Patina Osaka is positioned in arguably one of the best locations in Japan’s Osaka city. Located just one minute by foot from Osaka Castle Park, Patina Osaka’s location couldn’t be better. Standing directly across from the city’s most historic and enduring site, guests have front-row access to direct-facing views of the 400-year-old structure. It’s truly a sight to behold.

The hotel brand name, Patina, references the gentle process of oxidisation and patination, reflecting a timeless appeal in their approach to contemporary luxury. As the inaugural urban retreat from Patina Hotels & Resorts, developed from the award-winning Capella Hotel Group, the property is fresh and enlightening. 

Right upon entering Patina Osaka, a subtle fragrance creates an uplifting atmosphere. It’s familiar and homely yet provides as a sense of arrival. Harmonised as “a balance of tangerine, lime, and spearmint fused with soft jasmine and blonde wood, forming a sparkling citrusy fragrance with a gentle floral and woody finish”, immediately the senses are awakened right from the get-go.

Patina Osaka’s stoic structure was designed by Jun Mitsui & Associates Architects with interiors by Strickland. The interior concept was based on kisetsukan (the Japanese art of seasonal awareness), celebrating the subtle shifts of nature through site-specific artworks and understated yet sophisticated design codes. 

20-floors-high and encompassing 221 guest rooms, three dining outlets (Iñaki, Barin, P72) a bar (Sonata Bar & Lounge), a tea lounge (Nijiri), and a meditative Listening Room masterminded by New York-based creative Devon Turnbull (OJAS), the hotel is a modern reflection of “transformative luxury” through the beauty of travel led by music, art and wellness.

The interior details reflect a core inspiration from the property’s main neighbour, Osaka Castle. From the ground floor lobby mimicking the castle’s stone walls to large and impressive Setouchi stones positioned between lounge areas and walkways. The Castle itself features tiger motifs and the symbolism continues through very subtle visual details throughout the hotel.

GUEST ROOMS

Patina Osaka’s thoughtful interior design extends to guests rooms heightening material textures found in the washi paper-decorated feature artwork above headboards to woven carpets on top of soft, timber flooring. Wide-spanning glass windows frame the Osaka Castle view, an absolute delight to wake up to and equally fall asleep with, often illuminated in various colours at night. 

By guest room windows, a three-tatami seating daybed brings a chic recline to observe the direct view over Osaka Castle, whilst an in-room mini-bar and cocktail shelf allows you to enjoy your own preferred tipple in the privacy of your own room. Generously deep bathtubs are accompanied by aromatic bath salts alongside a feature wall of grey stonework belying the Castle’s perfectly-formed, impressive boulders.

Patina Osaka’s approach to sustainability is exampled in their guest room grey-toned bed sheets. The unconventional colour eschews traditional white linen, renowned for requiring copious amounts of strong chemicals and bleach to clean. In addition, guest room cushions utilise the sakiori textile technique crafted from repurposed curtain textiles. Sakiori is traditional Japanese technique as a woven fabric produced from worn out cloth and garments torn thinly and then woven tightly into clothing and other products for daily use. It’s an excellent example of the Japanese term mottainai or to not waste anything, and a stylish, innovative move from the hotel.

ART, MUSIC & DESIGN

Located beside the 20th floor reception and check-in counter, the Sonata Bar & Lounge occupies a west corner of the floor receiving breathtaking sunsets and daily sweeping views of the Osaka skyline and castle. With an outdoor terrace and DJ area (playing from the hotel’s 600 record vinyl collection), there is also an adjoining speaker room decorated by a wall of authentic, vintage speakers. Throughout the entire floor, an abundance of contemporary art and design creates a vibrant atmosphere. Shiga-based ceramic artist Tomonari Hashimoto’s stoic concrete and ceramic structure beautifully dominates one corner, whilst a wide-spanning earthen artwork by artist Wataru Hatano (integrating the soil from the building’s original site prior to construction) located near the bar counter heralds a reminder of the hotel’s ambitious beginnings.

Taking a curved, white and blue-gradient washi-coated staircase down to afternoon tea at the Nijiri Tea Lounge is an elegant affair, the experience inspired by the tearoom located within Osaka Castle. Located on the 19th floor, the Tea Sanctuary starts with the Patina Osaka Signature Blend tea, a harmonious mellow blend paired with yuzu citrus. Tea Sommelier Ayako has curated an exceptional offering, from exquisite organic Black Teas from Nara and Miyazaki to Kabusecha (covered tea) or Hojicha (roasted tea) from Kyoto. Meanwhile, the savoury and sweet dishes reflect Japan’s micro-seasonality and local ingredients — accompanied by delicious scones — led by Patina Osaka’s Culinary Director Antony Scholtmeyer. The location is also perfect to enjoy a coffee with beans from Kyoto-based Ogawa Coffee.

DINING

The culinary heart of the hotel is undoubtedly P72, an exceptional plant-based restaurant led by Patina Osaka’s Culinary Director Antony Scholtmeyer. Named after the nuanced and fleeting nature of 72 kō — Japan’s micro-seasons — the menu showcases hyper-local and hyper-seasonal dishes with modern flair. 

Japan’s 72 micro-seasons were borne back in ancient times, where the Japanese calendar previously divided their year into 24 periods based on classical Chinese sources. Examining early spring to the subtle changes of oncoming winter heralded the diversity of nature’s offerings. Taking inspiration from this as a guiding North Star for the restaurant, Chef Scholtmeyer celebrates these offerings from nature by creating his daily menu based on seasonal produce from farmers and suppliers, particularly from Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture.

P72’s menu is 70% plant-based, with the kitchen lined with jars filled with fermenting ingredients to a central vertical farm for micro-greens. Outside, the 100% pesticide-free herb garden grows over 7 types of different mint, edible flowers and other herbs used for dishes and teas. From their supplier in Awaji Island, a weekly box of 20kg vegetables is delivered to the kitchen where the talented team approaches the menu creation just like jazz — with spontaneity and innate creativity. Here nothing is wasted but viewed as an opportunity — citrus peels are retained for marmalades and vegetable scraps utilised for pickling.

At P72, don’t expect any signature dishes. Instead, they reframe the dining experience with signature services. For Australian-born autodidactic chef Scholtmeyer, his illustrious culinary background is rooted in an ethos that leads with a passion for supporting local farmers and using seasonal produce to craft dishes that celebrate the flavours of the land.

WELLNESS

Across 1400sqm and expansive views over the Osaka Castle, Patina Osaka’s wellness sanctuary could very well be the best in the city. Located on the 4th floor, the Patina Wellness features a fully-equipped fitness centre, versatile yoga studio, and tranquil indoor pool. Swimming across the 20-metre pool with prime views over the city’s most iconic landmark is a truly unforgettable experience.  

During the day, an abundance of natural light fills the space whilst at night, a thoughtful, warm illumination sets the space aglow creating a welcoming atmosphere. It’s the perfect environment to take a moment to inhale (whether together with one of their specialists for their Morning Breathing Exercise) or unwind with a stellar Signature Spa Body Treatment. With six spa suites offering personalised facials to spa treatments that allow you to fully release any stress and tension. Patina Osaka adds, “Through science-backed therapies and a holistic approach to wellbeing, we revitalise the body and nourish the mind”. It’s a bold statement but one they can certainly back up. 

Yet it’s Patina’s approach to progressive wellness allows it to stand out from the rest. The hotel’s holistic therapies are paired with impressive, advanced HealthTech. Offering unique treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen and hydrogen therapy, cryotherapy, far infrared sauna heat therapy to LED full body treatment that aims to awaken the skin’s natural vitality. 

During my visit, I witness the ancient and modern in perfect harmony. Upon arrival, I was instructed to stand inside a large, traditional singing bowl — handmade from seven metals: lead, tin, iron, copper, zinc, silver and gold, aligning the body’s seven energy centres (chakras) — then moved to a private treatment room where after a brief sauna to warm up my body, I then reclined into a German-made Unbescheiden Hydro Massage Bath — an invigorating experience that features a timed procession of whirlpool massaging, ergonomically shaped massage jets and coloured lights. Blending modern hydrotherapy and balneotherapy technology, the advanced system is currently the only one found within any hotel in Japan.

THE VERDICT

The hotel’s proximity located between Namba and Umeda districts, sees it in a quiet corner of the city that observes undisturbed views of the greater Osaka skyline and surrounding mountains. 

Vibrant creativity and mindful luxury is at the core of Patina Osaka, an intriguing urban retreat that is just starting to make big waves. 

PATINA OSAKA
3-91 Banbacho, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-0007, Japan

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Text: Joanna Kawecki
Images: As credited