In 2013, Park Hotel Tokyo, perched on one of Shiodome’s landmarks, celebrated its 10th anniversary, and to commemorate this milestone, they initiated the Artist in Hotel project. Late last year, on our first-ever trip to Tokyo, we had the privilege of staying in an Artist Room called Washi by Naoki Takenouchi, and we thought it was a cultural experience in itself. Read more…
Park Hotel Tokyo, a member of Design Hotels, has been celebrated for its impeccable architecture and interior design. And because of its commitment to Japanese beauty, it launched ART colours, a series of projects aimed to provide cultural experiences through art. Through it, the hotel refreshed its atrium and restaurants with stunning art pieces, making them seem more like galleries.
The vision is reinforced through the Artist in Hotel project. Local artists have been invited to share their talents by designing a guestroom each on the 31st floor of the hotel. As of this writing, 16 rooms have already been redesigned, with the remaining to be accomplished by 2016.
Among the Artist Rooms we saw were Festival by Nanami Ishihara, Yokai by Nobuo Magome, and Sumo by Hiroyuki Kimura. But as mentioned, we went for one of the more minimalist ones—Washi (Japanese Paper Garden) by Naoki Takenouchi.
Naoki Takenouchi is a woodcut print artist from Kagoshima Prefecture. He has held exhibitions in both Tokyo and New York, received an International Art Promotion Grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and collaborated with fashion designers for a Japanese street runway show.
Staying in the hotel for more than two weeks, Takenouchi drew inspiration from the view of the urban landscape from his room. He said:
"Japanese paper, which lends itself to so many forms of expression, is a perfect material for me to work with. Using the unique features of Japanese paper, passed down to us from ancient Japan, I stuck it on the walls, or printed on it with woodblocks and stuck those papers on the walls, or twirled it around and around to make lamp shades. I wanted to create an amusing room and with 108 demi-gods arranged to symbolize the famed Japanese God of Wind and God of Thunder, I hope I have achieved this.”
And we found the execution of his vision to be absolutely wonderful. Laid out perfectly, the 36-square meter space with its minimalist charm felt easy on the eyes, and the relaxing earth colors matched the winter outside. Plus, the elements of Japanese aesthetics were truly apparent.
As for the room’s features, it came equipped with a comfortable king bed, a living area, a handsome desk, adjustable air conditioner, mini bar with coffee and tea making facility, an LED TV with English channels, and complimentary wired and wireless internet. As for the spotless bathroom, it had a tub, an automated toilet, and a set of towels and THANN bath amenities.
Staying in the room a couple of nights, not only did we feel rejuvenated after days of touring the megacity but we also found the room an extension of our travel experience. The art within is a true embodiment of fascinating Japanese culture, as with the masterpieces the other Artist Rooms the Park Hotel Tokyo offers.
PARK HOTEL TOKYO
Shiodome Media Tower, Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: +81 3-6252-1111
Website: en.parkhoteltokyo.com
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