Amazaki Cottage Renovation Update

- All in the Details - 

In our renovation of traditional Japanese houses, we follow a few guiding principles: foremost among them being the use of natural materials and honoring how these homes were originally built. We favor wood joinery instead of commonly used aluminum, wood paneling in place of synthetic finishes, Shikkui plaster rather than plastic wallpaper, Shoji screens instead of curtains, and stone and concrete for the Doma.

For this project, we selected locally sourced Sugi cedar and Hinoki cypress for their beautiful color and remarkable fragrance. The moment you step inside, you are enveloped in the gentle, calming scent of natural wood.

Working with these materials naturally leads to a simpler palette of cream, white, and sand-and-stone tones. There is no clutter — only quiet, understated beauty.

With careful research and close consultation with our builders, many people are surprised at how reasonably priced natural materials can be, especially when sourced locally. In fact, Sugi cedar is often more affordable than modern alternatives. We encourage other builders to not to shy away from real wood—whether solid timber, panels, or laminations.

The true challenge lies in finding skilled local craftsmen: master joiners, experienced plasterers, and builders who understand traditional Japanese construction methods. Many of them are aging fast, with no one to pass down those amazing skills. This is a challenge we intend to tackle together with local governments as we explore other remote locations in Japan for our projects.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such talented craftspeople here in Amazaki.