On November 8th, as part of the activities of the International Projects Committee at the JIA (Japan Institute of Architects) Chiba Convention, we were invited to guide VIPs from overseas around the town of Sawara, Chiba Prefecture. Our studio, Studio MYU architects, has been restoring the townscape and revitalizing historic buildings since 1996, when Sawara was designated a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. In 2025, we received the Architectural Institute of Japan Award for our achievements. Click here for more information.
The NPO Onogawa and Sawara Townscape Study Group created the video above. I’m sharing it because it’s very easy to understand the condition of the town scape. After walking around the townscape on November 8th, we plan to visit Yokuraya’s Okura. It’s an incredibly impressive building. I also found a video of this, so I’ve attached it below.
From the elevated dining room you can see the tiled living room and the raised Japanese-style room beyond. Your vista is lead to the green scenery through the layer of the rooms.
薪ストーブの火の粉が飛んでも、タイル張りの床は安心です。
Tile floors are safe even if sparks fly from the wood stove.
和紙貼りの引戸をしめれば、客室になる小上がり
When you close the sliding door covered in washi paper, the raised area becomes a guest room.
窓際のカウンターは掘り炬燵になっています。
The study counter by the window is a sunken so that you can use it as a regeler desk.
狭くても広く感じる和室の様な客室。南からの光が柔らかく差し込みます。
The Japanese-style rooms are small yet spacious, with soft light streaming in from the south.
和室の左となりには、個室があります。
There is a private room to the left of the Japanese-style room.
天井が高いので、狭さをちっとも感じません。
The ceiling is high so it doesn’t feel cramped at all.
The size and position of the window was designed according to the proportions of the wall. A desk is placed in front of the window, creating a place for quiet thinking.
キッチンの奥はプライベートゾーン、寝室とバスルーム、ユーティリティがあります。
Behind the kitchen there is a private zone, a bedroom, a bathroom and a utility room.
浴室、洗面、トイレが一体化したゆったりしたバスルーム。
A spacious bathroom with a combined bath, washbasin and toilet.
バスタブからは森の風景がよく見えます。窓を開ければ、気持ちの良い風が頬をなぜます。
You can get a good view of the forest from the bathtub. If you open the window, a pleasant breeze will brush your cheeks.
寝室には緑の風景しか見えないコーナー窓。
The bedroom has a corner window that offers a view of nothing but greenery.
景色を絵の様に楽しむピクチャーウインドウもあります。
There is also a picture window that allows you to enjoy the scenery like a painting.
The planting work has not yet been done, so the shape of the building is clearly visible. The plan resembles a large bird spreading its wings in the forest.
玄関ポーチは鳥のくちばしのように。
The entrance porch resembles a bird’s beak.
夜景をみると、内外のテラスの繋がりがよくわかります。
When you look at the night view, you can clearly see the connection between the indoor and outdoor terraces.
森の中にひっそり隠れる様に建つ別荘、 これから建主さんたちがここで楽しく暮らしてくださることを祈っています。 we hope that the owners will enjoy living here.
