STORY

A Kominka is an old Japanese folk house, which is basically structured with wood, clay,and straw . It has few walls, a high floor and a high ceiling. These features are due to the typical Japanese climate: hot summers with high humidity. Kominka were built of natural materials that can be reused and recycled. In that sense, Kominka houses are not only ecological and economical, but also extremely sophisticated.
But they are really cold in winter and like most older Japanese houses became a symbol of ‘gaman’, which means ‘ endurance’.
We wanted to show that all old houses can be renovated to provide comfortable space during all seasons, use sustainable materials and promote traditional handcraft.
Here at the Kominka Koroku we don’t use imported fossils like gas or oil. Heating with pellets and installing just showers not to waste water, we aim to increase the awareness towards our precious resources . Bathing is a very important part of Japanese culture, it should be relaxing , slow and a benefit to the health. The ‘onsen’ , hot springs,of the neighborhood are created from water heated naturally underground, and the water varies both in degrees , in mineral composition and their perceived therapeutic benefits. Sitting under the sky in warm comfortable water, will make you feel calm, happy and conscious of a slower life.
Kominka Koroku is not a perfect hotel, and was never meant to be. We did a lot with our own hands to realize the above ideas and maybe it is a never ending story. But a story we like to share .