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Situated at the threshold between the historic town of Yugawara and the renowned onsen destination Atami, Japan, Co-Onsen is a hidden gem rich with history and thoughtful modern comforts.ClientThe Road Not TakenAreaLand 1,000 sqmBuilding

Before EXP.Co-Onsen was in its current form, it belonged to the political figure Shin Kanemaru - converting it, and its expansive garden - required balancing preservation with with quiet innovation. To convert a historic house with a large garden where the controversial public figure Shin Kanemaru once lived was a balance of preservation and innovation. Other than the beautiful architecture, this house was chosen partially for its 'in-between' location. Geographically, Co-Onsen lays symbolically between Atami and Yugawara; Atami, a culturally significant town as the birthplace of Sino-Japanese relations, and Yugawara as a historical retreat to Japan's literary giants. This gave rise to our concept of 'bridging'. The garden of EXP._Co-Onsen stays true to this concept; bridging the natural landscape with the carefully planned one crafted by acclaimed landscaper Michio Tase.It incorporates the technique of 借景庭園 (shakkei teien). This literally translates to ‘borrowed landscape’. This refers to the practice of leaving the garden partially open - intentionally incorporating surrounding scenery to the composition of the landscape, taking it from a standalone feature to a participant in a much larger scene. EXP._Co-Onsen frames the mountains of Yugawara as if they were a part of the garden themselves. Left untouched for years, the garden began to reflect the native vegetation of the Yukawa River that it sits on the banks of. Tase-San nurtured this, creating a space rich in regional character and biodiversity. As spring rolls around, the garden takes on flashes of white, as ume, sakura, rhododendron alongside wildflowers begin to bloom.‍