A Luxury Hotel That Will Make You Feel Like Royalty

With rich samurai history and a thriving manufacturing scene, Nagoya is one of Japan’s most intriguing — and underrated — destinations. It’s a city of contrasts, where the imposing silhouette of Nagoya Castle rises above streets filled with centuries-old artisan workshops, avant-garde galleries and sleek modern architecture.

The newly opened Espacio Nagoya Castle was designed to embody these contrasts. It sits across the moat from Nagoya Castle and stands in dialogue with the iconic landmark — it was conceived as “a castle of the 21st century,” with its sleek glass facade rising beneath a tiered roof that recalls the layered eaves of the historic fortress.

Centuries-old artistry, architectural mastery and meticulously curated experiences define every moment of the stay. Not just an ultraluxury hotel, it’s meant to feel like a living gallery: Each corridor, suite and public space is infused with hand-crafted works that celebrate the city’s rich artistic heritage.

Espacio Nagoya Castle: A Modern Castle in Nagoya

Entering Espacio Nagoya Castle, the “modern castle” concept becomes immediately apparent. Its hallways feature traditional kumiko latticework, folding screens and a coffered ceiling. The guest lodgings, ornamented with traditional crafts, are meant to recall an inner palace. Each one — from the plush, spacious Deluxe rooms to the soaring Presidential Suite — offers views of Nagoya Castle, towering amid lush greenery, or of the stunning cityscape. Onsen Collection rooms come with their own private hot spring bath; there are also six unique Art Collection rooms, each transformed into its own inner sanctum by a notable Japanese artist.

The interiors balance traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern design. Stonework textures, polished wood and intricate joinery meet open, clean lines, creating spaces that feel both grounded and expansive. Every element — from the grain of the wood to the subtle lighting — reflects a careful attention to detail, creating a feeling of modern royalty.

An Immersive Museum Stay

Throughout the hotel, over 400 works of art by around 50 artists are on display, many of them created by masters of traditional Japanese crafts. Bold paintings, textiles and sculptures are thoughtfully curated to complement the hotel’s design, inviting guests to wander through the property as they would a museum.

Works that reference the concept of “Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu” appear throughout the hotel. In Japanese, the term is a shorthand for kirin, phoenix, tortoise and dragon deities — all traditionally believed to bring good fortune and signal times of peace. Along the staircase of the main entrance, you’ll find an enormous mural by the renowned kimono designer Jotaro Saito depicting these four divine beings.

The halls and dining spaces are adorned with striking homages to Japanese motifs, mythology and seasonal beauty — a sleek white dragon rendered on canvas in plaster, gilded screens depicting pine trees and bamboo forests, intricate wood carvings of auspicious animals. This sense of studied and careful design continues in each room, particularly the suites and Art Collection rooms.

Dining at Espacio Nagoya Castle

At Espacio Nagoya Castle, dining is treated with the same reverence as the hotel’s art collection. The fourth-floor restaurant floor gathers a suite of exceptional culinary experiences, each shaped by a master of their craft.

Brillance, guided by Shuzo Kishida of the three-Michelin-star Quintessence, offers an omakase-style French menu that spotlights Tokai ingredients with meticulous, almost architectural precision. Elsewhere on the restaurant floor, the focus shifts to Japanese cooking in its many forms. At Jo, Michelin starred chef Hiroshi Sasaki presents counterstyle Japanese cuisine. Owari Sui Inaba serves refined kappo meals and delicate tempura, while Shoryu by Ukai-tei offers a polished teppanyaki experience centered on regional produce and premium beef.

The aptly named Chinese Restaurant Ryujo Nagoya Castle offers elegant Cantonese dining centered on seasonal seafood and delicately executed dim sum, while Sushishunbi Nishikawa presents Nagoya-style sushi at a counter facing the historic landmark, each piece assembled with a light, precise hand. Across all venues, the approach is consistent: exceptional ingredients, exacting craftsmanship and a sense that every meal — like the hotel itself — is designed to be extraordinary.

Wellness at Espacio Nagoya Castle

As well as offering an artful stay, Espacio Nagoya Castle is committed to holistic wellness, encouraging guests to treat the property as both a mental and physical sanctuary. Through tranquil spa rituals and thoughtful wellness facilities, the hotel invites visitors to slow down and reset.

The spa’s treatment menu draws on traditional healing methods and unique techniques as well as seasonal Japanese herbs, with restorative therapies designed to melt tension and renew the senses. Guests can slip into the shimmering mosaic-tiled pool or stretch out on the cabana-style daybeds by the water, enjoy a workout in the expansive state-of-the-art gym or unwind in the beautifully illuminated natural hot spring baths and saunas.

Part gallery, part Michelin-level dining destination and part wellness hideaway, Espacio Nagoya Castle reimagines what a city hotel can be — and in doing so, it makes this historic castle city an even more compelling place to linger.