(Kanagawa, Hakone) Prince Lake Ashi

Hakone Architecture Walk 🚶‍♂️ The Prince Hokone ashinoko hotel A resort hotel overlooking Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi where "architectural beauty" and "Hakone nature" are in harmony. The exterior, which seems to have grown out of the natural Hakone earth, and the delicate and beautiful interior with meticulous attention to detail are the work of Japanese architectural master Togo Murano. The sunlight pouring in through the open windows of the iconic main lobby makes you feel like you are in a forest. The ceiling is a bright red carpet that narrows as you go up, elevating the space to a more organic one. The guest room building has a very unusual circular plan, and as you approach, you will see unique details of the tasteful columns and balconies that use curves like plants and living things. They are probably inspired by the shapes of plant petals and fruits. It is set in a vast lawn garden, allowing you to approach the lakeside while enjoying forest bathing, and it is a very elegant appearance that cannot be seen in recent architecture, with a use of space that would never be possible in the city center. Completed in 1978, this hotel is a masterpiece in Japanese architectural history. Of course, compared to the standards of today's luxury hotels, it is not sophisticated and the interior is simple, but we hope that its unique design, which makes use of "graceful curves" and "unvarnished nature," and its meticulously calculated space will be preserved for future generations.