Kentaro Imai Architectural office
Ginza SPA & SAUNA Corridor-no-Yu is located on the 4th floor of the multi-purpose building “Ginza Granbell Square,” which is centered around a hotel facility. The six upper floors are occupied by the Granbell Hotel, while the lower three floors house commercial tenants. Additionally, the basement features “ZOUK TOKYO,” one of the largest clubs in Tokyo. The entire building is designed with the intention of creating a multi-layered urban space within a single structure.
Within this context, Ginza SPA & SAUNA Corridor-no-Yu is not merely an annexed bathing facility for the hotel but is also intended to serve as a public bathing facility for the entire Granbell Square complex, allowing day-use visitors as well. For this reason, the space was not solely designed for bathing but was conceived as a relaxation space that includes amenities such as a café & bar and a library corner, covering the entire 4th-floor space to cater to guests before and after their sauna experience.
The design concept for this project was named “A Space That Invites Introspection.” This concept literally aims to create a space that leads users into introspection. In this context, introspection refers to self-reflection, similar to the mindfulness practices found in Zen or yoga, and the self-healing that occurs through this process.
Ginza, known as a glamorous, cutting-edge city, has rarely seen public bathing facilities within multi-purpose buildings like this. However, the creation of “a space within an urban lifestyle where one can reconnect with themselves and take a moment to reflect” will likely appeal not only to sauna enthusiasts but also to an increasing number of people seeking such spaces in the future. As the first facility to open in Ginza Granbell Square, SPA & SAUNA Corridor-no-Yu sets a new precedent, and we anticipate it will become an even more meaningful space as other tenants such as restaurants and massage parlors continue to enrich the building.
