We carried out the interior renovation of the in-house restaurant at Hotel Kitanoya, located in Amanohashidate—one of Japan’s most scenic locations.
The restaurant is situated on the top floor of the hotel, offering sweeping panoramic views of Amanohashidate.
Previously used as a dining space, the area was renovated by integrating adjacent guest rooms and banquet halls, transforming it into a 300-square-meter restaurant.
To organize the irregularities of the existing floor plan, smaller spaces such as the entrance hall, private dining rooms, and back-of-house areas were strategically arranged along the existing indentations and protrusions.
Given the large seating capacity, a 40-meter-long, 1.6-meter-wide central passage was created to ensure clear lines of sight for staff and efficient food service circulation.
Excluding the private rooms, the seating area is divided into two zones: one facing directly toward Amanohashidate, and the other on the mountain side, which offers partial views.
In the Amanohashidate-facing zone, seats were spaced generously to create an open and airy atmosphere, allowing guests to fully enjoy the iconic landscape.
In contrast, the mountain-side zone was designed to be more intimate and subdued, using a system of lattice partitions to softly divide the space.
The partitions combine vertical hinoki (Japanese cypress) elements and horizontal black cherry wood, forming a woven pattern reminiscent of warp and weft.
These partitions are removable and can be taken down or reconfigured according to different spatial needs.
The original space included a distinctive quarter-spherical bay window. We responded to this by installing a corresponding form—walls and ceiling—in a mirrored position, creating a semi-spherical private dining room.
Interior finishes include Ōya stone, reddish porcelain tiles, hinoki, and black cherry wood.
Through this material palette, we aimed to create an atmosphere that is warm, clean, and quietly refined—neither overly formal nor too casual.