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HOTEL KANRA KYOTO
why

Kyoto is the Invisible Bridge Between Now and Long Ago

A country that is both near and far from us, Japan. The next place they wish to visit after visiting Tokyo, the capital of Japan and one of the world's top five cities, is Kyoto. While Kyoto has a similar pronunciation to Tokyo, it is a mysterious and attractive city where you can meet and feel the Japanese tradition, the real face and roots of Japan closer, a place where your feet and eyes keep touching after your visit. Praise that is more representative of Japan than anywhere else in the country. Due to its ability to provide an authentic experience of Japan, it is also known as the cultural capital of Japan. It is in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, where you can experience the deep-rooted Japanese culture of the country. Kyoto has a space that has been smoothed over time, interpreting the large framework of space in a modern manner, contemplating colors, lights, emotions of results, sustainable experiences with the region, and kindness. At the Hotel Kanra, you can meet Kyoto now and Kyoto from the past in one location, yet the boundaries between the two are blurred. Combined with the meaning of Khan, experience, and the traditional words of Raku and Kyoto, it offers an opportunity for you to experience traditional Kyoto.


people

Connecting Life, Region, and Environment Through Architecture

It is well known to those who work in space that UDS, a Japanese design studio, has a deep fan base. It is an international studio responsible for space planning, design, and operation. It has worked on a variety of hotel design projects, such as the Muji Hotel, Bunka Hostel Tokyo, Hotel Anteroom Kyoto, Yuen Hotel Tokyo, and Hotel Cappuccino (in Korea), as well as hotels and apartments. In designing a regionally based experience to treat space, and furthermore, utilizing it as an opportunity for local culture, art, and artists to coexist, everyone's happiness is taken into account. Additionally, the company's goal of "creating a village" is also noteworthy, as it intends to build buildings and spaces that are organically connected to the economy, environment, and operation of the village as well as the connection with the local community, thereby contributing to the community. It is important to preserve the basic values of buildings and spaces without sacrificing them.
Space is inevitably noticeable because of the mindset of those who do not stop thinking hard and long to create structures and forms that have not existed before. Their project reveals the consequences of the agony.


HOTEL KANRA KYOTO
location

A Thousand-Year-Old Capital, Kyoto.

In Kyoto, the Kanra Hotel has been the capital of Japan for almost a thousand years, and it is located between the main train station and the city, making it a convenient midpoint for travelers. As soon as you arrive at Kyoto Station, you can walk about 10 minutes to the hotel. A significant advantage of time efficiency is the short travel distance between the city and the accommodation. The Gozo Station, where you can take the subway to cultural sites and other tourist attractions, is within a few minutes walking distance of the riverside where the Kamo River flows, Gion Street, the center, and the cultural heritage site. As far as transportation is concerned, it is very accessible. Although it is located in a convenient location for transportation, it is surprisingly quiet in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. You can rest comfortably after a long day of travel. Additionally, it's close to locals' neighborhoods, so if you take a walk around the hotel, you can see the real life of Kyoto, not just a tourist attraction, and the Higashi Honganji, the largest wooden structure in Kyoto, is right next door, so you can see scenes from old Kyoto.

MAKING STORY

UDS has completed all phases of the planning and design phases on its own. Hotel Kanra was first opened in 2010 by UDS, with a concept of a traditional Kyoto house, known as a "machiya" design. Although the hotel's space isn't strictly a wrap-up, customers wanted to experience Machiya's traditional Kyoto house while staying and experiencing the space. Additionally, the Kanra Hotel, which reminds you of a Ryokan, is crafted with traditional architectural techniques and contains natural objects like wood, stone, iron, solid, and green, so you can experience the beauty of Japanese tradition while reinterpreting the entire space in a modern way. As an accommodation where you can feel gaps and relax, it's intended to provide comfort and convenience.

It wasn't expected to take 6 years from actual building remodeling to hotel transformation. Since the remodeling schedule was tight, I tried to airlift as many materials and items as I could from the area, which was hard.#
Hotel Kanra opened in 2010 and underwent a renewal in 2016. It has been 12 years since its opening. Before becoming a hotel, Kanra's building served as an educational entrance school between high school graduation and college entrance. As soon as the school fulfilled its role, the building owners discussed in depth what kind of buildings were needed in the area. As a result, UDS exchanged many opinions as it established building uses, plans, and plans in 2009. In those days, there were few Kyoto-themed hotels with Kyoto at the forefront, and there were not enough accommodations for visitors to Kyoto to relax after sightseeing. As a result, it was decided to construct a hotel rather than an apartment, which is intended for residential use.

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SPACE

A Simple Face, Meticulous Details, and Constant Hospitality

Upon entering this establishment, one is immediately struck by its friendly atmosphere. The moment you enter the modern building with a concise face, you are greeted with sincerity. In the hotel, one of the most memorable scenes was the hospitality of the people. The impression one gets from different accommodations can be difficult to determine. In the lobby from the moment of check-in, in the shop and bar spaces that form a natural connection, as well as in small work spaces for local artists, their sincerity is deeply embedded. There is a sense of it. As a means to co-prosperity with the region and support of young artists, you will be able to curate, arrange, and sell their works and local products, appreciate the low-key Kyoto landscape in the lobby, and partake in a sake tasting course. The lobby lounge consists of spaces of different roles gathered together to serve various purposes.

Once you have received room guidance, proceed to the floor of the room. Every hallway on each floor has a small garden, so I feel as if I am entering someone's home. You are captivated by individual doors that appear to be part of a traditional house when you walk with that feeling to the front of the room. Additionally, it is a four-dimensional space-time gate that takes the visitor back in time to Kyoto in the past. Open the door and enter after taking a deep breath. For the second sincere hospitality, the spacious space which is difficult to find in Japan (the most standard room is spacious with a long structure), the long Machiya-style structure, the Hinoki bath to relieve fatigue, and the warm floor finished with tatami are responsible. From the window, you can see both Kyoto Tower, the modern symbol of Kyoto, and Higashi Honganji, an architectural style with a traditional wooden roof. During this experience, you will be able to lie in a spacious bathtub, relieve the fatigue of your journey, and view Kyoto in its present and past eras at the same time. The hotel also offers an expensive Kyoto local product called QINUDE, which is made of silk and is accompanied by a yukata.

As well as the hotel's rooms and lobby, the Kanra Hotel also has two restaurants serving food prepared with regional ingredients. Located on the second floor of the hotel's basement, Kitchen Kanra offers breakfast in a variety of Western and Japanese cuisine, Italian menus, and a wide selection of wines from around the world. Hanaroku is another restaurant that offers Tepanyaki courses at a relatively reasonable price. With a detailed dish, you can taste the course of fresh ingredients ripening in front of your eyes. Additionally, there is a spa area. By releasing the image of a ryokan into each casual and modern space at Kanra Spa, you can also melt the fatigue of your journey and daily life.
INTERVIEW

stayfolio
HOTEL KANRA KYOTO
The overall feel of the building and the interior design are very impressive. Could you please introduce me to the Kanra Hotel?
Kanra was opened in 2010 and was renewed in 2016. It has been 12 years since the establishment of the company. Our team has completed everything on its own, from the planning stage to the design. The Kanra Hotel was the first hotel opened by UDS in 2010 with the concept of a "machiya" design, which is a traditional Kyoto house. Even though it is not exactly a hotel, we want our guests to feel comfortable and as if they are staying in a traditional Kyoto house in Machiya. Therefore, the hotel offers comfort and convenience as accommodation where you can relax.
I am interested in the hotel's design concept. Please let me know if there was any motif or inspiration.
A Machiya style design is used in the design of the Kanra Hotel. In order to achieve this, all the rooms have been elongated and tatami mats have been prepared. Machiya design is incorporated into the modern room.
It would be helpful if you could tell me what makes the hotel unique.
We are distinguished by the fact that all of our staff are concierges. In most hotels, the staff play only their assigned roles, but here at the Kanra Hotel, all hotel employees, restaurants, cafes, etc., are available to assist guests with any questions they may have. Rather than having no front desk staff, there is always a concierge on hand to assist customers.
If there are any special facilities or activities that are only available to guests, please let me know.
Currently, we offer tours. This is a program developed by Kanra Hotel staff familiar with its customers, and it is available only to hotel guests. A well-informed staff member in Kyoto can provide you with a two- or three-hour tour of nearby towns and cities if you make a reservation in advance. It is not uncommon for me to receive requests from customers who wish to tour. Kanra also offers traditional crafts made by craftspeople who collaborate with the company. Each March, they hold special events to display their elaborate works.
Is there anything you would like your guests to take away from the Kanra Hotel?
I hope that customers feel as comfortable in Kyoto as if they were at home. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of our customers. As a result, I am very pleased to see people returning. During their stay for two to three days, we always greet our customers warmly. We treat our guests with respect, but we also talk comfortably like family.
It is evident from the moment you check in that the hospitality is exceptional. You seem to have a unique operating philosophy.
Our basic philosophy is based on kindness and courtesy. It is also part of our commitment to service that we have been insisting upon since the hotel opened. It means more than just friendly. It means understanding what customers are like and understanding their personality as a true friend would. With the knowledge we have gained, we are able to make suggestions that are helpful to our customers, and I believe that this will lead to a satisfied customer experience. In addition, courtesy can provide a friendly and comfortable experience for our customers, which is also the best value we can offer.
How are you collaborating with the local community in order to create a space where you can coexist?
We organize local tours and visit temples and shops. Ask the owners of the store what the store is like, what they sell, etc., before introducing it to customers. Locally, there is a temple called Higashi Honganji in a small neighborhood near the hotel. It is one of the places I introduce to my customers. It is sometimes helpful to study the philosophy or religion of the temple in advance in order to tell a deeper story when we visit.
Would you be able to provide me with more information about Kyoto, where Kanra is located? What made you decide to live in this area?
Kyoto is commonly referred to as Kanra. As the name suggests, "Kan" means feeling, and the basic concept of the hotel is to enjoy Kyoto. As the UDS company itself is headquartered in Tokyo, I moved from Tokyo to Kyoto in 2009 in order to see more of the city.
Did the planning and design process go smoothly? If there have been any special incidents, please let us know.
It took six years from the time the building was renovated to the time the new hotel was opened. In accordance with the remodeling plan, I made a great deal of effort in order to meet my tight schedule. After remodeling, the concept of the building changed a little. As much as possible, I attempted to airlift ingredients from the region, but this was a difficult task. As a result, there are some ingredients and amenities that I am not able to obtain in Kyoto.
I am interested in Kanra's future plans. Are you planning to offer your guests' new experiences?
Rather than viewing it as merely a visit, I would like to view it as an experience. While it is nice to look around, taste the food, and shop, I believe the most important thing is what we create. I therefore always consider community-oriented experiences and events that offer more in-depth experiences, such as visiting craftsmen's homes or workshops to observe how crafts are made and participate in the process.
Is there anything you would like to add? Would you like to convey a message to the Korean guests?
Even though there are many Korean tourists in Japan and Kyoto, I regret not having had the opportunity to explore Kyoto in depth. My hope is that you will be able to enjoy your stay at KANRA comfortably and have an in-depth experience.

STAY’s recommended
Local Destination

Higashi Hongan-ji Temple

Near the hotel is Kyoto's largest and oldest temple. The building is also known as the largest wooden building in the world. You cannot believe the size of the building in the middle of the city even when you stand in front of it. At around 6 or 7 a.m., monks will tell you stories about this place, allowing you to have a different experience.

STAY’s recommended
Local Cafe

Walden Woods Kyoto

While walking in the alley across from the hotel, you can hear children playing in a local park. A cafe inspired by Henry David Thoreau's "Walden," a book about nature, is located just outside the park. This is a comfortable and special space that seems to have moved through the White Walden Forest where Soro lived. If you're looking for a cup of coffee roasted directly with a vintage roaster from the 1960s, you can find it here.

STAY

Evenly and Neatly Dividing the Time

Whenever you travel and journey, you are likely to encounter bumps in the road. In every trip that feels like walking on flat ground, there are times when you are unable to keep the schedule or reach the destination on time. A plan is simply a plan. Some people decide to return home after a rough day on a trip with two feet and one body or with a companion, believing that home is the best place to be after a long day. It is said that there is no place as comfortable as home. How nice it would be to have a place similar to home where you can stay in comfort.

With its unusual hospitality, the Kanra Hotel calms down anxiety elsewhere. Despite the fact that it has been quite a while since the opening, they remain dedicated to the service spirit as being the best value. In addition to being friendly as a friend, they take the time to understand the character of guests like a true friend. As a result, it soon becomes a satisfying experience, a comfortable place that makes me feel at home. The best compliment you can give your hotel is this one, isn't it? "A comfortable place like home, a comfortable stay." It is time to put that comfort into action and allow it to be colored by exotic and exotic cultures.


It is ultimately a result of their sincere stubbornness that they are able to make those who stay with the best goals and values reach and experience them evenly and neatly. As a guest house in Kyoto, the stay was not pleasant, pleasant, or pleasant. No matter what day you spend here, you will feel as if you are at home. By evenly creating the past and the present, it is in a completely different space-time. It is not sufficient to have a beautiful design in order to achieve a fine balance. The interaction between people and space, the interaction between time and experience. In terms of the overall aspect of their stay, their authenticity was evident
4 POINT OF VIEW

ORIGINALITY

Experiences that Go Beyond the Hotel

The basic philosophy of the hotel is based on kindness and courtesy, with the goal of providing an experience that goes beyond the duration of your stay. Each member of staff is able to answer any questions and inquiries in addition to performing their respective roles as concierges. The self-developed tour program, which is available only to guests, is conducted by staff members who have a thorough understanding of Kyoto prior to the tour. It's enough for a place where you can feel comfortable and convenient to travel and relax like home.

DESIGN

A Feeling of Being Drawn into Another World

There is a long and spacious space with a concept of Machiya design, a traditional Kyoto house design. It gives the impression that one has been sucked into another world at the entrance, but there is no sense of intimidation or unfamiliarity. Kind and warm. Each floor has a small garden owned by the Kyoto house, and each room has a different door to provide stability as if you have arrived at your own residence. As the border between the bar, shop space, and the lobby is blurred, the tension of arriving in an unfamiliar place is eased.

Hospitality

Touching My Heart with Its Heart.

Even if the space is excellent, the feeling that it is not mine cannot erase the impression that it is uncomfortable during the stay. It cannot be this comfortable. The employees who come and go are friendly as if they are friends, and the color and aroma of the workspace are soothing to the mind. It is inevitable that traveling will be uncomfortable. In part, this is due to the fact that it is difficult to let go of your thoughts, but some devices allow you to relax. This is due to the true valuesthat they instill here. Kindness and courtesy The truth is bound to touch the hearts of those who hear it.

PRICE

Accommodation's true virtues

This is an excellent location, but it is still tranquil. A panoramic view of Kyoto shows both yesterday and today, and you are able to enjoy delicious food and alcohol without having to travel far. As well, you can see the works and work processes of local artists that you must seek out on purpose, as well as take a rest like at home after a long journey. Despite the basic virtues that accommodations should possess, they continue to think about it for a long time and, sadly, accommodation is hard to find. It is possible to find such a hotel in Kyoto, Japan.

Stay Name
HOTEL KANRA KYOTO

Stay Type
Hotel

Contact information

Address
190 Kitamachi Karasuma-dori Rokujo-sagaru Shimogyo-ku Kyoto Japan

Guests / No. of Room
1~5 / 7

Price
US$ 193 ~ US$ 1,610

Check-in / out
15:00 / 11:00

Feature
Breakfast, Projector or TV, Tub (ex. Jacuzzi, Hinoki)

PHOTO BY Byeong-geun Lee, Hotel Kanra Kyoto | WRITTEN BY Moa Kim |