Project Name: Hiruzen Soba-no-Yakata

Location: Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture, Japan

Design Team: STUDIO YY

Total Floor Area: 271.64 m²

Completion: 2022

Photography: Hiroki Akita (SS)

Feature: STUDIO YY has completed the Hiruzen Soba-no-Yakata, a contemporary soba restaurant in Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture, that merges traditional architectural forms with modern timber technology. The project rebuilds a beloved municipal eatery that was destroyed by fire, transforming it into a cultural destination where visitors can experience both local soba culture and regional craftsmanship.

The most distinctive feature is the innovative use of CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels to create a modern interpretation of the irimoya, a traditional Japanese hip-and-gable roof. Four massive CLT panels lean against and support each other, forming a column-free interior space that offers unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. This structural solution represents a remarkable fusion of vernacular architecture with contemporary engineered wood technology sourced from Maniwa's own forestry industry. A total of 24 interconnected CLT panels (150mm thickness, 5-layer 5-ply) collectively form the large roof capable of supporting snow depths of 140 centimeters, spanning 9.1 meters in beam width and 12.74 meters in ridge length in the dining area without any intermediate supports.

Encircling the main structure, a delicate three-dimensional curved canopy responds directly to the undulating ridgeline of the Hiruzen mountain range visible in the distance. This gracefully sloping eave not only frames panoramic views of the mountains but also prevents snow accumulation in this heavy snowfall region where winter depths reach 140 centimeters. Composed of slender steel frames and decorative wooden rafters, the canopy creates an engawa-like transitional space, blurring boundaries between interior dining areas and the dramatic natural setting. The architects ingeniously channeled the majority of seismic horizontal forces to the kitchen side, thereby achieving large openings in the dining section and creating a seamless relationship with the surrounding environment.

STUDIO YY integrated multiple local craft traditions throughout the design. The entrance features noren curtains depicting the iconic three peaks of Hiruzen, created using traditional dyeing techniques preserved in nearby Katsuyama. Interior furnishings incorporate kumiko latticework, another regional specialty. The architects reference the Omiya Odori, an intangible cultural heritage dance performed beneath irimoya roofs, establishing continuity between architectural form and living tradition. The low canopy and large openings on three sides allow visitors to enjoy both the summer mountain scenery of Hiruzen and the beautiful panoramic views of the winter silver world.

By employing 24 interconnected CLT panels with exposed joinery and combining structural innovation with cultural sensitivity, the project demonstrates how contemporary architecture can honor regional identity while creating flexible, inviting public spaces that celebrate both culinary and landscape experiences. The building successfully connects Hiruzen's culture, landscape, tradition, industry, technology, and tourism, becoming an important node for regional revitalization.

Design Team: Founded in 2015 by Yuichi Tanaka and Tsuyoshi Nakamoto, STUDIO YY has established itself as an innovative architectural practice that synthesizes traditional Japanese building culture with contemporary construction technologies. Both principals bring extensive international experience, with Tanaka having worked at NAP Architects and NL Architects in the Netherlands, while Nakamoto honed his expertise at renowned offices including OMA, REX Architects, and Asymptote in New York.

The Tokyo-based firm has garnered significant recognition for its contextually responsive designs that integrate regional materials, local craftsmanship, and cultural heritage. Their portfolio demonstrates particular excellence in public and cultural facilities, including roadside stations, community centers, and educational buildings. Notable projects such as the Hiruzen Soba-no-Yakata and Makino Roadside Station in Sakawa showcase their ability to employ engineered timber systems, particularly CLT panels, to reinterpret vernacular architectural typologies for contemporary use.

STUDIO YY's design philosophy emphasizes creating buildings that serve as catalysts for community engagement while celebrating specific geographic and cultural identities. The practice consistently succeeds in design competitions, demonstrating their capacity to address complex programmatic requirements while maintaining architectural rigor and sensitivity to place. Their work has received numerous accolades, including the 2025 KUKAN OF THE YEAR Grand Prize, 2025 Japan Wood Design Award Grand Prize (Minister of the Environment Prize), 2024 Nichijiren Architectural Award Excellence Award, 2024 Good Design Award, and 2023 Wood Design Award Minister Prize.

Yuichi Tanaka was born in Fukushima Prefecture in 1982, graduated from Yokohama National University's Faculty of Engineering in 2006, and completed his studies at Yokohama Graduate School of Architecture (Y-GSA) in 2009. Before establishing STUDIO YY, he worked at NL Architects in the Netherlands and served at NAP Architects until 2014. Tsuyoshi Nakamoto was born in Tottori Prefecture in 1977 and graduated from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo's Department of Architecture in 2005. He accumulated extensive international experience in New York, working successively at Asymptote, REX Architects, and OMA, before returning to Japan to work at NAP Architects until 2014.

Beyond practice, through innovative use of regional materials, in-depth research on site specificity, and continuous exploration of cultural heritage, STUDIO YY has established itself as a significant contributor to contemporary Japanese architectural discourse, creating architectural works that are both environmentally responsive and maintain architectural excellence. Under the continued leadership of Yuichi Tanaka and Tsuyoshi Nakamoto, the firm currently occupies a unique position within Japan's architectural landscape, focusing on creating architectural spaces filled with vitality that merge traditional wisdom with contemporary technology.