Located in Kinosaki Onsen(hot springs) in Hyogo prefecture,“Mikiya”is a traditional Japanese ryokan known for its 300 year history and as a lodge associated with the renowned novelist Naoya Shiga.The building is also known as a registered tangible cultural property,with a historical atmosphere that can be noticed throughout the wooden structure. 

At the same time Mikiya was facing inevitable deterioration, and started their renovation plan in 2013. Instead of a full renewal, the client was considering this renovation scheme as an“update”, thus the entire project was based on the idea of updating the facility while maintaining the existing elements and atmosphere,and proceed in several phases from bath, special room,guest rooms, washing rooms, hall room.

In this fourth phase of renovation, in addition to the special room“Room 22,”two private baths in different sizes,the“Kuruhi-no-yu”and the“Futami-no-yu,”were planned.The relatively compact yet comfortable“Kuruhi-no-yu”features a bathtub made from Aomori hiba (cypress),light earth-toned plaster on the walls, and a combination of dyed wood flooring and a scrubbed finish on the floor, providing a relaxing atmosphere. 

In addition, a light window that also serves as a ventilation window was added to the wall on the courtyard side to allow light to softly shine into the warm space. On the other hand, the“Futami no Yu,”which is large enough for a family to bathe together, was entirely designed with granite finished by a jet burner. The drainage area, which was required because of the continuous flow of water, was covered with cobble gravel, and the ceiling was partially covered with latticework of Aomori hiba (Aomori cypress), adding a change to the bathroom space. 

In addition,the wall surface, which had large aluminum sash windows, was replaced with a single-pane FIX window that emphasizes horizontal lines. By reducing the height of the windows, their aimed to create a relaxing space where brightness and darkness coexist. In both bathrooms, the water spouts were made originally from Aomori hiba.The baths were designed to visually experience the free-flowing water as well as pleasing to the eye.