#japanesedesign

Since the building will open in the spring of 2018, before the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we thought it necessary to design the building with “JAPANESE STYLE” as the core, considering the response of inbound customers. Akasaka, the site of the building, is a very chaotic city with convenient transportation, a business scene, entertainment, and deep spots. Therefore, I used the characteristics of this city as inspiration for the concept of “MIXTURE.” While using Japanese culture and crafts as a motif, I added or removed different elements to create a gap in the image of a dressed-down version of traditional Japanese crafts, aiming to create a “JAPANESE STYLE” with a sense of chaos typical of Akasaka. Adh... More

SOCHA is a uniquely designed Japanese café themed around traditional Japanese tea and matcha. The concept phase began in 2022, solidified in 2023, and culminated with the café’s official opening in January 2024. The SOCHA project not only serves as a café but also as a showcase of Sobokuya’s design philosophy, offering an immersive experience in both culinary and architectural aspects of Japanese culture. Caption The building housing SOCHA is a renovation project, transforming a space that once served as a newspaper delivery office and a home into a vibrant café on the ground floor and Sobokuya’s Tokyo design office on the second floor. The renovation involved a complete overhaul of both t... More

Located at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountain range, our design office is a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern design, inspired by the serene view of Mt. Fuji and the cherry blossoms. Envisioned as a space where one can sit on tatami mats and work while enjoying the breath-taking natural scenery, this building is designed with thoughtfully placed desks and bookshelves. Large windows and skylights flood the interior with natural light, minimizing the need for artificial lighting and creating a contemporary yet serene atmosphere. Caption Caption The structure showcases elements central to Sobokuya’s design vision, such as mud wall finishes and meticulously crafted furniture. A standout feature... More

On the northern tip of Shikoku Island surrounded by the Seto Inland Sea is Mt. Yashima, a peninsula with historical significance for Japan. This scenic locale hosts Shikoku Mura, a leading open-air architectural museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing traditional houses from the Shikoku region. Our challenge was to redesign its entrance, transforming it into a new focal point complete with information spaces, ticketing, restrooms, and a shop—all while symbolizing renewal. Caption Caption The site was a parking lot elevated above the main access road, loosely connecting a shrine to the east, the museum's udon restaurant within a traditional house (Waraya) to the south, and an old Western-style house (Ijinkan) to the we... More

Harmony in Modern Minimalism Discover a private residence of modern minimalist architecture, nestled in a unique corner of town where nature reigns. The structure unfolds with meticulous attention to detail, featuring two volumes of varying heights adorned with an impressive 11-meter window. Natural stone tiles dance in harmony with charred larch cladding, playing with shades that range from deep black to warm brown. The same warm brown shade is chosen for the terrace and the vertical openwork. Different facade finishing materials form a visual symphony that accentuates the delicate balance between smooth and rough surfaces, matte and glossy materials. The harmony of different materials and forms creates the impression of completeness.... More

From former MOAT to FORT, and a new town center This project site lies on the former outer moat of Edo Castle where the shogun lived. The bent section of the moat became the foundation of the current irregularly shaped city block, which was problematic in some respects, with its unusually configured intersection and lack of pedestrian space and greenery. Replacement of the district road and reorganization of the city block allowed for the creation of green plazas and comfortable walking spaces, and transformed the area into a high-rise complex of offices, SOHO, and shops.  TechniStaff (Kouji Okamoto) The fact that the moat used to serve as the boundary between the daimyo (feudal lord)’s mansion and the residences of mercha... More