Kusatsu Kimuraya by Kengo Kuma and associates

Kusatsu Kimuraya

In the famous Kusatsu Onsen (hot spring) in Gunma Prefecture, we designed a one-room ryokan. On the first floor, the restaurant directly faces the famous hot spring fields.

By using Asama stone we connected building and landscape into a three-dimensional landscape. To further harmonize with the landscape, curve geometries that resonate with the soft movement of steam rising from the hot springs.

With attention to use of local materials both on the exterior walls and in the interior, local materials such as Asama stone terrazzo, Japanese washi paper mixed with crushed local stones are present. The wet areas use tile materials that are typically used for the floor of the hot spring fields.

By incorporating material and geometrical elements of Yubatake hot springs throughout the building, we condensed the materiality of the historic town of Kusatsu in this small building. Source by Kengo Kuma and associates.

  • Location: Gunma, Japan
  • Architect: Kengo Kuma and associates
  • Project team: Minoru Yokoo, Yutaro Ohta, Nanako Adachi, Shoki An, Shiho Yoo, Junlin Chen
  • Structural Engineer: Suzuki Akira/A.S.A
  • Area: 123.95 m2
  • Completion: 2021.12
  • Photographs: Kawasumi・Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office