“Thirty-five days out of every month are rainy.” Such is the description of Yakushima. (Fumiko Hayashi, Ukigumo, Shincho Bunko, 1953, p. 428.) When it rains, large drops pound the earth, and thick fog settles in.

After the rain, droplets fall from the moist treetops; when the clouds part, sunlight illuminates the wet rock surfaces with a lustrous glow, and the accumulated water droplets sparkle brilliantly. On this island, the light and air change moment by moment, revealing a multitude of expressions. We propose architecture that embraces the blessings of this beautiful, living nature.

The site, situated on the mountainside of Yakushima, lies on a gentle south-facing slope that opens toward the sea, with a horizon stretching far into the distance below. Behind it, mountains of overwhelming scale—including Mount Motchom—loom close, making this a special place surrounded by a panorama of sea and mountains. In response to the dynamic 360-degree landscape, we plan a building with a large circular floor plan inspired by the “growth rings of Yakusugi cedar,” a symbol of vitality and the passage of time. With no specific front or back, this building opens in all directions, allowing it to fully embrace the magnificent scenery. This large circle is a three-dimensional “sake cup” shape, billowing with soft curves. The cup, opened wide toward the sky, is a “vessel” that receives the pouring rain and light, manifesting the beauty of nature. The water filling the cup reflects the sky and the mountains; when rain falls, it creates countless ripples, and when the wind blows, the water’s surface ripples.

It vividly visualizes the Earth’s cycles, which we usually take for granted. A stay here is more than just admiring the scenery. It is an experience of immersing oneself in the landscape within a space that resonates with the ever-changing expressions of nature. A place where people “dwell” in search of peace.
A place where the grandeur of nature “dwells.”