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kooo architects creates a wooden interior sanctuary for contemporary accommodation in Kyoto City
Japan Architecture News - Feb 23, 2026 - 05:01 226 views
Rooted in Japan’s region-specific natural and cultural heritage, Kiraku, the operator of the luxury onsen ryokan brand Atona in partnership with Hyatt affiliates, has introduced a new private villa accommodation brand, Kiraku Tei.
The inaugural property, Kiraku Tei Kiyomizu, marks the brand’s first expression, with kooo architects responsible for the architectural and interior design as well as overall design supervision.
Operations are entrusted to Mudani, an affiliated company of Nazuna, renowned for its expertise in high-end villa-style accommodations created through the sensitive renovation of traditional Kyoto townhouses.
This collaboration brings together refined hospitality management and a deeply contextual architectural approach.
Entrance: A space enveloped in the natural textures of wood, stone, and earth, designed to continue seamlessly from the alleyway approach
Located along the historic Ishibei-koji Alley, the project draws inspiration from the alley’s defining spatial qualities. The low stone walls lining the narrow path carefully control sightlines, creating a strong sense of enclosure and tranquility.
Rather than treating the accommodation as a self-contained object, the design embraces this depth and intimacy as part of the guest journey, allowing the experience to unfold seamlessly from the alley into the interior spaces.
To reinforce this continuity, kooo architects centered the design on three natural materials—stone, wood, and earth—which define the surrounding streetscape.
These materials dissolve the boundary between town and dwelling, ensuring the architecture feels inseparable from its historic context.
On the first floor, Juraku plaster, characteristic of Ishibei-koji, preserves the alley’s subdued atmosphere while gently drawing guests inward.
First floor: Guests can enjoy meals at a fully equipped kitchen and counter, suitable for hosting a private chef. The adjacent tatami room may also be used as a bedroom for two, offering flexibility in use
The spatial composition respects the principles of traditional Kyoto townhouses, balancing privacy with the careful introduction of light and air. Soft daylight enters through an inner courtyard, its presence subtly articulated across curved wall surfaces.
Second Floor: A bedroom incorporating traditional Japanese design elements, along with a bath and bathing space finished with hinoki wood on the ceiling, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.offering flexibility in use
On the second floor, a sloped reed ceiling along the windows diffuses natural light, creating a serene and contemplative environment.
Guest rooms further extend this refined sensibility. A bedroom informed by traditional Japanese design, paired with a flexible bathing space and a hinoki-clad ceiling, evokes warmth and quiet comfort.
Through material restraint and precise architectural gestures, Kiraku Tei Kiyomizu offers an immersive, sensory experience that translates the timeless elegance of Kyoto’s townhouse culture into a contemporary private villa retreat.
First floor and second floor plan. Image © kooo architects
kooo architects also designed a jewelry store that features a transparent screen with floating halos to showcase jewels vertically in Suzhou, China. Additionally, the studio completed a new store at Plaza 66 in Wuhan, China.
Project facts
Project: Kiraku Tei Kiyomizu
Location: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0825, Japan Room 1
Open date: January 1, 2026
Business Plan/Project Management/Asset Management: Kiraku, Inc.
Operation: MUDANI inc.
Floor area: 120m2
Site area: 95m2
Design/Supervision: kooo architects
Structure Design/Supervision: TAKEO IMAI ARCHITECTURE OFFICE
Landscape. LANDSAT Co.,Ltd
Construction: Auto and House Co., Ltd
All images © Keishin Horikoshi/SS Tokyo.
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