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15. Sunrise Suites‘ Gardens – A story of an ancient traveler

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

Once upon a time, there was a traveler, on his on-foot journey to Kyoto. About when he had been traveling quite a while and started feeling weary, he came across a Zen temple. Although he was tired enough to not want to go out of his way and walk extra miles, he had not seen a temple of a Zen sect, and was tempted to see what that was like. He went in, and what he saw there was a rock garden was. It brought him a feeling that he had never felt before; his mind felt like it was being cleansed, and inside of him felt like it was being tuned.

While he stood there, just floating in the first-time feeling, he noticed that there was a bamboo forest in the back of the rock garden. Being solicited by the beautiful greenness of the bamboos, he walked into the forest. Although it was somewhat dark with the densely grown bamboos, strolling among them brought to him a deep calmness in his mind.

After a while, a little spring appeared, over which a small bridge spanned. By the bridge was a stela, which said “右はの野道、左は京への道” (The right is the way through fields and mountains, the left is a way to Kyoto). It seemed that Kyoto must be nearing, finally.

He kept walking, seeing pine trees and maple trees on the sides. Just past one, extraordinarily beautiful maple tree, was a tiny pond, where gold fishes swum.

“Is there someone living nearby...?” While wondering, he walked up the trail. When he reached a peak of the hill, there appeared one cherry blossom tree, in its full bloom. “Spring has come, while I had been heading to Kyoto from my hometown.” 

He looked around, and realized that a five-story pagoda was right there beyond the hill. He was almost in Kyoto, where he had been trying to reach for a long time.

Sunrise Suites gardens represent such story of an ancient on-foot traveler, who aimed to reach the capital city of the time, Kyoto. When you stay at Sunrise Suites, please do try going over his path and exploring the building, from the 1st floor to the rooftop.

Choose Sunrise Suites, feel the era of on-foot traveling, and enjoy your stay in Kyoto 200%!

 Next Story - “16. Sunrise Suites - Bells that creates a sanctuary”

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18. Sunrise Suites – Square Ceiling and Dry Garden Collaborating

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

When our first-time guests enter Sunrise Suites’ front door, they almost always cannot help just standing there, looking up and around, astonished by seeing the unexpected dry garden right when they thought they entered a building. One of the components of the unique feel of this entrance hall, along with the garden, is the square ceiling that spreads over the garden toward the other end of the building.

The square ceiling, or “Go-Tenjo”, is said to be the ceiling style of the highest formality, often seen at temples, shrines, and castles. The grids are assembled with woods and covered with wooden boards, and the structural materials are hidden, creating quiet feel and protected atmosphere.

Sunrise Suites’ square ceiling is what is called “Oriage Go Tenjo”, literally translated, folded-up square ceiling. It is made to be higher up from the surrounding walls, and its formality is even higher than the standard square ceiling. The grid’s wooden material curves up from the top of the walls, making the ceiling higher. The vaults toward the higher floors, the bamboos growing from the dry garden through the vaults toward the sky, and the rain chains coming down through the vaults collaborate with the folded-up ceiling to produce the space with the feel that extends freely, upward.

The unique, incomparable, one-and-only space where the beauties of Japanese traditional architecture and Japanese garden are united. Sunrise Suites is a very special accommodation that allows you enjoy Kyoto 200%.

Next Story - “19. Sunrise Suites – Bonus garden”

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17. Sunrise Suites – Copper lanterns

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

“It’s like the world of the animation movie, “Spirited Away”. I wonder what that building is…”

As the construction of Sunrise Suites approaches to its completion, people passing by after dusk could not help staring at the building, Japanese and yet like something of an oriental fantasy, standing out in the dark from the surrounding ordinary residential atmosphere.

In addition to bringing the respect to Toji temple into the design of Sunrise Suites, the founder also wanted to make it a place that brightens up the feelings of the people who come to visit Kyoto. Although actual temples often lock up their gates and do not let visitors in, many guests to Sunrise Suites would arrive in the evening or even later at night after exhausting long, long trips. The founder wanted such guests, when they find the building, to feel relieved to know that they are finally here.

Long ago, when people used to travel on foot, if the night came before they reached a village or an inn and had to keep walking in the dark, it was just a tremendous relief when they see a house with some light leaking out from the inside. The founder’s wish was that the hotel be the light that travelers aim for. So, the decision was made to put up a lot of lights to make the hotel findable from distance, so that the guests know their destination is right there.

To make Sunrise Suites literally “the light that travelers aim for”, many many, over one hundred lanterns were hang under the eaves of each floor. The lanterns were specially made for us by the craftsman of traditional Takaoka copperware from Toyama prefecture, where such craftsmanship has been passed on for over 400 years. Among various beautifully designed lanterns, some of them have a pattern with five-story pagoda illustrated, just the perfect design for Sunrise Suites, that respects and stands in front of Toji.

When you arrive in the evening, or when you come back from an outing during your stay, one hundred and fourteen lanterns welcome you to Sunrise Suites, your home in Kyoto.

 Next Story - “18. Sunrise Suites – Square Ceiling and Dry Garden Collaborating”

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12. Sunrise Suites - Japanese Garden

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

For Kyoto-visitors to feel Kyoto during their hotel stay and enjoy Kyoto to its maximum extent – the founder of Sunrise Suites had been designing Sunrise Suites like Kyoto’s temples and shrines, and the guestrooms to have the Kyoto-like ambience.

He, of course, was planning the gardens to be like those of Kyoto’s temples and shrines, so that the guests could feel that they WERE in Kyoto wherever they are at Sunrise Suites.

What should be placed in which part of the garden... and where... He was looking at many books and photos, and trying to picture what Sunrise Suites’ garden is to be like.

Then, when he took a look at one book showing Japanese gardens..., his eyes were glued to one page, with a picture of one Japanese garden. Who made this garden? I have to ask this person to create the gardens for Sunrise Suites!

The founder had someone look into who the person is. After their researches, it was found out that his name was “Tadakazu Saito”, who was an apprentice of “Mirei Shigemori”, the creator of Hojo garden of Tofukuji temple, and Shofuen garden of Matsuo-taisha shrine, both well-known historical heritages in Kyoto!

Would it really be possible that such a living-treasure make a garden for a private company? Everyone thought. But they kept looking for the way to get in touch with him, and finally found a gardener, who was taught by Tadakazu Saito. It’s getting very close! At the end, Mr. Tadakazu Saito made an offer to make the base plan for the garden, and the gardener taught by him was able do the actual works to bring it to realization.

Thus, Sunrise Suites’ garden was created by Mr. Tadakazu Saito and his descendant. Everywhere, inside and outside of the building, is a garden at Sunrise Suites, directly letting you know the changes of the seasons with the very Japanese biotope. The gardens became one of the most important components of the boutique hotel, that let you feel that you ARE in Kyoto and in Japan.

In the following articles, we will introduce to you Sunrise Suites’ gardens in more details. Why is there a rock in the Koi pond? What is the meaning of placing a dry Zen garden right at the entrance? How come each floor’s garden has different flavor? All the secrets of Sunrise Suites gardens will be revealed!

 Next Story - “13. Sunrise Suites’ Gardens – Koi Pond and the Feel of Kamogawa River”

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11. Sunrise Suites - Guestroom Ceiling Lights

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

The founder of Sunrise Suites, so earnest in designing the guestrooms for guests to enjoy Kyoto’s traditional beauty during their time at the hotel – was now thinking, what the lighting should be like in the guestrooms.

Japanese-style lighting is just everywhere at hotels in Kyoto. How can a lighting be something that assists guests immerse themselves into the feel of Kyoto? ...OK, I will get them made in shapes of motifs that have been popular since the era when Kyoto was the capital of Japan. I mean, shapes that remind the guests, relaxing on the bed and looking up to the ceiling, of the worlds of Tanka poetries and the literature of the time!

Thus, Sunrise Suites’ guestroom lightings were made into the shapes of fans, plum blossoms, maple leaves, and gourds, that had been popular subjects in Tanka poetries and other Japanese literature, and Japanese culture.

The lightings of first floor guestrooms were made into the shapes of fans. Although a fan is obviously a tool for fanning, it is also used, for example, to hide one’s mouth as a sign of politeness, or as a part of expressions in traditional performing arts such as Kabuki, Kyogen (Noh comedy), classical Japanese dance, and so on. It is not just a tool; it is an item that has grown into an important part of Japanese culture.

Plum blossom shape was selected for second floor guestrooms. Plum blossoms appear in various pieces of Japanese literature, including, among others, “Kokin Wakashu”, or “Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times” from Heian era, when Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Plum blossoms are what announce the coming of Spring to Kyoto, ahead of cherry blossoms’ arrival.

And, the most popular is the maple leaf shape in third floor guestrooms. What are outstanding about maple leaves are its delicate shape, and the beautiful color change in the autumn thanks to the drastic temperature change in Kyoto. Maple leaf color change has always let Kyoto know the arrival of autumn and then winter, since the ancient times.

The special shape for the third- and the fourth-floor family rooms is gourd. Gourd is said to draw in bad energy, and is worn as a protection charm in some Asian countries. It is also an item that is personal to the founder of Sunrise Suites, and he chose to use this shape to wish for guests’ luck and happiness.

Relax on the beds of Sunrise Suites, immerse yourself into the world of Tanka poetry, Japanese classical literature and culture, and enjoy your stay in Kyoto 200%!

Next Story - ”12. Sunrise Suites - Japanese Garden”

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10. Sunrise Suites – Furniture by Traditional Craftsmanship

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

People who choose to come to the ancient city, Kyoto, would want to enjoy Kyoto’s culture that has been nurtured for more than 1200 years, to the maximum extent possible during their stay in Kyoto. The purpose of their trip would be to immerse themselves into Kyoto’s culture throughout the entire trip. Then, I will make Sunrise Suites rooms so that the guests can appreciate Kyoto’s traditional beauty during their time at the hotel. The founder was enthusiastic about furniture selection for guestrooms.

The tables, chairs, and night tables for Sunrise Suites guestrooms are Kyo-Sashimono, or woodworking joints by Kyoto’s traditional craftsman, Mr. Yoshiaki Tamamura. Sashimono, or woodworking joints is a general name for furniture and fixtures that are made, without nails and other joint parts, and by combining wood pieces. Among them, Kyo-Sashimono, having developed with the tea ceremony culture, is said to be simple and sophisticated.

On the backrest of the chairs and the night table’s lighting portion is “Kumiko”, or a delicate and sophisticated technique of assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails. The Kumiko produces beautiful “Asanoha Monyou”, or the pattern of hemp leaf, which is used in Shinto rituals. Asanoha Monyou is one of the major Japanese traditional patterns, often printed on baby’s swaddling clothes for its protection power that it is said to have.

The handles of the night tables are hand-made and custom-made, specially for Sunrise Suites, by Kyoto’s metal work craftsman. The sides of the handles are shaped of gourds, Asian lucky charm that is said to draw in bad energy.

Also, the type of wood used to produce the tables, chairs, and night tables is Keyaki, or Japanese Zelkova, sometimes referred to as “The King of Woods”. Because of its strength and weight, it is used for temple and shrine architecture, main pillars and beams of houses, Japanese drum bodies, and mortars and pounders for making rice cakes. A bit of knowledge for Kyoto visitors is that the pillars supporting the large veranda of Kiyomizu temple are also made of Keyaki, or Japanese Zelkova trees that, surprisingly, are more than 300 years old.

Stay at Sunrise Suites, feel the atmosphere of a tea ceremony room from the furniture, think of the carpenters that have been building temples and shrines of Kyoto with Japanese Zelkova, and enjoy your stay in Kyoto 200%!

Next Story - ″11. Sunrise Suites - Guestroom Ceiling Lights"

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9. Sunrise Suites – Headboard Made with Traditional Printmaking

First time visitor? Start from “About Sunrise Suites”!

At Sunrise Suites, various pieces of Japanese traditional craftworks are elaborated and incorporated to bring its unique atmosphere.

On the headboard at the head of each bed is “Kyo-Karakami”, or wallpaper made with a method of printmaking originally brought from China, and then passed on and evolved in Kyoto for over 1,200 years. Initially, Kyo-Karakami was known to make calligraphy appear beautifully, and used for writing letters and poems on. In later era, it came to be used for sliding paper doors and as wallpaper for interior decoration, because of its sophisticated appearance and the variety that makes it suitable in any interior design.

Kyo-Karakami is a type of wood block print, in which traditional patterns are engraved on magnolia wood blocks. These wood blocks are passed on for as long as 180 years at the longest, and reproduced when damaged, to enable the patterns to be passed on further. The craftsmen carefully place onto the wood block, the colors made with shell powder, mica powder, and other traditional coloring materials. Then, the prints are created extra-carefully, so that the patterns are aligned perfectly and yet unnoticeably.

After a whole day of immersing yourself into traditional cultures of Kyoto, Kyo-Karakami wallpaper will welcome you back to your Sunrise Suites hotel room. Taking a moment to appreciate the beautiful patterns and the craftsman’s technique – you can stay in the feel of traditional cultural Kyoto you encountered on the day, until the moment you fall asleep on our comfortable Simmons bed.

Stay at Sunrise Suites and immerse yourself in traditional and cultural Kyoto, even during your time at a hotel. It is a perfect accommodation for enjoying Kyoto 200%!

Next Story - “10. Sunrise Suites – Furniture by Traditional Craftsmanship”

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5. Sunrise Suites鄰近的便利商店及超級市場

初次到訪我們的Tumblr嗎？ 來看看「關於Sunrise Suites」吧！

Sunrise Suites附近有幾間便利商店和超級市場喔﹗

Mini Stop便利商店（就在旁邊而已﹗） https://goo.gl/maps/C4Akzcyo4tFw9ocLA

Fresco超級市場 (往近鐵東寺車站方向步行只需2分鐘) https://goo.gl/maps/TwRqYep2hrp6Tato6

Lawson便利商店 (近鐵東寺車站前) https://goo.gl/maps/G1e2d2xftbxmDr8y9

讓您「感受京都」的精品酒店Sunrise Suites所提供的早餐是和式定食早餐。雖然客房內只配備礦泉水以及綠茶兩種飲料，但旁邊的便利商店也有售賣濾掛式咖啡、紅茶、麵包、日本酒、紅酒等各種飲料喔﹗

「早上一定要有咖啡﹗」的您，或是「早上不是麵包的話，感覺會吃不下……」的您，都請放心的光臨Sunrise Suites﹗

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