UBAKU Villa 宇莫別荘 | Works

Client: Own project (UBAKU)
Service: Renovation design supervision
Furniture and lighting selection
Branding
Website
Year: 2025–2026
Place: Naka-Ubakubetsu, Biei, Hokkaido

Overview

A former farmhouse built in 1968 and passed down for over half a century, in Naka-Ubakubetsu, Biei. The house stood empty. We took it on ourselves, from finding the property, and made it a private villa for one group a day. From renovation design supervision to branding (visual design and web design), everything shares one consistent world. Soft opening in December 2025, grand opening in January 2026.

1 group a day
10 guests max
4 bedrooms

Question

Can an empty former farmhouse become a place guests from around the world want to return to?

Before | A closed-in house

Wood-grain walls, brick pillars, tatami rooms. Long cared for, the house was divided room by room and dark, and the forest and hills outside were hard to see from inside.

The living room before renovation: wood-grain walls and brick pillars

The bedroom before renovation: a tatami room

Approach | Removing walls, letting the view lead

We removed the wall between the tatami room and the dining room to make one open space. Walls and floors are white and light wood, bringing in the light and the view. The kitchen, bath, and washroom were reworked to suit 10 guests. We chose furniture and lighting that do not compete with the view. The logo and cards share the same forest green and gold.

The living room with a stove and a large screen

SpaceRenovation design supervision

Drag the handle on each photo left and right to compare before and after.

Living room

A room of wood-grain walls and brick pillars becomes a white space that sets off the view.

The living room after renovation: white walls, a light wood floor, a sofa, and windows — After

Kitchen

An old sink becomes a fitted kitchen where guests enjoy cooking.

The kitchen after renovation: a black fitted kitchen and white walls — After

Bedroom

A tatami room becomes a bedroom with a wood ceiling and accent wallpaper.

The bedroom after renovation: a wood ceiling, accent wallpaper, and a bed — After

Bathroom

A tiled bathroom becomes a bright, roomy bath.

The bathroom after renovation: a bright modular bath — After

Washroom

The area around an old back door becomes a washroom with round mirrors.

The washroom after renovation: a vanity with two round mirrors — After

Restroom

An old toilet with handrails becomes a calm space with a hand basin.

The restroom after renovation: gray walls, a hand basin, and indirect lighting — After

Laundry

A narrow, corridor-like space becomes a laundry room with a washing machine.

The laundry after renovation: white walls and a washing machine — After

Workspace

A small tatami room becomes a workspace for two.

The workspace after renovation: a window counter and two chairs — After

BrandVisual identity

Web | ubakuvilla.com

Logo

Green

Gold

#29463DForest green #C4B370Gold #F4F1EANatural white

Color

Message Card

Welcome Card

Learning

Rather than renewing everything,
keep what can be kept.

We kept the parts with real weight, like the staircase, wherever we could. The mix of old and new gives this house its own character. Keeping what can be kept also helps balance the renovation budget. We want to go on leaving traces of the life once lived here.

Credits

Produce・Space Design: UBAKU Design
Visual Identity・Web: UBAKU Design
Construction: 大創ホーム
Operation: UBAKU Villa

Visit the UBAKU Villa 宇莫別荘 website ↗

Next Project UBAKU See the case →