ne hundred twenty miles north of Tokyo, the Kanaya Hotel in Nikko, Japan was a joint Canadian / Japanese effort designed by Jenkins & Sturgess Architects Ltd. and Mutsuwa Architects--associate architect. The hotel was built to project a Canadian flare and this intent is achieved through both the "Canadian" design and the use of Canadian Yellow Cedar throughout the building. Perfectly tapered Yellow Cedar vertical posts and Yellow Cedar exterior walls exude a Canadian flavour. The exterior treatment is reminiscent of another Jenkins & Sturgess project, the Post Hotel in Lake Louise, Alberta.

Inside, Yellow Cedar makes as impressive a statement as it does on the outside. The feature staircase, spanning three storeys, is milled entirely from Yellow Cedar by Artwood Design.

Why Canadian?

The Kanaya family has been providing hospitality for over 100 years, beginning in the late 1860's. Belonging to the Samaurai class, the family was denied traditional trades and professions after the Meiji Restoration of 1867. Consequently, the family began providing accommodation for Europeans.

In the 1980's, the family built a restaurant using logs extensively at Chuzenji, 15 miles from Nikko. The restaurant was a success and the family began looking for someone to build a "Canadian" hotel in Nikko. Taro Kanaya went to Canada looking for an architect who could deliver the right hotel.

During his trip to Canada, Taro Kanaya came across the Post Hotel, which had additions designed by Jenkins & Sturgess Architects Ltd. The 1920's - 1930's, Parks Canada style of architecture of the hotel and captured in the additions convinced Taro Kanaya to contract Jenkins & Sturgess for the Kanaya's new hotel in Nikko.