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Royal Park Hotels Journal (The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu)

August 31, 2023The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu

Connect with people, connect with people.
What The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu Aims for with SDGs

Fukuoka is said to be the gateway to Kyushu. In August 2023, a new hotel opened in Nakasu, Fukuoka's premier downtown area. Its name is The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu. Based on the concept of "relaxing yourself with the nature of Kyushu," experiences that are conscious of the SDGs are sprinkled everywhere. This time, we asked Mr. Yamamoto, the general manager, and Mr. Matsumoto, who worked on various projects until the opening of the hotel, about their efforts so far.

CHAPTER01

The keyword is “people”,a new SDGs approach that the hotel is working on

―Please tell us about the concept of the hotel, “Relaxing with the nature of Kyushu.”

Matsumoto: There was a lot of discussion about the concept of opening a new hotel in the center of Fukuoka. While there are many hotels that incorporate traditional motifs such as Hakata Gion Yamakasa and Hakata Ori, which are representative of Fukuoka, into their designs, it seems that the idea of taking a different approach seems to be the starting point.

Yamamoto: Fukuoka has an urban aspect as a gateway to Asia, and Kyushu as a whole has abundant natural resources. From such a perspective, I thought that I could create a hotel with a new concept of "urban oasis", and decided. I hope it will become a power spot for the locals as well.

An urban resort where you can feel the charm of nature and be healed, surrounded by the nature of Kyushu.

Matsumoto: That said, there are a lot of ideas for the exterior and interior, but I was worried about how to apply the word “nature” to the soft aspects.

Yamamoto: I thought the story was important, so I was fumbling about how I could incorporate a story that embodied the concept into the experience and service.

The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu

general manager

Mr. Shoichi Yamamoto

After joining the Royal Park Hotel, he gained experience in service work. After serving as general manager of The Royal Park Hotel Fukuoka in 2021, he has been working on new hotel projects in the Opening Promotion Department since September 2022. After the opening of The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu, he was appointed general manager.

Matsumoto: Another big pillar is the SDGs. When it comes to initiatives that hotels can take, the first thing that comes to mind is the adoption of environmentally friendly Amenities. Of course, I would like to work on that as well, but I am wondering if there is a new approach to the SDGs.

Yamamoto: When I was looking at the goals of SDGs 17 while talking about that, I noticed that about half of the content written there was about "people". For example, the key word for things like gender equality and job satisfaction is “people.” I also sympathized with the principle of leaving no one behind.

Matsumoto: In the first place, a hotel is a place where people gather and communicate, so it matched that idea.

CHAPTER02

Opportunities are born from places wherepeople gather and meet

―How did you find a partner after you decided on the concept and SDGs initiatives?

Matsumoto: What I valued was that I wanted to contribute to the economic development of Fukuoka. I thought that if we were to open a business in Fukuoka, we would be able to create a win-win situation by teaming up with local companies and organizations.

Yamamoto: In that sense, it was very reassuring to have a local member involved in the opening.

Matsumoto: I agree. That said, I didn't have a particularly strong connection with the community, so I steadily searched for companies and organizations that were working on the SDGs on the prefectural and city websites. It was during this time that I met Fukushigoto Co., Ltd., which I asked for the lounge motif and interior art.

Royal Park Hotels

Operation promotion department

Akiko Matsumoto

Joined Yokohama Royal Park Hotel in 2008. Experienced in housekeeping, bell, and Reservations work. Since 2020, he has been in charge of public relations for new and existing hotels in the Sales & Marketing Department (currently the Operation Promotion Department).

―What kind of initiatives are you working on?

Matsumoto: Fukushigoto is a company that works to solve social issues and create value from a new perspective through corporate human resource development in collaboration with welfare facilities and collaboration with artists. After contacting them in July 2022, when we talked about the concept of the hotel, we hit it off with the idea of doing something together.

Yamamoto: It seems that Mr. Fukushigoto was just looking for a place where artists could play an active role, as well as being in sympathy with the concept.

Matsumoto: At first, I was only commissioned to design novelty items for the hotel, but the design proposal I received was very nice. It's a waste to keep it only as a novelty! And various departments were involved, and eventually it developed from the art of the guest room to the motif (wall painting) of the lounge, and the art printed on the sacoche worn by the staff.

About 80 of the guest rooms were designed by artists affiliated with Fukushima.
Kyushu map is a collage of illustrations from various parts of Kyushu. A motif that symbolizes CANVAS lounge.

Yamamoto: I would like people to know that there are companies doing such activities in Fukuoka through these efforts.

Matsumoto: Since the concept of the CANVAS brand originally includes the themes of "LOCAL" and "CONNECT", I would be happy if it could be a place for encounters.

―When it comes to “meeting places,” events at CANVAS lounge are also distinctive, aren’t they?

Yamamoto: We borrowed and installed a piano that was used in the hall of the former Meiji Yasuda Seimei Fukuoka Building in the CANVAS lounge, which is a symbolic place of the hotel. Music events are held by local artists.

Matsumoto: Fukuoka is originally famous for Nakasu jazz, and has a strong awareness of promoting music.

The place where the hotel is located is the former site of the Meiji Yasuda Seimei Fukuoka Building. Thanks to that connection, I was able to provide the piano that was active in the hall.

Yamamoto: However, when it comes to events that use the piano, it's hard to find a performer... That's when I found out about the Fukuoka Music City Council. The Fukuoka Music City Council is an organization established in 2021 that also supports artists with the aim of using the power of music to liven up the city of Fukuoka. Just like Mr. Fukushigoto, I was looking for a place to work.

― What kind of activities are you working on at the CANVAS lounge?

Yamamoto: We invite artists to perform live every Friday. There are no restrictions on the genre of performance, and it is a freestyle that you can use the piano or not.

Matsumoto: The reason why we didn't restrict the genre of music is because of Mr. Yamamoto's thoughts.

Yamamoto: As the name of the hotel suggests, it's "CANVAS", so I want artists to freely paint in their own colors in a pure white space. Also, I think it's a chance for visitors to come across genres of music, musical instruments, and playing methods that they don't know, so I'd like to enjoy the new chemical reactions that occur without any restrictions.

Participating artists will be decided by open recruitment from the database registrants of the curation media OTOJIRO of the Fukuoka Music City Council, making it a chance for artists as well.

CHAPTER03

The nature and healing of Kyushu thatyou can experience in your room

―You can enjoy your stay in any type of guest room with the themes of “nature” and “culture”.

Yamamoto: I think the guest room is where the customer can relax the most and feel the concept, so I was particular about what kind of experience I could offer. This time, the guest rooms on the top floor use shampoo, treatment, and Body Soap from the brand "NEMOHAMO", which uses natural materials carefully grown in Satoyama, Onga-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture.

As the name suggests, it is used without “roots” or “leaves”. It is as if it embodies the concept of being healed by the nature of Kyushu.

Matsumoto: I was looking for Amenities made in Kyushu that take into account the SDGs, but the barriers such as cost and lot were quite high. At that time, Mr. Yamamoto found me by chance.

Yamamoto: When I was watching TV, it was introduced as a guest room Amenities on a famous sleeper train, and I thought it was perfect. This applies to other Amenities and services as well, but since we focused on whether or not the concepts and ideas match, we first looked for a partner that we would like to work with, and then worked out how we could make it happen. It was very important to bring it to the natural flow.

Matsumoto: It is just like you said. It was good to be able to proceed while discussing from such a point of view.

Yamamoto: The scent is actually very good, and there is also a story that can be told to customers.

Matsumoto: Since it uses botanical ingredients, it has a gentle herbal scent, a natural impression, and the color of the bottle is genderless, which is very nice.

Yamamoto: We want you to be healed by the nature of Kyushu even in your room.

―I think there is an awareness of the SDGs for other Amenities as well.

Matsumoto: The essence of the SDGs is sprinkled in even the smallest details in the guest rooms, such as mugs made from pulverized tableware collected from schools and restaurants, and tissue boxes and trays made from recycled chips from the manufacturing process. Masu.

Yamamoto: Regarding these Amenities, the local staff in Fukuoka said they would like to incorporate them. Based on the concept of the hotel, I think that the idea of “creating together” is also connected to the SDGs philosophy.

CHAPTER04

Connect with the local community andexpand your possibilities

―How about food?

Matsumoto: The after-bath lounge in the hotel is a space that guests can freely use from check-in to check-out. Coffee served there is from Fukuoka's famous coffee shop, REC COFFEE.

A space full of openness where you can overlook the rooftop garden with full window glass.

Yamamoto: This was an idea from a member from Fukuoka.

Matsumoto: REC COFFEE has long been known as “the famous Coffee truck” in Fukuoka. A member from Fukuoka talks with the shop that he used many times when he was a student, so it seems to be a familiar shop for locals. There are now multiple stores in and outside of Fukuoka Prefecture, and I thought it might be possible, so I made an inquiry and found out that they also roast their own beans, which led to a collaboration.

Yamamoto: Above all, it is good that the company is loved by the locals. I also had a very good impression when I talked with the REC COFFEE staff.

Matsumoto: It was the first attempt to wholesale beans to a hotel, and we had a lot of fun talking about wanting to do something together.

Matsumoto: You actually went on a tour of the roasting factory, didn't you?

Yamamoto: In addition to the taste, the people at the store and the factory are all working very energetically, and I've become a fan (laughs). became.

Matsumoto: I wanted to go there too.

Yamamoto: It was not only about initiatives, but also from the perspective of hotel management and employee training. We would like you to enjoy the taste of REC COFFEE in the after-bathing lounge.

―I heard that you are particular about the ice cream that is served at the bath lounge.

Matsumoto: yes. With the cooperation of the ONO Group, which operates the hotel's restaurant "ONO HAKATA -Octo Natura Kyusyu-", we asked them to come up with ice cream that can be enjoyed freely in the lounge.

Yamamoto: At first, since I was in Fukuoka, I had ideas such as Amaou's strawberry ice cream and an ice cream machine, but I couldn't clear the operation part.

Matsumoto: Originally, the ONO Group has various connections, and has deep ties with local farmers. Under such circumstances, I received an idea that I could contribute to reducing food loss by turning non-standard fruits that cannot be sold into ice cream.

Yamamoto: Since we are also centered on the SDGs, food initiatives are essential. It was a great opportunity to contribute to local farmers.

Matsumoto: Reducing food loss may sound like a big deal, but I think it's a good opportunity for customers to be able to contribute to the reduction of food loss through such a small experience as eating ice cream in the lounge after taking a bath. I thought.

Yamamoto: It's a new experience and value that hotels have never been able to provide.

"CANVAS fruit ice bar" using non-standard fruit. All made in the restaurant.

-This time, you are also particular about contributing to local companies. Why is that?

Matsumoto: By connecting with local companies, I feel the possibility of further expanding connections from there.

Yamamoto: In Fukuoka, both people and companies welcome us, so we are very grateful. The ONO Group has a very strong desire to cherish the local community, so it seems that the concept is also sympathetic.

Matsumoto: This is in line with the concept of Royal Park Hotels, "Town and Hospitality." In particular, lodging-based hotels are difficult to provide hospitality other than resting in the guest room. That's why I think it's important to take advantage of the city's resources and offer hospitality.

Yamamoto: I believe that the opening of the hotel is not a goal, but a start, so I would like to continue to be a hotel that local businesses will want to do something with. At the same time, I would like to develop it into a hotel that the staff working here can be proud of.

Matsumoto: I would like to continue to contribute to the city of Fukuoka. I would like to cherish the relationships with partner companies that I have met through this opening, and look forward to a future where both sides can become win-win.

With the hotel as a starting point, there are “people” at the origin of various connections and projects. The passion behind the opening of The Royal Park Canvas - Fukuoka Nakasu, which is nurtured by local people and materials, has given us a new perspective and possibilities for the hotel.
With that in mind, we would like you to visit us to experience the healing nature of Kyushu.

This article and images are current as of August 2023.

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