The Concept: A "Dramatic Hot Spring Town." Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu Opens | TRAVEL
TRAVEL | Hoshino Resorts KAI Beppu
A "Dramatic Hot Spring Town" Designed by Kengo Kuma. Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu Opens, Offering a New Charm in Beppu Onsen, Oita
Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu has opened in Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture, on June 4, 2021 (Friday). Reservations are now being accepted.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
All Rooms Offer Views of the Beautifully Shifting Beppu Bay
Kai is Hoshino Resorts' nationwide hot spring brand. Following Kai Aso in Oita Prefecture and Kai Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kai Beppu is the newest addition, opening in Beppu Onsen, which boasts the highest number of hot spring sources and the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan.
The design was handled by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, utilizing locally sourced materials. It is designed to allow guests to experience the unique charm of the region.
The concept is a "Dramatic Hot Spring Town," inspired by Beppu Onsen's vibrant atmosphere, which was once likened to an "unfading city" due to its late-night bustle. The interior features stone-paved alleys illuminated by washi paper lanterns and spaces reminiscent of souvenir shops found in hot spring towns, evoking the lively atmosphere of Beppu's onsen district.
All 70 guest rooms feature a "picture window" offering a panoramic view of Beppu Bay. Simply gazing at the sky and sea, which change color beautifully throughout the day, makes time seem to melt away.
Foot Throw
Headboard
Room Lighting
To accentuate the colors of the sea, the interior walls, shoji screens, and bathroom glass are unified in a traditional "persimmon tannin color," inspired by the red of Beppu's famous "Chinoike Jigoku" (Blood Pond Hell). The headboards and foot throws feature "Bungo Shibori," a traditional dyeing technique that originated in the Bungo Province (present-day Oita Prefecture), showcasing the region's traditional crafts.
The large public bath offers both an open-air and indoor bath, allowing guests to enjoy Beppu's hot springs while admiring the seasonal flowers and autumn leaves. The indoor bath features two tubs: a "hot bath" with continuously flowing spring water and a "lukewarm bath" for allowing the mineral components to penetrate the skin. The water, a bicarbonate spring containing sodium bicarbonate, softens keratin and smooths the skin, while its high salt content helps to retain body warmth.
Among Beppu Onsen's more than 2,000 hot spring sources, Kai Beppu's water is said to be gentle on the skin, making it ideal as a finishing bath after experiencing various types of hot springs.
Beppu, blessed with both abundant seafood and mountain produce, offers a rich culinary experience. In the semi-private dining areas, where privacy is maintained, guests can savor kaiseki cuisine made with fresh, seasonal local ingredients, served alongside traditional Oita crafts and bamboo ware.
The "Hōraku Mori," a beautifully presented dish combining appetizers, vinegared dishes, hassun (a course of small dishes), and sashimi, features noodles flavored with "kabosu," a local citrus fruit, and is a visually stunning start to the meal. The main course of the special kaiseki is "Bungo Nabe," a hot pot dish featuring local seafood, chicken, and beef, slow-cooked in a rich broth that pairs perfectly with chicken. The addition of "kabosu" to the dense broth adds a layer of depth to the flavor.
This marks the birth of a "dramatic hot spring town" where one can fully savor the blessings of Oita and the hot springs of Beppu.
Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu
Opening Date | June 4, 2021 (Friday)
Location | 2-14-29 Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Guest Rooms | 70
Rates | From ¥31,000 per night (per person, double occupancy, tax and service charge included, includes dinner and breakfast)
