Aizu Higashiyama Hot Spring
—Tsuruga Higashiyama Sohonzan
Locate in Fukushima, Japan
Design by INVI inc.
2022
Nestled in the verdant nature of Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, this exclusive ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, caters only to one group of guests each day. The building itself has a venerable pedigree and is said to be one of the three most significant Showa-era (1926-1989) structures in Aizu. One section of this historic building has been repurposed as a luxury accommodation facility.
The suite room is 140 m2 and includes a dining room, living room, Japanese-style room, bedroom, outdoor hot spring tub, and sauna. Although located one floor down at the basement level, the terrace offers views of the lush greenery of the adjacent bamboo grove.
For this guest room, we proposed several pieces of furniture that were all carefully crafted by artisans using natural materials sourced in Aizu, such as a dining table created from a single piece of locally grown zelkova and a bar counter incorporating kumiko latticework. Each piece showcases the natural character and texture of the wood, while also featuring modern elements, and adds sharpness to the overall space. The interior design concept and the choice of furniture were considered in parallel when creating this space.
