Experience ‘Eden’: Marina Tanaka’s Captivating Solo Exhibition Opens Free at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU with 23 Stunning Works
Drawing Event and Pop-Up Shop with Marina Tanaka in Attendance on December 16 and 17!
UNWIND GALLERY
UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU views itself not just as a hotel but as a hub for culture and information, offering unique perspectives on Hokkaido’s charm. In November 2022, the hotel opened the UNWIND GALLERY, leveraging its beautifully renovated historical architecture to showcase works by artists connected to Hokkaido. With “classic contemporary” as its guiding concept, the gallery focuses on contemporary art and has been featured in local media and fashion publications. To ensure accessibility, the gallery is open free of charge, welcoming both guests and the local community to enjoy its offerings. Visitors can experience the hotel as a space where art can be appreciated at any time, making it a favorite for both hotel guests and art enthusiasts alike.
The gallery’s 10th exhibition presents works by Marina Tanaka, an artist from Hokkaido who splits her time between Sapporo and Tokyo. Set against the snowy backdrop of Otaru, her exhibition creates a dreamlike blend of history and modernity, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a unique artistic experience.
「Eden – Marina Tanaka Solo Exhibition -」
This solo exhibition, “Eden,” features 23 works, including 17 new pieces inspired by the messages of tarot cards. Themes of joy, despair, failure, success, healing, and happiness are woven into her art, reflecting the many emotions experienced throughout life. Drawing inspiration from the idea of a “sacred winter night,” Tanaka has transformed these themes into tarot-like artworks that resonate with Otaru’s Christmas season. Her belief that both the good and bad in life create its beauty is at the heart of the exhibit. Each artwork is available for purchase, allowing visitors to bring a piece of “Eden” into their own homes. Until December 25, a three-meter-tall Christmas tree will adorn the hotel entrance, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.
Marina Tanaka’s Comment
For this exhibition, Eden, I wanted to explore the overarching theme of “life’s journey.” As we navigate through life, we encounter countless events, and the emotions they evoke aren’t always beautiful. Some are painful, challenging, or even embarrassing. But when I reflect on how these experiences shape who I am today, I realize that every emotion can become a gem, a story of beauty.
In the bar space, I’ve created pieces inspired by the atmosphere of a bar. I hope visitors can spend time there, connecting with the artwork and finding reflections of their own lives. It brings me great joy to present my work in this historic hotel, surrounded by Otaru’s romantic winter scenery.
About Marina Tanaka
Marina Tanaka is an illustrator and painter born in 1993 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. She has worked on various client projects across Japan as an illustrator and designer. Since 2020, she has actively expanded her creative pursuits to include paintings, sculptural art, and essays. To explore more about her work, visit www.maribonzu.com.
Exhibition Details
【Title】「Eden – Marina Tanaka Solo Exhibition -」
【Location】UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU 1F UNWIND GALLERY
【Dates】December 1, 2024, to February 27, 2025
【Admission】 Free, open daily from 7:00 AM to midnight
【Special Events】 Drawing event and pop-up shop on December 16–17 (3:00 PM–7:00 PM)
About Drawing Event and Pop-Up Shop
From December 16 to 17, 2024, Marina Tanaka will host a special Christmas ornament drawing event alongside a pop-up shop. Visitors can commission one-of-a-kind ornaments featuring cherished memories, beloved pets, flowers, or other meaningful designs, turning the holiday season into a truly unique and personal celebration.
Dates: December 16–17, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM–7:00 PM
Duration per Ornament: Approximately 30–40 minutes
Cost: ¥3,000 (tax included)
Location: 1F, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
A Perfect Pairing: Hot Rum Chai and Art
At UNWIND GALLERY, located within the shared spaces of UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, the hotel’s bar, BAR IGNIS OTARU, seamlessly integrates as part of the gallery experience. To complement the Eden – Marina Tanaka Solo Exhibition, the bar is offering a special pairing cocktail, the “Hot Rum Chai.”
This signature drink combines a luxurious blend of spices—cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and star anise—infused into the hotel’s original chai syrup, which is then mixed with creamy Hokkaido milk and the sweet aroma of dark rum. The cocktail embodies the theme of “Eden,” providing a comforting sense of paradise in the warm and inviting bar setting, where life’s paths and stories intersect.
Hot Rum Chai: ¥1,400 (tax included)
＜Bar Ignis Otaru＞
Location: BAR IGNIS OTARU, 1F, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Hours: Open daily, 7:30 PM–11:30 PM (last order at 11:00 PM)
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Originally built in 1931 as the Ecchūya Hotel, Hokkaido’s first hotel exclusively for foreign visitors, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU carries a storied past. During wartime, the building served as an officers’ club for the Japanese Army, and later, it was requisitioned by U.S. forces. Recognized as a historically significant structure by the city of Otaru and designated as part of Japan’s “Modernization Heritage Sites 33” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the building has been thoughtfully revived after years of closure.
Through bold renovations that maintain its historical charm while infusing contemporary sensibilities, the space has been transformed into a boutique hotel with a unique aesthetic. It offers a distinctive atmosphere that blends classic architectural beauty with modern design, providing an experience unlike any other traditional classic hotel.
<Hotel Information>
Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Location: 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 35 minutes by JR Hakodate Line from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station, followed by a 10-minute walk to the hotel.