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Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Akiu Onsen is known as a hot spring resort where emperors and feudal lords throughout the ages have recuperated their bodies and minds. You can hear the gurgling sound of the Natori River next to the hot spring. This river was once an important waterway for transporting construction materials and conducting trade in the castle town, supporting the development of industry and culture at that time.
Akiu Onsen, often referred to as the “hidden retreat of Sendai,” has been a place where successive emperors and feudal lords have come to heal and relax. Along the shores of Akiu Onsen, you can hear the gentle flow of the Natori River, which supported the transport of goods for the construction of the castle town and trade, playing a crucial role in the industrial and cultural development of the area at the time.
▼Entrance facade with Tanabata-inspired curtains to welcome guests © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Kai Akiyo is located deep in the Akiu Hot Spring next to the Natori River and is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. From all the rooms in Kai Akiho, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Natori River, which was famous for its poetic themes in the Mutsu area (now Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori) during the Heian period. It was formed by the erosion of rocks. We combined the colors, light and shadows presented by this beautiful water vein and scenery with the charm of local traditional folk crafts such as Sendai glass, and integrated them into the space of Kie Akiho to present a unique regional beauty and cultural atmosphere.
KAI Akiu is located in a quiet, secluded area of Akiu Onsen, nestled right beside the Natori River and surrounded by rich natural beauty. Guests can enjoy views of the beautiful gorge, eroded by the Natori River, a famous poetic subject from the Heian period and one of the song landmarks of Mutsu.
We have incorporated colors and light that resonate with this beautiful water source and landscape, alongside the beauty of local handicrafts, including Sendai glass.
▼Guest room overlooking the gorge © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Entrance
Entrance
At the entrance, we set up a curtain with the theme of Sendai Tanabata, and expressed our wish to “provide guests with a better accommodation experience.” The design of the warm curtain is inspired by Chinese Valentine’s Day. The overall color is mainly green of bamboo leaves, and the bright colors of the short book are expressed through pink gradient.
At the entrance, a curtain inspired by the Sendai Tanabata Festival is displayed. This is to welcome guests with the wish of providing them with a better stay. The curtain is based on green hues, representing the bamboo and sasa leaves of Tanabata, with the vibrant colors of the tanzaku (paper strips) expressed through a pink gradient.
▼Entrance curtains in green and pink gradients © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Entrance curtains and door details, Entrance curtains and door details
© Keishin Horikoshi / SS
We used the Akiho stone taken from the Leilei Gorge formed by the erosion of the Natori River as the hotel logo.
After passing through the entrance, you will enter a space filled with wind chimes, which in ancient times had the symbolic meaning of warding off evil spirits and taking refuge. Here, the beautiful ringtones and fresh and healing colors contain the enthusiasm for welcoming tourists.
The “Matsukasa Wind Chime” originated 400 years ago. It was created under the orders of the Date Domain and the tradition is passed down through secret techniques. Since ancient times, it has been hung under the eaves as a talisman, and we incorporated this tradition into the design of the Feng Shui Room, becoming a symbol of the transition between indoors and outdoors.
The main facility signs incorporate Akiu stone, which is quarried from the Raikyo Gorge, formed by the erosion of the land by the Natori River.
As you pass through the entrance, you will find a space filled with wind chimes, which have been regarded as a symbol of protection against evil since ancient times. The beautiful sounds and colors of the chimes create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
The “Matsukasa wind chimes” originated 400 years ago, commissioned by the Date clan, and have been passed down through generations using a secret, exclusive technique. Traditionally, they have been hung as protective charms on eaves, and we have decided to incorporate them into the windbreak room, which marks the transition between the indoors and outdoors.
▼Matsukasa wind chimes in the vestibule © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Colors and details of Matsukasa wind chimes, Colors and details of Matsukasa wind chimes
© Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Lobby
Lobby
The lobby introduces green as the keynote, integrating with the natural scenery of the Natori River and Akiho next to the hotel. Japanese paper shoji screens are designed above the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing people to focus more on the natural beauty of the Natori River and valley.
The lobby lounge is designed with a space centered around green, intended to welcome guests into an environment that blends seamlessly with the Natori River flowing beside the facility and the vast nature of Akiu. The large opening has deliberately been equipped with shoji screens at the top, allowing the majestic views of the Natori River and the surrounding gorge to come into the line of simultaneously sight.
▼Lobby with a green palette © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Lobby space and floor-to-ceiling windows, Lobby and full-height glazing © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Lobby at night, Lobby at night © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
The front desk uses local white stone and paper, showing a warm and soft atmosphere through light and shadow effects, creating a unique sense of warmth wrapped in local characteristics.
The front desk uses local Shiroishi washi paper to create a play of light and shadow, presenting a warm, gentle atmosphere that envelopes the local surroundings.
▼Front desk with softly lit Shiroishi washi © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Guest Room (Between Blue and Blue)
Guest Room (Room of Green)
We used the ancient legend of Leilei Gorge “Blue Deep” as color inspiration and integrated it into the design of the guest rooms, aiming to immerse guests in the embrace of Akiyu’s natural landscape and folk tales.
The guest rooms are designed as special spaces that integrate with the green surroundings, offering views of the Natori River. The color inspired by the ancient legend of the Raikyo Gorge, “The Azure Depths”, has been incorporated, allowing guests to be enveloped by the natural beauty of Akiu and its folk tales.
▼Guest room and the view beyond © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Tatami and sleeping area in the guest room © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
In the guest room corridor, we designed a full-moon-patterned coat (origami sliding door) inspired by the moon and sun (Katsuki Kanamaru no flag), which is the deep connection of the Date family.
In the guest room corridor, we have placed bold sliding doors featuring a full moon design, inspired by motifs of the moon and sun (such as the Date family’s crest, the “Katsu-iro Kinhi no Maru” or “Victory-colored Golden Sun”). This design reflects the deep connection with the Date family.
▼Full-moon sliding doors in the guest room corridor © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Opened sliding doors and guest room © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
The Sendai glass artwork on the wall is made of Sendai’s gravel to create a soft green color, expressing the gurgling sound of the local river and the shimmering light on the water.
The four large coats make full use of the wide horizontal space and reproduce the image of the quiet and leisurely water flow of the Natori River.
Using local sand, the Sendai glass art created in the castle town of Date (Sendai) beautifully captures the gentle murmur of the nearby river and the shimmering surface of the water.
The four-panel sliding doors are designed to maximize the use of the horizontal space, drawing inspiration from the gentle flow of the Natori River that runs beside the facility.
▼Sendai glass artwork in the guest room © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
The calm and elegant design of the headboard quietly incorporates Sendai’s local traditional craft – small mustard seed pattern.
The bedboard, designed with a calm and refined aesthetic, subtly features a kokeshi doll pattern—a traditional local craft of Sendai.
▼Headboard incorporating a kokeshi motif © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
library
Library
▼Library overlooking the landscape © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Terrace
Terrace
The terrace is equipped with a footbath. Visitors can feel the gurgling sound of the stream and the breeze through their five senses, and enjoy the natural beauty brought by the changing seasons.
The terrace with a footbath allows guests to experience the gentle murmur of the stream and the breeze through all five senses, offering the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature as it changes with each season.
▼Footbath terrace overlooking nature
© Keishin Horikoshi / SS
space after bath
Post-bath Resting Area
The long and flying geese-shaped crossing is designed to symbolize the outflow and flow of water from the Akiu hot springs, stimulating guests’ expectations for the hot springs.
The corridor, characterized by its long, staggered shape, represents the flowing water of Akiu’s springs, symbolizing the natural water source. It is designed to evoke a sense of anticipation for the onsen experience.
▼Staggered corridor leading to the onsen
© Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Autumn preserves many ancient songs singing about the “Natori River” and “Gloomy Wood”. We designed a cool rest area in the hot spring area that allows people to feel the scenery of the Natori River and the “Gloomy Wood”, so that guests can relax and enjoy the tranquility and comfort of this natural atmosphere after bathing.
In Akiu, many ancient poems remain that mention the “Natori River” and “buried trees.” The after-bath relaxation area is designed to evoke the imagery of the Natori River and buried trees, providing a cool and calming space for guests to unwind after their soak.
▼Colors and textures in the post-bath lounge © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
spa
Hot Spring
The washed stone on the wall of the hot spring room is integrated with Sendai’s local Kokeshi pottery, allowing tourists to feel the unique culture and craftsmanship of Sendai while bathing.
In the onsen, kokeshi pottery was used for the finishing touches, creating a unique bath experience that allows guests to feel a connection to the local culture of Sendai.
▼Indoor bath and natural light © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Stone surfaces and timber frame in the indoor bath © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Onsen and timber details of hot spring space and timber structure © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Open-air bath and garden, Open-air bath and garden © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼The hot spring building at dusk, Onsen building at dusk © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
Dining room
Restaurant
During the Edo period, Date Masamune raised the profile of Sendai’s food culture, and Sendai rice and Sendai miso became famous. The restaurant is designed with rice as the theme, providing travelers with a pleasant dining experience and allowing them to experience Sendai’s unique food culture.
During the Edo period, Date Masamune helped elevate the reputation of Sendai’s food culture, with Sendai rice and Sendai miso becoming well-known. The restaurant design is centered around the theme of rice, offering guests an enjoyable dining experience while immersing them in the rich food culture of Sendai.
▼Restaurant reception and lighting details, Restaurant reception and lighting © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Window-side private dining room © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
World·Local music
Local Music Room
The space of the local raku uses tatami mats that follow the etiquette of the Date Domain, and the background wall incorporates the design of the “Koshiro Kanamaru Flag” of the Date military flag. The tourists sat around the table and tasted Japanese sake while feeling the drinking etiquette cherished by Date Masamune and experiencing the traditional drinking culture.
The local-style room uses tatami mats that align with the customs of the Date clan. The walls are adorned with a design inspired by the Date family’s military flag, the “Katsu-iro Kin no Maru no Hata” (Victory-colored Golden Sun Flag). In this setting, guests can gather around a single table, savoring sake while learning about the etiquette of the sake gatherings that Date Masamune cherished.
▼Long table and circular motif in the local music room © Keishin Horikoshi / SS
▼Project layout diagram, Site layout © kooo architects
▼Main building ground floor plan © kooo architects
▼Main building first floor plan © kooo architects
▼Onsen building plan © kooo architects
▼Standard guest room plan © kooo architects
Project Name/Project: KAI Akiu (Hoshino Resorts)
Project Type/Type: Hot spring hotel/Hot spring hotel
Design/Design: 小大Architecture Office/kooo architects
Completion: February 2024
Design Team/Team: Shinya Kojima, Ayaka Kojima, Keitaro Yasukawa, Yasue Nakamura, Kyohei Ogawa
Project Address/ Location: 1st Yumotohirakura, Akiho-cho, Taibai-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan/ Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Building area: 4,040 m²
Renovation area: 7,561 m²
Site area: 26,040 m² (including all facilities)
Photography/Photography: Keishin Horikoshi/SS
Furniture making/ Furniture: Tendo Mokko Co., Ltd.; seventh-code Co., Ltd./ seventh-code
Client: Hoshino Resorts REIT, Inc.
Materials: Washi paper, Akiu stone, kokeshi pottery, wind chimes
Website/ Website: www.ko-oo.jp
Email: kooo-contact@ko-oo.jp
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