Summary
Studio Aluc renovated a 100-year-old Kyoto machiya into the Nazuna Higashihonganji ryokan hotel
The design preserves timber, earthen walls and reclaimed materials while adding modern comforts
Features include open-plan dining, hinoki baths, duplex rooms and tansu staircases, blending tradition with hospitality
Studio Aluc’s design for the Nazuna Kyoto Higashihonganji ryokan hotel reimagines a historic machiya townhouse into a tranquil retreat that harmonizes traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities.
Located directly in front of the Goei-do Gate of Higashi Honganji Temple, the 100-year-old building was carefully renovated to preserve its cultural heritage while reinforcing structural stability. The project connects two previously separate wings under a single roof, creating a unified space that reflects the layered history of renovations across different eras.
Spatially, the ryokan hotel balances intimacy with openness. A central challenge for the design was working with the narrow profile and limited natural light of a traditional building. Studio Aluc addressed this by preserving the original earthen floor (doma) in the west wing and connecting it seamlessly to small courtyard gardens (tsuboniwa) in the east wing.
The dining area and lounge are situated adjacent to these courtyards, a strategic layout designed to bring in abundant natural light despite the inherent difficulties of lighting a traditional townhouse. The meticulous craftsmanship of the past is highlighted in vertical circulation, where climbing the steep, typical machiya stairs reveals a long corridor with a high, sloped ceiling and low-hanging beams that require an adult to duck, showcasing former carpentry techniques.
The design also incorporates inventive spatial solutions, including duplex rooms spanning two floors and staircases crafted from tansu (traditional chests of drawers). These details reinforce the ryokan’s narrative of blending cultural heritage with contemporary hospitality.
By respecting the machiya’s historical essence while introducing modern comforts, Studio Aluc has created a space that allows visitors to experience Kyoto’s architectural traditions in a living, evolving form.
Nazuna Kyoto Higashihonganji
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi,
Kyoto-fu 600-8158, Japan
AloJapan.com