Dear visitors,
Thank you for your interest in Shunyoso, a historic country retreat on Awaji Island, just 90 minutes away from Kyoto, Osaka, and 60 minutes from Kobe.
Shunyo-so was built in 1941 as the company president’s residence and office of the Iwaki family who gained wealth in the shipbuilding industry. The property was designed by Mr. Houen Yamamoto who reflected the philosophy of Feng Shui and constructed by a head carpenter, Sankichi Saito, taking 7 years of construction.
Over 1,400 square meters of Shunyoro property consists of 8 buildings including the Western-style guest house, warehouse, guest hall, meditation wing, and permanent residence, all of which were registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2004.
The elegant Japanese-style architecture, which incorporates some modern elements in the Japanese interpretation of a Western guest house creates a harmonious and quaint appearance with the walls and gates designed by architect Kan Izue. This special house was registered as a tangible cultural property in 2004, and later designated as an important building for landscape formation in Hyogo Prefecture in March 2017.
In recent years, the landscape and lifestyle of the island have been changing due to the high aging of the population and the social trend that demands modern efficiency. Shunyoso was no different; it also became difficult for the owner to maintain, and the gate remained closed for a long time… Therefore, in 2015, a new landlord, the fourth generation, purchased it and started repairs in order to utilize the precious cultural assets that could otherwise be painfully lost for good, leaving no opportunities to the next generations.
It is an attempt to revitalize Awaji Island as a new international tourism resource by letting people know the traditional techniques that are difficult to reproduce today. The playful and detailed designs of craftsmen demonstrate the unique historical and cultural values. While the Western-style guest house is used as an accommodation facility, the main building, Jojyu-den, is used as a place to inherit various Japanese intangible cultures such as Awaji Ningyo Joruri, a traditional puppet show, photo sessions in kimono or yukata, and tea ceremonies. Preserving the house is also enhanced by the digitization using the technology of virtual reality supported by the national Agency for Cultural Affaires.
In order to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs while reducing the environmental burdens and contributing to a low-carbon, recycling-oriented society, Shunyoso has been treated with a new life filled with the island’s gems of traditional culture and customs. We hope that Shunyoso will attract visitors for the Japanese traditional cultural full-immersion experience and the local people as a “important place” to pass on to years to come. We truly hope that you select our place to contribute positively to our cause.
Sincerely yours,
Shunyoso owner, Masaru Takayama
360 Heritage Virtual Tours