toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto

merging tradition and modernity, the project welcomes visitors to a scenic setting that has almost never been open to the public.

myrto katsikopoulou January 6, 2023 3 min

toyo ito-supervised lodging in ‘Kosei-in’ temple

A new lodging and dining hall is opened on the grounds of the private ‘Kosei-in’ temple in central Kyoto, Japan, under the supervision of Pritzker Prize winner Toyo Ito. Designed by Japanese architect Michiko Okano, the project transforms the pre-existing structures into a new homestay and restaurant combining tradition and modernity. The resulting complex welcomes visitors to a scenic setting that has remained unchanged since the Edo period and has almost never been open to the public. In order to preserve the beauty of the private temple and its garden, the accommodation accepts only 100 groups of guests per year.

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 1 — the entrance of the restaurant | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

stepping into a private scenic landscape

Located in the heart of the city, the Kosei-in temple serves as a popular religious site visited by many locals and tourists. Once guests enter the premises, they are surrounded by lush greenery and hear the peaceful sounds of trickling pond water and the rustling of leaves on the trees. The new temple lodging called ‘Shukubo Kanetsune’
can be used to accommodate one group per day to ensure that the landscape is preserved and protected.

‘As soon as you set foot on the grounds of Kosei-in, time goes back in a blink of an eye, and the atmosphere of 130 years ago is there. You will fall into the illusion that you are staying. Maybe it’s because it’s a special space where only we are there, even though it’s in the middle of the city.’ share the representatives of Shukubo Kanetsune and Restaurant ICHIFUNE Operation, who are behind the project.

Designed by Michiko Okano (find more here) and overseen by Toyo Ito (find more here), the temple lodging has been renovated to create a space where heritage and modernity merge seamlessly. The entire building is rented out so that guests can experience the Kyoto life that they cannot experience in a hotel. If they rent out the cafeteria in the annex, you they have a completely private space, and be the only ones to enjoy the tranquil garden and cozy atmosphere of the interiors.

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 2 — the complex welcomes visitors to a scenic setting | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 3 — viitors are surround by the peaceful sounds of trickling pond water and rustling leaves | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 4 — lush greenery surrounds the premises of the private temple | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 5 — the autumn leaves in the garden | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 6 — the counter seats in the dining hall overlook the lush surroundings | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 7 — large windows allow visitors to be in direct contact with the garden outside | image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 8 — the Kosei-in temple serves as a popular religious site visited by many locals and tourists | image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune

toyo ito supervises new lodging & dining hall design within scenic private temple in kyoto - 9 — the project includes the renovation of the existing structures | image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune

image courtesy of Japan Floral Planning Co image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune image courtesy of Kyoto Kanetsune

project info:

name: Shukubo Kanetsune & Dining room ICHIFUNE
architect: Michiko Okano
supervisor: Toyo Ito
location: Kosei-in, Kyoto, Japan