This building is a villa located at the far end of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan.
By taking advantage of the small public roads that run throughout the site, It is divided into four areas to preserve the architectural scale and design of the surrounding landscape.
The property includes four areas: the “main house” (living/dining, tatami room), “annex” (main bedroom), “SPA wing” (sauna, lounge, bedroom), and “Zen wing” (meditation room, outer living).
The villa is an experience-type villa where visitors can freely come and go between each area and experience their own personal time while enjoying the scenery of Lake Biwa.
At the heart of the scattered facilities stands the main house, where the ground floor seamlessly integrates SPA functions and bedrooms, allowing for fluid movement without boundaries. Facing the lake, large sliding glass doors create a gentle transition between interior and exterior spaces. The second floor takes advantage of the gable roof’s form to shape a spacious, open-plan living and dining area with panoramic views of the lake. The exposed ridge beam serves as a subtle accent, preserving a sense of traditional Japanese architecture within a modern setting—blending local heritage with Japanese modernism.
The master bedroom, housed in a separate annex, features a modern interior centered around wooden latticework and woven textures. Soft indirect lighting brings a sense of calm to the space, offering a retreat from the stresses of daily life. An accent wall finished with plaster inspired by the shoreline of Lake Biwa adds both strength and beauty derived from nature, allowing guests to feel a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape.
The sauna and cold plunge, both opening generously toward Lake Biwa, offer a serene experience immersed in nature. Sunlight pours in from above, passing through the cold bath and extending into the lounge on the first floor, creating a shimmering interplay of light and water that evokes a dreamlike atmosphere. More than just a bathing space, it is a sensory sanctuary where light and shadow, inside and outside, heat and cold quietly intersect. In this tranquil setting, the five senses are awakened, unnecessary thoughts gently dissolve, and a profound sense of healing unfolds.
The Zen room, quietly nestled by the lakeshore, is designed with three fully openable sides, allowing guests to enjoy yoga, spa treatments, and other relaxation experiences while immersed in nature, complementing the SPA wing. In the outer living area that connects directly to Lake Biwa, guests can spend a peaceful, unhurried time gazing at the calm surface of the water, accompanied by the gentle flickering flame offering a truly extraordinary and immersive experience.
Taking advantage of the site's natural elevation, all areas except the "annex"—which primarily serves as a sleeping space—are positioned to offer sweeping views of Lake Biwa. Despite being located in a heavy snowfall area, the structural rafters are a hybrid of steel and wood, allowing for sharp, refined eaves while keeping the roofline as minimal as possible.
This is an experience-based villa where guests can fully enjoy the unique character of each building along with the stunning scenery of Lake Biwa.
