This renovation project in Fujikawa-cho, Yamanashi, was developed in collaboration with the city as part of a wider initiative to revitalize the area—breathing new life into existing buildings and inviting people to discover the quiet beauty of rural Japan.
Concept
KÓME is a small wooden cottage with a distinctive atmosphere, where Japanese practicality meets European design sensibilities, finished with subtle, fairytale-like details. The goal was to create a space that feels warm, intimate, and restorative—a gentle escape from the bustle of Tokyo.
Design Solution
Where possible, original walls and furniture were reused and carefully customized to preserve the cottage’s character. In contrast, the kitchen and bedroom were fully renovated to elevate comfort and enhance the overall stay experience.
One of the most enjoyable challenges was transforming a former garden storage cabin into a sauna—a renovation experiment that brought valuable lessons and sparked many ideas to carry forward into future cottage projects.