Historic Kagaya Ryokan to Reopen with New Seven-Story Building by FY 2028

Kagaya, a celebrated ryokan founded in 1906 and long regarded as the gold standard of omotenashi, was heavily damaged by the 7.6-magnitude Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024. Publicly funded demolition started in April, and a new seven-story building is slated for completion by the close of fiscal 2028. The project will rise on the former annex grounds within the Wakura Onsen hot-spring resort in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Design work is being handled by the office of famed architect Kengo Kuma, who said the new inn will build on Kagaya’s legacy while advancing it. President Takatsugu Watanabe, speaking after the groundbreaking, said the ceremony was a relief and affirmed the goal of delivering top-tier hospitality. The rebuilt lodge will showcase Kagaya’s collection of Wajima lacquerware and Kaga Yuzen textiles, offering guests a blend of tradition and modernity. Other local inns also suffered damage in the quake.