Add To Collection
Add to Collection
House of Kura-do
House of Kura-do
Tokyo, Japan
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Other Projects by Tsutsumi And Associates
House of Kura-do
Tokyo, Japan
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2025
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
$500K - 1M
This project involved the renovation of a unit within a housing complex along the Tokyo waterfront. One of the client’s key requests was to create a space that embraced antique architectural elements, particularly traditional Japanese doors known as kura-do—heavy wooden doors once used in storehouses to protect valuables. These doors combine decorative appeal with practical strength, and in this project, four unique antique kura-do were sourced and carefully restored to fit new openings designed specifically for them. The original finishes varied in tone and texture due to sun exposure and thick layers of paint, so all surfaces were stripped to reveal the rich natural grain of solid woods such as cedar, cypress, and zelkova. Rare antique textured glass, with a faceted surface that diffuses light and obscures vision, was also inserted into the doors as a striking design accent.
The original layout—a cramped three-bedroom apartment with an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area—was reconfigured into a more spacious two-bedroom home. A Japanese-style room was added adjacent to the new living-dining-kitchen (LDK) area, forming a continuous space that can be enclosed with sliding doors to function as a guest room when needed. Between the master bedroom and bathroom, a tempered glass wall creates a sense of openness, allowing views of Tokyo’s night skyline from the bath through the bedroom. A dimmable privacy film was applied to the glass, and wooden blinds on the bedroom side ensure complete privacy when required. The bathroom features a custom-made unit bath fitted with a cypress tub, cypress louvers on the walls, and flooring and wainscoting in Towada stone, creating a refined and luxurious atmosphere.
Natural light and views were also considered in the layout: a small window behind the kitchen allows glimpses of the outside world even from the hallway near the bedroom and toilet. This ensures a sense of connection with the outdoors from anywhere in the home.
Finishes were selected with care for both environmental and personal well-being, including teak flooring, oak veneer, plaster made primarily from volcanic ash, and mud walls with embedded rice straw. The Japanese-style room features Awa washi paper on the walls, dyed in indigo gradients to echo the shifting tones of the nearby river and sea. The kitchen’s back panel incorporates a series of small, framed cabinet doors, creating a design that resonates with the latticework of the kura-do. The result is a harmonious blend of old and new, bringing a quiet dignity to the space. This is a home where tradition and modernity coexist, offering a daily experience that feels close to both nature and life.
The original layout—a cramped three-bedroom apartment with an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area—was reconfigured into a more spacious two-bedroom home. A Japanese-style room was added adjacent to the new living-dining-kitchen (LDK) area, forming a continuous space that can be enclosed with sliding doors to function as a guest room when needed. Between the master bedroom and bathroom, a tempered glass wall creates a sense of openness, allowing views of Tokyo’s night skyline from the bath through the bedroom. A dimmable privacy film was applied to the glass, and wooden blinds on the bedroom side ensure complete privacy when required. The bathroom features a custom-made unit bath fitted with a cypress tub, cypress louvers on the walls, and flooring and wainscoting in Towada stone, creating a refined and luxurious atmosphere.
Natural light and views were also considered in the layout: a small window behind the kitchen allows glimpses of the outside world even from the hallway near the bedroom and toilet. This ensures a sense of connection with the outdoors from anywhere in the home.
Finishes were selected with care for both environmental and personal well-being, including teak flooring, oak veneer, plaster made primarily from volcanic ash, and mud walls with embedded rice straw. The Japanese-style room features Awa washi paper on the walls, dyed in indigo gradients to echo the shifting tones of the nearby river and sea. The kitchen’s back panel incorporates a series of small, framed cabinet doors, creating a design that resonates with the latticework of the kura-do. The result is a harmonious blend of old and new, bringing a quiet dignity to the space. This is a home where tradition and modernity coexist, offering a daily experience that feels close to both nature and life.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.