‘field suite spa’ by kengo kuma invites guests to soak in japan's natural beauty

field suite spa

the duality of field suite spa – scheduled to open on the 15th april 2022 – lies in the changing seasons. colder times see the surroundings enveloped in snowcaps, frosty breeze, and the details of the mountain ridges peeking through the piles of snowflakes that have accumulated around them. warmer days and nights expect the caress of the sun rays that penetrate the windows, lighting up the nature-infused ambiance of the lands in the upcoming spa resort in japan, under snow peak’s helm and designed by architect kengo kuma. ‘we designed the villa as a place where you can return to the wild of human beings, facing the nature that snow peak is aiming for. I hope that by facing the changing seasons and nature, the existence of my architecture will disappear,’ kuma shares.

positioned at shimodago, sanjo city, niigata prefecture, snow peak’s extended headquarters enjoy the embrace of nature and ‘the blessings of the earth’ – as the brand puts it – such as the natural-formed mountains, local and foreign trees, and the pure stream that flows inside and outside of the space. in the well-nuanced resort, guests are more than welcome to experience bathing, dining, and recharging where nature forms a bond with them as one, the core of the new sought-after getaway.

images couresty of kengo kuma and associates

soaking in the scenery and nature

‘soak in the scenery; soak in the seasons,’ the brand invites. a natural hot spring fostered in the nature of shimodago gushes in the spa resort. the main public bath is designed to carve a view of the natural landscape of awagatake, one of the 300 famous mountains in japan which the guests are encouraged to enjoy from the indoor bath, open-air bath, washroom, and sauna. ‘it is the ultimate healing spring that bathes the whole body in nature with both the hot springs and the sauna as warm as a bonfire,’ the brand shares.

charcoal-colored wood clambers around the sauna area, creating a calm atmosphere. featuring a panoramic view covered with glass, guests can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, such as the contrast with bright green in the green season and the contrast with the pure white snow in the winter season. a 360-degree sauna heater is used in the center of the sauna area, so to enjoy the time around the bonfire while enjoying the sauna. ‘by experiencing the warm natural hot springs that are born from the great outdoors, we can see that our lives are based on nature when we look back on our daily lives. I hope it will give you an opportunity to remember,’ says lisa yamai, president and CEO of snow peak.

basking in nature

the dining experience

after a long soak, the dining experience must become the next destination at the field suite spa. ‘restaurant yukimine’ aims to be a restaurant where guests can savor the rich blessings of shimodago and the emotions of the creator under the theme of ‘water’, the source of human beings. kazushige domon, the spa resort’s chief chef, prepares dishes that reflect the rich greenery, solemn natural environment, and mystery unique of shimodago.

‘water and soil are very important natural resources that can be referred to as the source of life for human beings to live. we believe that it will be a special dining experience to have various ingredients prepared by making the best use of the resources together with the emotions that spring up in the nature experience and the feelings of the creator,’ he shares.

‘I hope that by facing the changing seasons and nature, the existence of my architecture will disappear,’ kuma shares