Formerly Mikasa Hotel
Nagano Prefecture · Japan
Buildings like these are not something you see every day in Japan! That's why this lovely wooden structure, which used to be a hotel, was designated Important Cultural Property. Despite its pure western architectural style, it was entirely designed and built by Japanese hands in the late Meiji Era (1868 - 1912).
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Formerly Mikasa Hotel, an architectural jewel of the Meiji era and a symbol of the rapid Westernization of Japan. Nestled in the cool, forested highlands of Karuizawa, this magnificent wooden structure was…
Listen in the app2The Facade: A Masterpiece of Stick-Style Architecture
We stand before the main entrance of the Mikasa Hotel, where the full grandeur of its wooden architecture is visible. The building is a prime example of the 'Stick Style,' a late-19th-century Western architectural trend that…
Listen in the app3The Lobby and Entrance Hall: A Stage for High Society
Upon entering the lobby, you are immediately struck by the warmth of the dark wood and the sense of intimacy. Unlike the vast, impersonal lobbies of modern hotels, the Mikasa's entrance hall was designed to feel like a grand…
Listen in the app4The Dining Room: Culinary Diplomacy
The dining room of the Mikasa Hotel was perhaps the most important room in the building. During the Gilded Age of Karuizawa, meals were not just about sustenance; they were about 'culinary diplomacy.' The hotel's kitchen was…
Listen in the app5Guest Room 63: The Height of Meiji Comfort
We have ascended to the second floor to visit one of the most famous rooms: Room 63. This suite offers a glimpse into the private life of the hotel's most distinguished guests. …
Listen in the app6The Veranda and Garden: A Highland Retreat
Exiting back onto the veranda, we find ourselves in the space where the hotel met the mountain. The veranda is perhaps the most beloved feature of the Mikasa, offering a seamless transition between the architectural elegance of…
Listen in the app7The Legacy of the Mikasa: Preservation and Identity
As we conclude our walk through the Formerly Mikasa Hotel, let us consider its significance in the broader narrative of Japanese history. The hotel closed its doors to guests in 1970, after 65 years of operation. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we depart from the quiet, pine-scented grounds of the Formerly Mikasa Hotel, I hope you carry with you a sense of the elegance and ambition that defined this extraordinary place. We have walked through the 'Rokumeikan of the…
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What is Formerly Mikasa Hotel?
Formerly Mikasa Hotel is a place in Nagano Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Nagano Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 36.3731, 138.6262 |
| Last updated |