Japan’s Tottori prefecture, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan within the Chūgoku region, is one of the country’s most unassuming regions offering an exceptional depth of craft, history and nature. 

In the historical town of Kurayoshi, renowned for its red-tiled, white-walled and burnt-cedar clad buildings and famed surrounding hot spring areas, a new luxury hotel aims to showcase the beauty of the quiet region. Kazeno Kurayoshi, under the newly-developed brand Kazeno Heritage, presents a historic ‘retreat’ hotel focussed on restorative wellness, incorporating nutrition-led dining within the hotel’s historic sites.

Leading with the philosophy of a sanctuary of myths, crafts, and luxury, the hotel is comprised of 10 unique Guest Rooms ranging from 46sqm2 to 126sqm2, in addition to an expansive Suite standing at an expansive 164sqm2.

Located across two historic buildings, the Ogawa Residence (a Tottori Prefecture Designated Protected Cultural Property) and the former Takata Residence (a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property) are both just a short 2 minute walk between the other, allowing guests to stroll through and enjoy the surrounding locale. The Ogawa Residence includes six guest rooms, the hotel front reception and lounge and the adjoining main hotel Suite. In the Takata house, five more guest rooms are found along with the hotel’s main dining room where both dinner and breakfast can be enjoyed.

Craft and design emanate throughout every crevice — artworks by artisans; Straft, Atelier Saon, Wataru Hatano; to selected furniture from Matsumoto Mingei, bamboo and paper lanterns from Ozeki and Tottori ceramics sourced from charming local craft shop Cocorostore. Staff uniforms are sophisticated in a stone-grey tone designed by Takayuki Kono of Tokyo-based fashion brand Undecorated and creative agency nōkostudio.

The Ogawa Residence, now referred to as Kazeno Kurayoshi’s Front Building, was formerly well known to locals as one of the most prominent merchant family buildings in the area. Operating as a former sake brewery constructed in the Meiji period, the complex includes remaining large storehouses and a timber building with exquisitely-crafted guest rooms used to previously host esteemed visiting guests. Now in the present day, the hotel has preserved these exceptional details and elevated them for modern appreciation.

Here, travellers can now stay in guest rooms rich in traditional Japanese architectural detailing, discovering intricately-carved ranma transoms, beautifully-painted fusuma sliding doors, tsuchi-kabe earthen clay walls, soft tatami flooring to light-filtering shoji washi paper screens. The property renovation with approach with a minimalist and respectful sense, aiming to preserve the rich history of the site whilst rearranging spaces for comfortable navigation and elegantly incorporating seismic support so beautiful it acts as a design feature itself.

Each of the guest rooms are equipped with an original aroma and a white Hizen Yoshida porcelain egg nestled in a woven straw bed crafted by artisan Straft. It’s a perfect way to enhance the senses and bring a sense of calm. Bathrooms are designed in fragrant hinoki wood, with wide vanities and a luxurious Towada stone bathtub. Body care amenities include silk-infused body wash, shampoo and conditioner, leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated.

The Takata property, now with five guest rooms located in the rear storehouses, and a main dining room seating 38 in the front timber building showcasing it’s historically-rich construction with large, exposed beams and pillars for both guests and outside visitors to enjoy. The restaurant offers two distinct courses led by a core philosophy of yakuzen cuisine (supporting health through seasonal foods) with umami-rich, gluten-free dishes. For breakfast, guests can expect local vegetables and fruits nurtured by the pure water and soil of Kurayoshi, along with yogurt, designed to restore balance and well-being to both body and mind.

There’s never a dull moment whilst staying at the property with an excellent offering of off-site activities that immerse guests in the diversity of the region. Activities include Kazuwa ware pottery making or Gasuri textile weaving experience to forging an iron paper knife with a third-generation blacksmith in his family’s storied workshop where they have been forging traditional farming tools for over 129 years.

For nature or architecture lovers, hiking up the 900m-high sacred Mount Mitoku with an experienced guide is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Close to the mountain’s peak are a series of wooden structures that have been built over 900 years ago, notably the Nageire-do hall, designated as a national treasure, that is said to be one of Japan’s oldest Shinto structures, nestled within a cave built on the edge of a 500 meter high cliff. It’s a remarkable sight to behold. Please note that climbing the sacred, rugged mountain requires essential preparation — suitable equipment is confirmed upon entry to the mountain — requiring durable hiking boots, mountain gloves and clothing that covers all exposed skin is required.

As Kurayoshi is surrounded by four famous hot spring areas — Togo, Hawai, Misasa, Sekigane — guests can easily access any of the neighbouring onsen towns by car. When on foot, a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride takes you to Kurayoshi Shirakabe Dozo-gun, the region’s renowned white-walled, red-tiled town abundant with Meiji era and Edo Period homes and buildings. Meanwhile closer to the hotel, the neighbouring traditional Japanese garden, Kansui-en, is simply stunning to visit where director Nerei — a fantastic and friendly character — serves visitors Japanese matcha green tea and seasonal nerikiri sweet.

Kazeno Kurayoshi is one of Japan’s leading gems, immersing guests in the beauty of traditional Japanese craft culture and history — notably in a comfortable, sleek and modern structure — nestled in the nature-led destination of Tottori.

Kazeno Kurayoshi
1969 Kawaramachi,
Kurayoshi City,
Tottori Prefecture
JAPAN

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Text: Joanna Kawecki
Images: Champ Creative / IMI JAPAN