On October 16, JR West announced that the main building of the “Nara Hotel” (1096-14 Takabatake-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture), which it owns, has been designated as an Important Cultural Property (Architectural Structure). This marks the first time a single building of a hotel that is still in operation has been designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The Main Building of the Nara Hotel opened on October 17, 1909. It was designed by the Tatsuno-Kataoka Architectural Office, led by Kingo Tatsuno and Yasushi Kataoka, and is known as a facility that has hosted members of the imperial family and state guests.
The designation as an Important Cultural Property was based on a recommendation from the Cultural Affairs Council of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the site reportedly received the following evaluation.
・This is an authentic hotel building featuring a grand hall with a double-height ceiling and a large dining room. The building’s layout—with both wings projecting from the central section toward the front—and its elongated facade incorporate Western architectural techniques and proportions. The central axis and interior design are based on traditional wooden architecture, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship and refinement in seamlessly integrating Japanese and Western design elements.
・Built during the late Meiji period, when architects were exploring architectural styles that reflected regional and ethnic characteristics, this building holds significant historical value as a fusion of Japanese and Western architectural styles that harmonizes with the local landscape.
© Source travel watch