serenity in saga: onyado chikurintei inn blends nature + architecture in mifuneyama garden

the serene and extraordinarily exquisite onyado chikurintei inn is set within the lush mifuneyama rakuen garden in the historic japanese prefecture of saga. surrounded by dense wild forest, 500,000 square meters of landscaped gardens, and rare cherry blossom trees in the spring time, the ryokan — or japanese-style hotel — features eleven elegant, exquisitely-designed guest rooms, each bearing a unique presence and personality.

during designboom’s visit to teamlab’s monumental exhibition ‘a forest where gods live’ in mifuneyama rakuen, we stayed at onyado chikurintei and encountered a truly authentic japanese experience with an emphasis on the harmony between hospitality, design, and nature.

onyado chikurintei is set within mifuneyama rakuen garden in saga

the traditional architecture of the building, combined with newly renovated guest rooms, seeks to seamlessly integrate onyado chikurintei with the tranquil natural environment that surrounds it. upon entering, visitors are warmly welcomed into an intimate entrance area, where guests remove their shoes before stepping onto the tatami floor. vast, window-lined hallways lead visitors from the reception space to their private rooms, with transparent glazing seemingly bringing the outdoors in. the walk from the entrance pavilion to the guest rooms is a peaceful and poetic passage that offers panoramic views of the beautiful nature that surrounds the site.

the hotel is surrounded by dense wild forest and 500,000-square meters of landscaped gardens

within the hotel’s 495,000 square meter property are just 11 private guest rooms, each designed with a personal touch and unique sensitivity to the landscape. each space takes full advantage of its lush location and historic surrounding land, with room layouts maximized for spectacularly scenic views. onyado chikurintei‘s largest and most exclusive accommodation is the VIP ‘SHUHO’ room — a spacious and serene space that once hosted japan’s imperial family, emperor akihito and empress michiko in 1992.

eleven exquisitely-designed guest rooms each bear a unique presence and personality

the 250 square meter property boasts a spacious living space, dining area, newly remodeled western style bedroom, powder room, and private onsen. the ‘SHUHO’ room has the largest private outdoor bath on site — suitable for up to five or six people at the same time — and is the closest to mount mifune, affording spectacular views of the landscape.

the design seeks to seamlessly integrate onyado chikurintei with the tranquil natural environment

the hot spring town’s 1,300-year history is deeply embedded into the design of the hotel. apart from the rooms offering private onsens, guests can enjoy outdoor baths surrounded by bamboo groves and large communal bathing areas made of hinoki cypress trees and granite. historically, onsens have aided in the recovery of fatigue, muscle and joint pain. each of the hotel’s public areas seek to respond to the landscape, highlighting the thousands of trees and flowering plants and providing colorful views to visitors and guests within the space.

the VIP ‘SHUHO’ room — a spacious and serene space that once hosted japan’s imperial family

‘we want to integrate and coordinate with the seasons, nature, and the surrounding environment to create and share a relaxing and healing space,’ the inn describes. guests staying at onyado chikurintei can also visit the adjacent chaya tea bar in mifuneyama rakuen garden, and enjoy a refreshing beverage as they take in views of the mountain and surrounding landscape.

‘SHUHO’ features a newly-renovated bedroom flooded with light

from now through october 29th, guests at onyado chikurintei can also experience an immersive digital art exhibition in mifuneyama rakuen garden by japanese art collective teamlab. ‘a forest where gods live’ introduces an artistic dimension to the milieu of mountains, trees, and ancient rock formations, guided by the principle of nature as art.

each space takes full advantage of its lush location and historic surrounding land

14 immersive installations transform the park into an awe-inspiring, open-air museum. each digital experience is intrinsically interwoven with the environment, magnifying the shapes, characteristics and fundamental facets of the landscape. beginning at 8pm each evening, visitors can roam through the park’s seemingly-infinite trails to encounter teamlab’s interventions, participating in an enchanting nighttime art adventure.

the ‘SHUHO’ room has the largest private outdoor bath on site