Project description

Tanuki Hotel sits directly across from the main Ooyu onsen in Nozawa Onsen. Originally built over a century ago, the timber-framed structure had been altered and added to over the years. With a rich architectural heritage embedded in its fabric, the project reveals layers of history as the building is stripped back to its structure. From weathered timber beams to hand-crafted joinery, each element tells a story of past generations and traditional construction techniques.

Vyvial & Co. provided a full suite of interior design and architectural support services for this renovation, working closely with local builders, craftspeople, and suppliers to ensure the project remained rooted in its cultural and geographic context. Respecting the original Shaku measurement system, the team retained as much of the existing structural framework as possible, preserving the integrity and proportions of the traditional Japanese architecture.

The design intent was to create a warm, welcoming environment that honours the spirit of Wa (和)—the notion of harmony—while also responding to the needs and expectations of a global clientele. Material selections, spatial layouts, and lighting strategies were all carefully considered to balance modern comforts with the understated elegance of traditional ryokan aesthetics.

By bridging the old with the new, the Tanuki Hotel renovation breathes new life into a building that has long been part of the Nozawa Onsen landscape.