【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. lavish / ˈlæv ɪʃ / (adj.) – displaying extravagance or luxury
Example: Many celebrities get invited to lavish gatherings.
2. inn / ɪn / (n.) – establishments that provide lodging to customers
Example: The tourists booked a reservation at an affordable inn.
3. enormous / ɪˈnɔr məs / (adj.) – having a huge size or quantity
Example: We are excited to visit the enormous new shopping mall.
4. facade / fəˈsɑd / (n.) – the front part of a building
Example: The bank’s facade faced the street.
5. root / rut / (n.) – the basis or foundation of something
Example: True to his Japanese roots, the chef presented an Okinawan-themed menu during the party.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Japanese resort chain Hoshino has opened a lavish hot spring ryokan in Tokyo.
On July 20, Hoshino Resorts unveiled Hoshinoya Tokyo. Located in the financial district Otemachi, the resort offers ryokan facilities within Tokyo.
Developed in the 1600s, a ryokan is a Japanese-themed inn designed for rest and relaxation. It features hot spring baths and serves various cuisines. Rarely located in urban sceneries, ryokans are normally found in areas with mountain and ocean views.
A ryokan usually has onsen or hot springs, which are popular among tourists who want to get a feel of the Japanese culture. In a typical ryokan, the space for a single room can be enormous. The wooden floor is covered in tatami, or rice-straw mats, while sliding screen doors separate each room. Common decorations include traditional Japanese drawings or scrolls.
Hoshinoya Tokyo promises to merge the old with the new. Its façade is a 17-storey tower that blends in with the city’s landscape. However, architect Azuma Rei ensured that the ryokan experience remains the same for visitors. Much like traditional ryokans, each surface of the resort is covered in tatami. Rooms are furnished with floor-level style furniture and futons instead of beds. However, what sets Hoshinoya Tokyo apart from its more traditional counterparts is the absence of wooden flooring.
True to its ryokan roots, Hoshinoya Tokyo features hot spring baths on the 17th floor. Water is pumped from the natural hot spring located in the resort’s site. The indoor baths offer great views of Tokyo’s skyline.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Would you be interested in visiting the Hoshinoya Tokyo ryokan? Why or why not?
· What do you think are the advantages of building a ryokan in the city?
Discussion B
· What kinds of places do you think are attractive to tourists? Please explain.
· What other features would you want to see in a modern ryokan?
