Zao onsen Japan

Yamagata, Japan

Zao Onsen is the oldest hot spring resort in Yamagata Prefecture, and it has had 1,900 years of history since its establishment. In the 1990s, the area was bustling with activities and visitors who came to enjoy hot springs and skiing; however, Japan's continually declining and aging population, falling birthrate, increasing vacant buildings, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have severely affected the area as in many tourist towns in the country. The aging business owners in the Zao Onsen area have closed their shops, leaving their buildings unoccupied and the street quiet, and the number of tourists has significantly dropped. The population of Zao Onsen is now only about one-sixth of what it was in its heyday, at just over 300 people. Such a situation is quite common in many parts of the country.  

The project is a renovation of an existing building on Takayu Street that formerly housed an adored local sweets shop, "Maruden." The client, Yuge (a joint venture company of Hitotoba Design and Takamiya Ryokan), embarked on this renovation as their first project to utilize idle real estate and engage in community development in Zao Onsen, Yamagata City.

In this renovation, iVY collaborated with Yuge to preserve the memories of the community while creating a place where new visitors can casually drop in and gather, spreading its vitality and light onto Takayu Street. We strongly share Yuge's deep love for the richness of Zao Onsen and its greenery and their passion for community development, and we would like to support them in this endeavor to the fullest extent possible through design. The renovated space will house two new businesses, a cafe, and a diner, to revitalize the entry to this charming, old hot spring street.

See Press Release (日本語 / Japanese)