Several years ago, when architect Michiyo Yoshimura was looking for a quick escape with her husband and her infant son, she realized there was a dearth of child-friendly vacation options. She and her architect husband Yasutaka Yoshimura of Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects hit upon the idea of a weekly resort rental, and created a collection of seaside houses under the name Nowhere Resort.
The Nowhere but Hayama project, is a renovated Japanese house that was originally built over 80 years ago. Located an hour's train ride away from Tokyo in Hayama on the Miura Peninsula, the town has long been a retreat for urbanites many of whom own second homes here (in fact, the Imperial Family's own bolt-hole is located right next door). A nearby rental property just south, called Nowhere but Sajima, is a modern house that seems to float above the sea. For more information, go to Nowhere Resort.
Nowhere but Hayama
Above: The architects were required to make seismic upgrades to the building. The architects were required to make seismic upgrades to the building. They kept the traditional exterior shell and added four modern units within the house creating a seamless transition between new and old. For more information, go to Nowhere but Hayama.
Above: A modern chandelier and twisting wood block stairs contrast with the traditional architecture.
Above: Two supporting beams in the kitchen are incorporated into the custom table.
Above: In lieu of tatami, the architects have used wood for flooring. An oversized cut out door frame stands where sliding doors would normally have been used.
Above: The bedroom, one of the four modern units within the house created by the architects. The window panel looks onto the staircase.
Above: A jacuzzi off the bedroom with a view over the sea. The house is a one minute walk to the beach.
Above; The traditional engawa, the veranda that marks the transition between the indoors and outdoors.
Nowhere but Sajima
Located on the sea in Sajima, just south of Hayama, is Nowhere but Sajima, a modern concrete three-story house also available for rent.
Above: The north-facing facade has floor-to-ceiling windows that abut the harbor wall.
Above: Visible from an adjacent beach, the house is angled so the views look out across the bay. On a clear day, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance.
Above: A bedroom with maritime views.
N.B. This post is an update, the original post date ran on May 3, 2010.