Shishi-Iwa House

Shishi-Iwa House is a powerful tribute to nature and architecture in Karuizawa, a mountain resort town near Tokyo. The first two light-filled houses were created by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban. The third, SSH No 03, is the first hotel project by Ryue Nishizawa, another Pritzker winner. The 10 rooms and one cabin villa embrace a less-is-more philosophy, sparsely decorated and built using hinoki wood and sustainably sourced timber. The hotel has 10 pavilions linked by winding walkways and garden courtyards that put the focus on the surrounding greenery. It houses a collection of about 50 original ukiyo-e woodblock prints from artists including Hiroshige. SSH No 03 is also a wellness escape, with a bathhouse and tea house, and plans to provide massage, yoga and meditation sessions.