Breathe In Breathe Out: A Peaceful Japanese Ryokan by the Ocean

In our constant search for inspired properties around the world, we have recently encountered a sight of beauty and tranquility. The main character of this article – a pair of contemporary Japanese dwellings called kishi-ke – was created by a Tokyo-based firm G Architects Studio, and is located in the coastal city of Kamakura. Here are some more details from the project creator Ryohei Tanaka.

The commissioners are a young couple who recently got married and ran a side company in Tokyo renting out their ancient traditional home to travelers. They then made the decision to relocate to Kamakura and started looking for a place to live and continue hosting guests.

The clients were dreaming of a property that served as both their home and a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn - for visitors in order to provide an alternative to large hotels. G Architects Studio ended up erecting two structures — a modestly-sized main house and an annex — connected by a traditional garden. Because each building is a separate house, one can be rented out as a standalone lodging option, while still allowing guests to share the garden and seaside views. The dining room is currently located on the first floor of the main structure, while the couple's private residence is located on the second floor.

Since visitors would be able to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle and culture, Ryohei Tanaka believes the inn will appeal to tourists from other countries. Due to COVID-19, many travelers are now choosing to stay in more intimate lodgings, like this ryokan, to minimize their potential exposure to the virus. Here, the whole residence can be rented out, so it’s a novel experience for travelers during the pandemic. At the same time, while many of the early visitors were from outside the country, domestic tourism is finally catching up and evermore Japanese travelers are making reservations. Hopefully, this tranquil property soon becomes one of many successful businesses symbolizing the return to the updated normality.