Hakone Gora Karaku

This project envisions a 70-room ryokan-style hotel situated on an elevated site at the eastern edge of the Gora area. Inspired by the theme “Standing Out, Yet Still,” the design employs a composition of vertical and horizontal lines to create a refined Japanese form that evokes the elegance of Gora’s historic villa district.The heart of the facility is its bathing experience, featuring five distinct types of communal baths: two panoramic baths offering different views and three private baths, each with its own thematic character. Every guest room is also equipped with an open-air bath, creating a unique and intimate atmosphere tailored to each stay.Throughout the hotel, guests can enjoy a variety of spaces designed for personal relaxation and discovery, including a lobby, guest lounge, and two outdoor terraces with contrasting ambiances. The spirit of hospitality is expressed through artisanal craftsmanship—brickwork, kumiko latticework, tinware, and traditional plastering—woven into the architectural details.Due to the site’s location within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the building is divided into four visually separate volumes, each kept under 15 meters in height to comply with strict regulations. As the public and guest room wings are separated by a public road, an underground passage connects the two.