Tracing 90 Years of RIHGA Royal Hotel History vol.4
“Creating a modern hotel for distinguished guests in Osaka”… In response to requests from Osaka’s political and business establishment, the Hotel New Osaka, predecessor of the RIHGA Royal Hotel, was established in 1935 as a project symbolizing the “Great Osaka” era. Since then, the RIHGA Royal Hotel has continually evolved with changing times and built up a tradition. Here we trace its 90-year history.
ROYAL HISTORY Vol. 4: Fashion, Culture, Health… At a ‘City’ Called Royal — Birth of the New Wing
Aiming to be the top hotel in the Orient
During Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, the Osaka Royal Hotel bustled with many guests, and by 1967 (Showa 42), just two years after opening for business, plans for a new wing began to emerge. In June 1970 (Showa 45), during the Japan World Exposition held in Osaka (EXPO ’70), a press conference was held to announce construction of the new wing, and actual construction began in March 1971 (Showa 46).
The plan was to build a new wing with 30 floors above ground and two basement levels immediately to the east of the existing main building (now the West Wing), with approximately 1,600 guest rooms and a capacity of 2,600 people. Upon completion, it would surpass the Imperial Hotel to become the largest hotel in Japan, indeed in all of the Orient.
Due to construction of the new wing of the Osaka Royal Hotel, it was decided that the Hotel New Osaka would cease operations. This hotel had been beloved as Osaka’s first authentic international hotel since its opening in 1935 (Showa 10). Over 38 years, approximately 2.5 million guests had stayed there, and nearly 7,000 couples had held their wedding receptions in the banquet halls.(1) Living up to its reputation as “Kansai’s guesthouse,” its guest registry featured members of the imperial family, successive prime ministers, cabinet ministers, and prominent figures from politics, business, culture, and entertainment. Notable guests included Helen Keller, and the actors Marilyn Monroe and Alain Delon. The Hotel New Osaka closed its doors on August 31, 1973 (Showa 48), bringing an end to its distinguished history.
Designed by Isoya Yoshida based on the theme “harmony with nature and traditional beauty”
The following day, September 1, the company name was changed from “Shin Osaka Hotel, Ltd.” to “The Royal Hotel, Limited,” and the Osaka Royal Hotel was renamed the “Royal Hotel.” On September 29th, the new wing was completed, with a site area of 27,996 square meters, building area of 13,010 square meters, total floor area of 127,129 square meters, 30 floors above ground, and 2 basement levels. There were 1,565 guest rooms, primarily double rooms, as well as 31 suites—more than the main building. The hospitality of the Hotel New Osaka—assiduously cultivated in the Venetian Gothic building rising along the Dojima River—would be carried forward by the reborn Royal Hotel.
From its opening, this newly born Royal Hotel earned high praise from distinguished guests both domestic and international for the space extending from the main lobby to the main lounge beyond. Upon stepping inside, visitors’ eyes were immediately caught by the magnificent carpet with gorgeous leaf patterns adorning the floor. Like the Osaka Royal Hotel, this was designed by Isoya Yoshida, whose intention was to make the distance to the main lounge at the far end feel shorter. His design created an elegant atmosphere in the lobby space, with the carpet illuminated by downlights complementing the gold maki-e bird patterns on the pillars.
Beyond that, the main lounge featured gold maki-e pillars appearing like drifting clouds, and a water channel modeled after kyokusui-no-en (the winding stream party, an ancient Japanese court entertainment where participants sat along a meandering stream and composed poetry) connected to the outdoor Japanese garden, and flowing into a waterfall basin. Above the main lounge, a purple cloud chandelier by Minami Tada, made with approximately 250,000 pieces of crystal glass, sparkled brilliantly, recreating the courtly elegance of ancient eras in contemporary style.
The hotel as a city—expanding into a social venue for guests
With the advent of the new wing, the Royal Arcade on the basement level 1 of the Osaka Royal Hotel was renovated into a shopping zone featuring top European and American brands, and based on the concept of “a city in a hotel.” The zone was named Palais Royal after the historic Parisian building. When Palais Royal opened in 1973 (Showa 48), magazines and other media were just beginning to introduce top European brands like Hermès, so having a fashion gallery with premium Western brands inside a hotel immediately became a hot topic. It created a major sensation among fashion-conscious customers who said “they’ve got all the brands at Royal.”
These new initiatives continued, and in 1975 (Showa 50), École de Royal was launched offering 13 cultural classes and lectures, as “a place for learning to enrich and enjoy life.” The cultural lecture series “Featured Voices” invited distinguished speakers such as actor Hisaya Morishige (1984, Showa 59), manga artist Osamu Tezuka (1986, Showa 61), and University of Tokyo Professor Emeritus Takeshi Yoro (2003, Heisei 15).
In June 1975 (Showa 50), the Royal Health Club was launched with a focus on comprehensive health thinking and practice. At the time, Osaka only had two or three small athletic clubs, but even in that era, Royal focused on health and equipped itself with facilities like an indoor pool, running track, and massage equipment, and experienced training staff provided one-on-one total fitness exercise guidance based on personal programs. A full-fledged system including medical checkups by doctors was put in place, and it was so popular from the hotel opening that there was a constant waiting list for membership. In 1987 (Showa 62), the East Wing Annex (now the Annex) was completed, and began operating what was then one of Japan’s largest indoor swimming pools and parking facilities.
Fashion, lifestyle, health, culture… The Royal Hotel became more than just a place for lodging and dining. It had the appeal of a “city” that sparked and delivered new trends and culture, making it an even more beloved hotel among customers.
<References>
(1) Shigeru Gunji, Undonkon (“Luck, Steadiness, and Perseverance”, published by Mainichi Shimbun), 1977 (in Japanese).
(“Breaking New Ground as the Rihga Royal Hotel Group” will be featured in the upcoming “ROYAL HISTORY Vol. 5”)
Text by Eriko Michida, 140B
