Rakusui Rakuzan

This is a renovation of the cafe and bar at Chigira Jinsentei, a traditional hot spring inn established in 1502 in Ikaho, Gunma. The kitchen was expanded and the layout was changed to serve breakfast and dinner. The windows overlook the mountains, which are colored with autumn leaves in fall. The seating and counter were rearranged to be parallel to the windows so that the guests can feel the seasons. The original 4-meter bar counter was replaced with a 6-meter solid top, and the existing plaster block was cut out and relocated to the cash register counter in front of the entrance. In order to maintain the overall atmosphere, the colors of the walls and beams were matched to the existing ones. We aimed to maintain the atmosphere of an inn with a history of more than 500 years, while providing an opportunity to attract new customers.