Four Seasons Hotel Osaka will officially open its doors this August, marking the fourth addition to the luxury hotel brand’s Japanese portfolio. 

Situated in the Dojima district, the property has dedicated all 21 guest rooms on its 28th floor to deliver the city’s first ever modern ‘ryokan experience’. 

Ryokan refers to a traditional Japanese style of inn featuring tatami matted floors, sliding doors and communal baths, and while still prevalent in some parts of the country, it has become increasingly difficult to find in more urban areas. 

Guests staying on the Four Seasons Hotel Osaka’s ‘Gensui’ Modern Ryokan floor will be treated to a contemporary version of this authentic experience, complete with futon beds on tatami mats and a chance to join a local tea ceremony at the Sabo Lounge. There will also be an additional 154 rooms and suites spread between the 29th and 35th floors of the high-rise tower, which is also home to private residences and offices, for clients who prefer more conventionally Western accommodation. 

The hotel has been designed by founder of Curiosity Gwenael Nicolas, along with Shinichiro Ogata of Simplicity and Yasuhiro Koichi of Design Studio Spin. Guests can expect a ‘light and airy’ interior style with plenty of sunlight and views of Osaka, which is affectionally called the nation’s ‘water capital’.

A contemporary art collection curated by Japanese art historian Fumio Nanjo will also be displayed throughout the building.

A variety of dining options will be served at the hotel, including Cantonese dishes at the Jiang Nan Chun restaurant and French cuisine at all-day bistro Jardin. Treats can be ordered to take away at Farine, an artisanal bakery on the ground floor lobby, while handpicked Japanese teas are served at the first floor’s Cha lounge. There’s also a sushi restaurant and in-room dining, as well as a circular cocktail bar overlooking the city’s skyline. 

A spa and wellness zone can be found on the 36th floor of the hotel, complete with five treatment rooms, a sauna, a 16-metre indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. Private and public Japanese baths, also called ofuro, will also be offered in the ryokan tradition.