Silver Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design · 2026
OMO5 Hakodate Hotel
- A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Fan Inc.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 18,911
- Verification code 86525D661D · Verify this award
About OMO5 Hakodate Hotel
OMO5 Hakodate is a hotel located in front of Hakodate Station in Hokkaido, Japan. An existing building was rebranded, extended and renovated under the concept of 120 percent Hakodate. A large stained-glass artwork inspired by local attractions greets guests at the entrance. The public area, called OMO Base, offers several ways to spend time, such as relaxing with friends. Guest rooms feature wall illustrations of the Hakodate nightscape. The buffet restaurant has a live kitchen inspired by the star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, plus lanterns and pendant lights made from fishing nets.
Fan Inc's OMO5 Hakodate Hotel interior presents a compelling exploration of contemporary hospitality design that thoughtfully reconciles industrial architectural heritage with the intimate warmth essential to meaningful guest experiences. The exposed mechanical systems and concrete surfaces characteristic of adaptive reuse design philosophies establish visual authenticity while avoiding cold austerity through the strategic introduction of warming material elements, most notably the terracotta brick piers that reference historical warehouse and mercantile building traditions. The remarkable circular stained glass installation embedded within the brick column serves as both functional light source and symbolic centerpiece, its chromatic wheel arrangement evoking rose window traditions from ecclesiastical architecture while simultaneously referencing color theory and artistic practice, perhaps suggesting the hotel as a space where tradition and creativity intersect. The organic flowing forms of the central communal table and suspended hammock seating introduce biomorphic softness that counterbalances the rectilinear industrial framework, while their materials, warm oak and natural fiber, establish tactile invitation that the eye immediately registers as comfortable and approachable. The spatial organization demonstrates sophisticated understanding of hospitality programming, with distinct zones for collaborative work, relaxed conversation, and transitional circulation flowing seamlessly within the unified architectural envelope. Contemporary elements including neon letterform installations and geometric accent pieces maintain visual currency without disrupting the carefully established material narrative. The lighting strategy merits particular attention, combining natural daylight from generous fenestration with warm incandescent-style fixtures that create intimate pools of illumination suitable for evening ambiance. One might observe how the teal circular rug grounds the central gathering zone while creating chromatic dialogue with the warm brick tones through complementary color relationship. The work invites contemplation of how hospitality spaces can honor architectural history while fully embracing contemporary expectations for flexibility, authenticity, and visual delight.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Based on the concept, at the entrance, guests are welcomed by a huge stained-glass artwork inspired by Hakodate’s famous tourist attractions. In the public space called "OMO Base", we propose various ways to spend time, such as relaxing with friends, based on the concept of "designing how guests spend their time and enjoy their stay." In the guest rooms, illustrations of Hakodate’s nightscape are painted on the walls, designed to elevate the excitement of the journey.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Area:
Total Area: 860.82 square meters
Entrance Area: 124.71 square meters
OMO Base: 422.89 square meters
OMO Base Terrace: 313.22 square meters
OMO Dining Area: 512.91 square meters
Guest Rooms: 27.89 - 41.82 square meters - Production Technology
- The buffet restaurant features a live kitchen inspired by the star-shaped Goryokaku Fort. The lively dining area is designed with elements of Hakodate's morning fish market, including squid-hanging lanterns and pendant lights made from fishing nets, evoking the vibrant atmosphere of the local port.
We designed an exciting facility that encapsulates the essence of travel and evokes the unique spirit of Hoshino Resorts. - Project Duration
- The project started in September 2023 in Hokkaido in Japan and finished in May 2024.
This hotel opened on July 6, 2024. - Inspiration
- As a brand of "urban hotels that boost your travel excitement," Hoshino Resorts is expanding its "OMO" hotels across Japan. This time, an existing hotel in a prime location in front of Hakodate Station, Hokkaido, has been rebranded as an "OMO" property, with extensions and renovations. This hotel's concept of "120% Hakodate" incorporates unique local elements of Hakodate that are expressed throughout the hotel, aiming for a design that enhances the excitement of travel in true OMO style.
- Image Credits
- Nacasa & Partners
- Patents
- Copyright: fan inc. belongs to 2024.
Colors of OMO5 Hakodate Hotel
Grand Interview about OMO5 Hakodate Hotel
The stained-glass artwork was inspired by the distinctive landscapes of Hakodate discovered through extensive local research. We incorporated iconic elements such as the night view from Mount Hakodate, the star-shaped Goryokaku, the fishing port, squid-fishing lights, red-brick warehouses, and the stained-glass windows of Motomachi churches. Rather than depicting a single landmark, the artwork expresses the collective identity of Hakodate and introduces the concept of "120% Hakodate" that unfolds throughout the hotel.
Rather than selecting famous landmarks alone, we focused on the scenes that collectively shape Hakodate's identity. Through local research, we discovered recurring elements such as the night view, the port, fishing lights, historic architecture, and local food culture. These experiences engage visitors visually and emotionally, allowing the hotel to feel connected to the city rather than separated from it.
The star-shaped geometry of Goryokaku presented a unique challenge because the live kitchen had to function efficiently while maintaining the symbolic form. We carefully integrated buffet circulation, kitchen operations, and service requirements into the geometry. Similarly, fishing nets and squid-fishing lamps were reinterpreted as lighting elements that contribute both atmosphere and functionality rather than serving as decorative references alone.
I believe a hotel should participate in the life of its city rather than simply provide accommodation. At OMO5 Hakodate, local stories, landscapes, and recommendations are integrated into the guest experience itself. By encouraging guests to explore the surrounding neighborhood and understand its culture, the hotel becomes a gateway to Hakodate rather than an isolated destination.
Working within an existing building required balancing renovation constraints with a completely new identity. One of the biggest challenges was the stained-glass artwork, which alone required nearly six months of development and fabrication. The inherited structure forced us to make careful design decisions, but those limitations ultimately inspired more creative solutions and a stronger connection between old and new elements.
Designing the OMO Base began with imagining the scenes of guests' stay rather than designing objects. We considered how guests would plan their day, return from sightseeing, gather with friends, or relax alone. Layout, lighting, furniture, and materials were selected to support these activities naturally, creating a space that encourages interaction while remaining comfortable and welcoming.
If local expression becomes too literal, hospitality spaces can feel more like tourist information centers than places of comfort. I believe narrative elements should be transformed into art rather than displayed as direct explanations. At OMO5 Hakodate, illustrations and graphics reinterpret local scenery in an emotional way, allowing guests to feel connected to the destination while still enjoying a relaxing environment.
While the project has been well received in Japan, I feel its international exposure remains limited. Beyond the visual design, what deserves greater recognition is the process of translating local culture into a complete guest experience through renovation rather than new construction. The project demonstrates that thoughtful storytelling and cultural integration can create meaningful hospitality design regardless of scale or budget.
We carefully choreographed the guest journey to reflect changing emotional states. The entrance creates anticipation and excitement, the OMO Base encourages discovery and social interaction, and the restaurant immerses guests in Hakodate's food culture. As guests move through the hotel, the narrative gradually deepens, creating an experience that feels dynamic rather than static.
Our methodology began with understanding guest experiences and local culture simultaneously. Rather than adding regional motifs after the design was complete, we used local research to inform spatial planning, circulation, lighting, and atmosphere from the earliest stages. The goal was to shape how guests feel and behave within the hotel, allowing Hakodate's identity to emerge naturally through the entire experience.