Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto is the 19th property operated by Hoshino Resorts under the hot spring ryokan brand, KAI, and will be opening on January 14, 2022 in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. This is the first KAI property in Hokkaido and its concept is “a hot spring ryokan with a cone-shaped bathhouse surrounded by Lake Poroto.” It is characterized by the design in which the lake is boldly drawn into the premise, and all guest rooms will have view of the lake.
Shiraoi Onsen is where moor spring, containing organic minerals derived from plants and is rare among the worlds, can be found. KAI Poroto is located on the edge of Lake Poroto, which is surrounded by the natural forests of Hokkaido, home to many wild birds. With respect to Ainu culture and the Ainu people, indigenous to Hokkaido, the architecture, art, and décor of the property were created by architect, Hiroshi Nakamura. By boldly drawing the lake into the premises as part of the facility, guests will be able to feel close to the lake. “Poroto ko” means “big lake” in the language of Ainu.
The building was inspired by “Poroto-kotan”, which is the village of the Ainu people. The bathhouse is unique to this property, which incorporates “ketunni,” known as traditional houses for the Ainu people, where the tripod structure is vital for supporting the roof.
KAI Signature Rooms are called “Shikaku-no-ma” and in Japanese, it is written □間. This use of shapes is inspired by the unique Ainu culture, which does not use letters. All of the guest rooms face Lake Poroto and were inspired by “chise,” a typical type of house for the Ainu people. All four room types have tables inspired by a square fireplace at the center of traditional chise. This was made in the hopes that guests can surround the fireplace for an enjoyable time. The interior is decorated with wooden oars inspired by the life of the Ainu people, and the walls and cushions are decorated with Ainu patterns. From the rooms, guests can see the calm Lake Poroto and the natural forest with white birch and maple trees. The interior design that is inspired by Ainu culture and the presence of white birch logs in the room will make one feel at one with the local culture and surrounding nature.
The hot spring of KAI Poroto is moor spring. Moor springs contain organic minerals derived from plants and are characteristic of their dark brown color. Humic acid and fulvic acid, which conditions the skin and are both used in cosmetics can be found in the spring water so moor spring is also called the “springs of beauty.” In addition, since the spring quality of KAI Poroto is alkaline, the metabolism of the skin is enhanced by the removal of dead skin cells and as a result, smooth skin can be attained after bathing. Spring quality: Alkaline, pH 8.82
At KAI Poroto, there are two large public baths called “Sankaku-no-yu” and “Maru-no-yu” and in Japanese, it is represented as △湯 and 〇湯, respectively. Similar to the name of the KAI Signature Rooms, this use of shapes is inspired by the unique Ainu culture, which does not use letters. Sankaku-no-yu is located inside the cone-shaped bathhouse and has an indoor bath and an outdoor bath. The architectural characteristic of Ainu culture, “ketunni,” a tripod structure using logs, is the basic structure of the bathhouse. There are two indoor baths, the “Atsuyu” (hot water), which flows directly from the source, and the “Nuruyu” (warm water), which calms the mind and body with its warmth. In the outdoor bath overlooking Lake Poroto, guests can enjoy the scenery that changes from season to season, such as fresh green, autumn leaves, and snow in the open air.
Compared to the open-air Sankaku-no-yu, the “Maru-no-yu” is a space that makes one feel as if they are in a cave or underground. It is designed so that guests can imagine the moor spring flooding out from the earth, which creates an atmosphere within the bathhouse. At the top of the dome ceiling of the indoor bath, there is a round hole that connects to the environment outside, where soft light enters to illuminate the bathhouse.
Dining
Kaiseki course meals are served at semi-private dining rooms of KAI Poroto and use Hokkaido’s specialty ingredients. The course starts with pressed potatoes with salmon roe and sea urchin on top.
This is followed by a selection of appetizers of Japanese pickles and sashimi, presented on a wooden boat-shaped plate inspired by the wooden boats used during trade by the Ainu people. The main dish for the special Kaiseki course meal is a hot pot using crab and scallops. The rich bouillabaisse soup is made by stewing seafood with the addition of crab and scallops which are specialty ingredients of Hokkaido.
Name: Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto
Location: 1-1018-1 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi, Hokkaido
Number of Rooms: 42
Facilities: Lobby, dining, travel library, shop, “Yuagari lounge,” Public bath – “Sankaku-no-yu” and “Maru-no-yu”
Price: Starting from 28,000 JPY per night per person in a 2 person room (includes tax and service charge, breakfast and dinner)
Direction: 15 minutes by walk from JR Shiraoi Station, 40 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport
Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaiporoto/
Photos: Hoshino Resorts
