The True Value of Architecture That Defined the Showa Era (1926–1989):Experiencing Togo Murano's Architecture Firsthand

Located on the shores of Lake Ashinoko with views of Mount Fuji in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko blends seamlessly into the natural beauty of Hakone. As you take in the slow unfolding of the seasons in Hakone, the glimmering waters of Lake Ashi, the rustling wind, the lapping waves, and the birdsong all come together to soothe the spirit. Above all else, Togo Murano was committed to achieving perfect harmony with nature. In line with his belief that not a single tree or stone should be altered without good reason, the hotel was designed and built without cutting down any of the trees that grow densely on the land. The hotel’s exterior appears to be an extension of the trees lining the lakeside, while exquisite decorations line the beautiful interior. Together, they showcase Togo Murano’s meticulous attention to every spatial detail.

Sanyo-so Izu Nagaoka Onsen is a hot spring ryokan consisting of a main building built in 1929 as a villa for Hisaya, the eldest son of Mitsubishi Zaibatsu founder Yataro Iwasaki, and a modern Sukiya-style annex designed by Togo Murano and built in 1988. Likened to branches spreading outward with flowers coming into bloom, Murano’s annex design features multiple standalone guest rooms, each with its own private garden, linked by covered corridors across the vast grounds. While the entrance pavilion features the simple yet powerful form of a Japanese-style private residence, the 129-tatami-mat hall, Yuho, is distinguished by exquisite decorative accents that form an interior unlike any other, including a finely latticed coffered ceiling, a sophisticated ceiling design traditionally found in highly formal spaces.

Situated in the serene Rakuhoku area, regarded as an oasis within Kyoto, The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike was one of Togo Murano’s final architectural works. The rich, inventive techniques Murano cultivated over the course of his career can be seen throughout the building. Beyond the breathtaking architectural beauty of the exterior, graceful curves can be found everywhere, down to the finest interior details of the lobby and guest rooms. In the Sukiya-style tea pavilion nestled in a Japanese garden, guests can listen closely to the sounds of a waterfall and insects. In the one-of-a-kind oval banquet hall, the grandeur of the 9-meter-high ceiling and mosaic-tiled walls inspired by a forest will take your breath away. The hotel offers a luxurious stay immersed in a tranquil space nestled in the nature of Rakuhoku.