Eastern Philosophy

A new five-star hotel showcases Japanese tradition

- LEANDRA BEABOUT

THERE'S NO QUESTION that the new Four Seasons Hotel Osaka represents stiff competition for the other five-star properties in Japan's food capital. Just two months after its grand opening, I stepped into a full house. Many travelers book accommodations based on name alone, but this Four Seasons outpost also offers a distinct concept: a hotel within a hotel. Called Gensui, you'll find what the brand calls “Osaka's first modern ryokan experience.”

Because the property features such distinct room types, I spent one night in a Western-style room and another on the Gensui floor. The non-Gensui guest rooms have a classic global luxury aesthetic—all plush carpets and soft lighting in shades of blonde and cream. Sumptuous and elegant, yes, but I also had the distinct feeling that I could be in any luxury hotel in any city around the world.