Raw concrete design hotel
The gutted concrete structure operates as a communal living room for the city, filled with site-specific contemporary art.
“This boutique hotel is a canvas of creativity in central Maebashi, its gallery-like interiors promising immersive stays like no other.”
What it’s good at
Exceptional
A skylit raw concrete atrium with glowing pipes, beside a turf-covered hillside tower.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in The 50 Discovery and Wallpaper*.
The verdant and artistically rich city of Maebashi is home to the utterly unique Shiroiya Hotel, housed in a 1970s-era concrete building redesigned by architect Sou Fujimoto.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Arts Maebashi sits two minutes away on foot, and walking paths trace the nearby banks of the Tone River.
The rooms
Every bedroom displays a unique original artwork, while Green Tower rooms open onto balconies cut into the grassy slope.
The Finnish sauna
Pale vertical wood slats line the Finnish sauna, set beside a stone cold plunge tub inside the Green Tower.
The sauna suites
Separate private suites house an herbal mist sauna and a bedroom-style sauna, with tiled walk-in shower rooms.
At the table
Hiro Katayama crafts French dinners from Gunma ingredients, and the Green Tower hides a six-seat cedar cocktail counter.
A striking installation, Lighting Pipes, by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich, weaves its way in and out, around the concrete pillars and sculptural staircase
How it began
The site hosted a ryokan for three centuries before entrepreneur Hitoshi Tanaka saved its derelict concrete successor from demolition.
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Good to know
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Shiroiya Hotel
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.