KYOTO–Hailed as an architectural masterpiece from the early Showa Era (1926-1989), the former Narutakiryo residence in the city’s Ukyo Ward has been renovated into a luxury hotel.
Operated by Hotel New Awaji Co., based in Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture, Hotel Utano Kyoto Bessho opened in November 2024.
The historical structure was built in 1939 as a residence for an executive of the now-defunct Kyoto Electric Light Co., according to city officials and other relevant parties.
It is equipped with a garden created by acclaimed garden designer Mirei Shigemori.
The residence was handed over to the city government, which used the building as a retreat for its transportation bureau after World War II.
The property was sold in 2015 before changing hands.
Hotel New Awaji bought the land and the residence in 2019 and spent about 1.7 billion yen ($11.1 million) to restore the mansion, which stands on a 3,158-square-meter plot.
The hotel with 10 guest rooms consists of three buildings: the main building that blends “shoin-zukuri” and “sukiya” architectural styles; a Western-style Art Deco building; and a new building.
“We faithfully renovated it based on historical documents in the hope of reigniting this light in the community that had gone out,” said Koji Kinoshita, vice president of Hotel New Awaji Group.
AloJapan.com