belief that “not a single tree or stone should be altered for no good reason.” The hotel building is a steel-framed reinforced concrete structure with three stories above ground and one below.
The central building and two cylindrical accommodation wings are arranged to take advantage of the sloping terrain. The accommodation buildings, located on the shores of Lake Ashinoko, are surrounded by trees that existed prior to the construction, providing a natural hedge that maintains privacy.
Murano also paid close attention to the interior and designed the furniture and lighting. The “swan chairs” placed in the lobby of the central building were designed with low seats to make the space feel larger when sat down. The furniture has been cherished as much as the building itself, and continues to serve guests today.
(Japanese original by Osamu Sukagawa, Photo Group)
* * *
The Japanese version of this article was originally published on May 30, 2021.
* * *
This series explores Japan’s architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings