Katakurakan was built in the early Showa period by the Katakura conglomerate, which made its fortune in the silk industry in the Suwa area from the Meiji through Taisho periods. Created as a social gathering place for local residents, the facility consists of an assembly hall and a hot spring bathhouse.
Its architectural style resembles the Gothic Revival or Romantic Revival styles that developed in the United States and elsewhere from around 1900 through the 1930s. It was designed by Matsunosuke Moriyama, a graduate of the Department of Architecture at Tokyo Imperial University, now the University of Tokyo. Architectural styles from various countries are skillfully incorporated into details such as the windows, gables, and reliefs.
The large baths, known as the “Thousand-Person Baths” because each is spacious enough to accommodate 100 people at once, have the same design in both the men's and women's bathing areas. Bathers stand in the water—an unusual bathing style—as the baths are an impressive 3.6 feet deep. Smooth pebbles cover the bottom, providing pleasant stimulation to the soles of the feet. The atmospheric interior features decorative elements such as sculptures and stained glass set into the surrounding walls.
Visitors can also tour the interior of the assembly hall, which was previously closed to the public. A guide leads visitors through rooms that retain their original appearance, including valuable decorations and furnishings from the time.
Highlights
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Guided tours of the assembly hall take approximately 45 minutes and must be reserved by 5:00 p.m. the day before.
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A lounge is located on the second floor of the bathhouse, with panoramic views of Lake Suwa from the balcony.
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Private rooms where families can relax are available for a fee. Rates start at ¥2,000 per person for three hours, including bathing admission, for groups of two or more.
