Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen opened in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture in March 2022.
Hotel Indigo is a lifestyle boutique hotel that illuminates the character of the city by incorporating the local culture and history. With more than 135 hotels worldwide, this is the third hotel in Japan, following Hakone Gora and Karuizawa, and the first in the Tokai region.
The rooms are sprinkled with Inuyama’s charms, the restaurant features local ingredients, and there is a natural hot spring that is said to be effective for beautifying the skin!
This time, I actually stayed at Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen. I would like to report with plenty of photos.
*Information is current at the time of the interview.
Please check the latest information of each facility and store before visiting.
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Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen
ACCESS
The hotel is located on the site of the former Meitetsu Inuyama Hotel, in close proximity to Inuyama Castle and the adjacent Japanese garden, Urakuen, famous with its tea ceremony house, Jyoan. The hotel is in a rare location, adorned by two national treasures.
▼By Train
・Nearest station: 7 minutes walk from Meitetsu “Inuyama-Yuen Station”
・Approximately 25 minutes from Meitetsu “Nagoya Station” by Meitetsu Rapid Express or Limited Express
・Approximately 55 minutes by Meitetsu µ-sky from Central Japan International Airport Station on the Meitetsu Line▼By Car
・Approximately 25 minutes from the Komaki IC of the Meishin Expressway
・Approximately 25 minutes from Komaki-Higashi IC on Chuo Expressway
・Approximately 25 minutes from the Gifu-Kakamigahara IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway
I was so surprised to be greeted by the mysterious bamboo grove and dry landscape garden that I thought to myself, “Is it really a 30-minute train ride from Nagoya?” I was surprised to be greeted by a mysterious bamboo grove and a karesansui (dry landscape garden).
Oda Yurakusai, a well-known tea master and brother of Oda Nobunaga, who built the national treasure tea house “Jyoan”, was fond of bamboo, which is why the museum also uses a lot of bamboo in its interior.
Large Windows Overlooking Inuyama Castle
“Entrance Lobby”
The open entrance lobby and lounge are located just outside the entrance. Large windows overlook Inuyama Castle. Inuyama Castle reflected in the water basin as a water mirror is a view that can only be seen here.
The carpet on the sofa seats represents the Kiso River and the table represents a sweetfish in a geometric pattern. Everyone enjoyed the view from these sofas.
The reception area features an art wall with a dynamic representation of a bonfire used in cormorant fishing.
The round window was designed as a tribute to the national treasure tea ceremony room “Jyoan”.
Motifs related to Inuyama are hidden throughout the hotel, so feel like you are on a treasure hunt!
The lounge has a “Resort Center”. You can consult with Neighborhood Hosts about your trip and hear the story about Inuyama. In addition, you can find great items such as traditional Inuyama folk crafts.
Enjoy the “Hallway Art”!
Artwork that links Li Bai’s White Emperor Castle with Inuyama Castle and imitates the colored clouds that appear in the scene.
In the corridor leading to the guest rooms, guests can enjoy artwork unique to Hotel Indigo Inuyama Uurakuen.
For example, this is a reclaimed artwork that combines ceramic art from the former “Meitetsu Inuyama Hotel” and plaster that mimics the flow of a river. It was inspired by a karesansui.
Graphic art of bird’s eye view of Nagoya railroad lines by Hatsusaburo Yoshida, which became popular from the Taisho period to the beginning of the Showa period. You can enjoy the scenery of the railway lines at that time!
“Rooms” Sprinkled with Inuyama’s Charms
There are 156 rooms of 6 types, all with balconies.
This time, we stayed in the spacious 51 square meters Urakuen Suite. From the open L-shaped window, you can see Inuyama Castle, a national treasure, and the Kiso River dynamically. I can’t believe I can enjoy such a spectacular view from my guest room.
Inuyama motifs are scattered in abundance throughout the guest rooms, including the art wall.
The tables and lamps are made of paper cords inspired by the braided cords used for karakuri dolls. The colorful designs are exciting!
The area rug is an image of camellia flowers, a favorite of Oda Yurakusai, scattered throughout the area.
The headboard was designed to resemble a wooden boat used for cormorant fishing, floating on the river.
The motif above the mirror in the washroom space is inspired by the gears of a karakuri doll.
“Inuyama-yaki” is used for the glass. Inuyama-yaki is said to have originated in the early Edo period (1603-1867), when a kiln was built in Imai, in the eastern part of Inuyama City. It is characterized by “unkinde,” or “cloud brocade,” depicting cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Only at Hotel Indigo can one fully experience the charm of the local area, even in the guest room.
This time we had a premium room with a view of the national treasure Inuyama Castle, but there are also rooms with a view of the “Japanese Garden Urakuen”.
Inuyama’s Only Natural Hot Spring, “Hakutei no Yu”
Another attraction is that you can enjoy Inuyama’s only natural hot spring, Hakutei no Yu.
Passing through the original noren (curtain), you are now ready to enter the hot spring! The geta-boxes, like those in old public bathhouses, are very chic.
The spacious changing rooms include a rest area and are fully equipped with towels and other amenities, so you can enjoy empty-handed!
There are two types of hot springs: an indoor bath and an outdoor bath. The Hakutei no Yu, which is said to be effective for beautiful skin, is an odorless, clean, clear, alkaline simple hot spring with a PH of approximately 8.5.
The open-air bath also overlooks a bamboo grove, and one can feel the pleasant breeze of Inuyama.
It was so comfortable that I enjoyed it both at night and in the morning.
A refreshing sauna and water bath are also available. Inside the sauna room, soothing music is played to provide a relaxing experience.
A Fitness Center is Also Available!
A “fitness center” is also available next to the hot spring.
With maximum consideration for environmental impact, the machines are made of renewable wood carefully selected from forests in the U.S. and Germany. You will have a new training experience with water resistance and self-propelled drive equipment that has no power source!
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