The tranquility of the mountains, the bounty of the sea.
A new life awaits in this meticulously restored traditional home, woven with time.
Shimomaki Village, located in the Kakizaki district of Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture, lies at the foot of Mt. Yoneyama, one of the three major pharmacist mountains in Japan where people gathered medicinal herbs centuries ago.
Here you can enjoy not only magnificent mountain and rural landscapes, but also stunning views of the Sea of Japan, just a 15-minute drive from Shimomaki.
In this quiet village stands a beautifully restored “kominka”, a traditional Japanese house, brought back to life by Karl Bengs, a German architect renowned for his work in revitalizing old traditional homes.
A new sophisticated kominka and an exceptional natural environment are waiting for you to begin a slow-living lifestyle at Shimomaki Village.
In Niigata, trees grow bent under the weight of heavy winter snow. Over a century ago, timbers were felled from the sacred Mt. Yoneyama. Skillful carpenters shaped these curved timbers with their axes, fitting them together to create sturdy houses that could withstand the heavy snow.
Like many old unoccupied farmhouses in rural Japan, the pillars and beams, along with the house and contents, were destined to be dismantled and incinerated. German architect Karl Bengs recognized their utility and lasting beauty, and was able to breathe new life into them. They now stand here once again as part of the Karl Bengs House “KUBO.”
Through the large front window, you can experience the beautiful scenery of rural Japan, largely unchanged since ancient times. Our ancestors undoubtedly lived their daily lives with the same view you see today. The community is committed to preserve this beautiful scenery to be enjoyed by future generations.
The Karl Bengs House “KUBO” will continue to stand in Shimomaki Village for centuries to come. KUBO eagerly awaits the day it will find an owner who can share a wonderful life here in Shimomaki.
A vivid color tells a story of renewal.
In Shimomaki Village, bright yellows and rich browns stand out, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding landscape. Honoring the craftsmanship of traditional wooden joinery while embracing a modern sensibility, KUBO represents a new chapter in the revival of kominka by Karl Bengs. This is a beautiful home where past and present unite harmoniously.
Space between the floor and exposed beams.
The inner garage offers direct access from your car to the kitchen. Through glass walls, you can admire your prized motorcycles and cars. The space above the garage can be adapted to allow for the creation of an additional room.
Seasonal views through every window.
The approximately 20-tatami-mat-sized living, dining, and kitchen area (LDK) features large, German-made wooden sash windows facing south. You can enjoy the natural scenery as it changes through the four seasons. There is also an option to install a wood-burning stove.
A living room embraced by the breath of wood.
As you experience the transition of the seasons, this space offers simple yet rich moments. Unlike conventional Japanese homes, the central floor heating allows for comfortable living during cold winters. This living room stands as a symbol of the revived kominka, perfectly attuned to everyday life.
Beams connect a century past and the future.
Multiple beams join together to form the framework of the house. The original natural curves of the wood remain carrying craftsmanship from over a century ago into the next hundred years.
Bedroom
From the bedroom on the second floor, you can overlook the dining area, exposed beams, and garage.
Kitchen
The modern kitchen features Italian tiles and a Swedish kitchen system. The range hood, washbasin, and toilet counter are crafted by repurposing old pillars and floorboards.
Toilet & Washroom
Maintaining the traditional kominka design while balancing cleanliness and comfort are main features of the washroom. This small space offers a sense of beauty and warmth.
Entrance
The outer and inner doors of a nearby kura (traditional storehouse) have been adapted for the entrance doors. Storage under the stairs is made from a vintage tansu (chest of drawers), and old wooden sliding doors are reused throughout the house.
Bathroom
Preserving the sense of beauty, meticulous craftsmanship extends to every detail, providing a relaxing space for a luxurious bathing experience. This is a place not only to cleanse the body but also to heal and soothe the mind.
A video tour showcasing the interior of KUBO is available for you to enjoy.
Kael Bengs House “KUBO”
| Building Area | [1st Floor] Living space : 64.33m² Garage & storage : 28.72m² Total 1st floor area : 93.05m² [2nd Floor] Bedroom area : 27.12m² Loft above kitchen : 16.26m² Total 2nd floor area : 43.38m² |
| Total Building Area | 136.43m² |
| Land Area | 638m² |
| Floor Plan | 2LDK (2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, and kitchen) |
| Specifications | 1.Ground survey completed 2.Fully equipped open kitchen 3.In floor heating 4.Parking for three cars 5.Double washbasins 6.Heated toilet seat with bidet function 7.Bathroom with window 8.Water-saving toilet 9.Wooden flooring in all rooms |
Karl Bengs
Architectural designer
When I first arrived to Japan, it was the beginning of the second wave of high economic growth. Wooden buildings lined the streets of Ginza and I felt the “old-fashioned” Japanese aura everywhere. But as Japan’s economy prospered, buildings were made in conformity to the modern lifestyle, and the landscape changed drastically. Wherever I went, I could find neither the unique culture of an area nor the aura of life. The landscapes had become expressionless.
Higashiyama Kaii gave me the words, “A town without old buildings is the same as a person without memories.” If something is old, it is not worthless. Old things are filled with history and memories, and they are more than just things.
With the rise of mass production and disposable items, the Japanese may be forgetting to take care of their everyday things. It is sad to see what is becoming of such impressive culture that Japan had continued until recently. I wish to tell future generations about this fabulous culture through my works.
Minka revival is not just about rebuilding a house. I believe that Minka revival will provide an opportunity for us to review and reconsider the sense of value that arises from Japan’s current “scrap and build” culture.
KUBO — A Home in Harmony with Nature
At the foot of Mt. Yoneyama, one of the three major pharmacist mountains in Japan, lies the small mountain village of Shimomaki, Kakizaki District, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. Here, the timeless rural scenery, embraced in silence and enriched by the beauty of the four seasons, still thrives today.
In this village, Karl Bengs first created INABA, a restored kominka that combines the beauty of age with the comfort of modern living. Its charm has captured the hearts of many, including an American couple who now enjoy their life here.
In 2025, KUBO, the second home restored by Karl Bengs in Shimomaki, was completed. Now, two of his revitalized kominka stand gracefully, blending seamlessly with the mountains and sky.
Just a 15-minute drive away lies the Sea of Japan, making Shimomaki a place blessed by both mountains and sea. Here, a new way of life unfolds, where people live in perfect harmony with nature.
A place where you can appreciate the true beauty of the four seasons
You can see clearly different sceneries in Shimomaki-village season to season. Ripening rice plants in rice fields, the mountains turning red day by day and the ground covered with snow. IT is no exaggeration to say that the sceneries of each season in Shimomaki-village are the best in the world.
The inhabitants of Shimomaki-village used to run a teahouse for climbers of Mt. Yoneyama which is famous as one of the three major pharmacist montains in Japan
The lofty mountain at the back is Mt. Yoneyama: the summit is 993 meters above sea level, so you can climb to its top in only about one and half hours. Around 20 thousand climbers visit the mountain each year from inside and outside the Niigata prefecture. This Shimomaki-village has prospered by running a teahouse for visitors at the foot of Mt. Yoneyama. The spring water which flows into field and rice field at here is very pure and clear, because it is completely free from any household effluents which could come from other village or town. Therefore, the crops and vegetables grown with this water are amazingly tasty.
Winter is the best of all
There is snow everywhere in winter. A silent winter night indicates that snow falls so quietly. The ground is cover with shining fresh snow is as if it was a huge jeweled carpet.
You can spend much time on your hobbies during winter, for instance winter sports and hunting. Recently, the number of wild animals such as raccoon dog and wild boar is increasing instead of declining. You are able to enjoy fresh snow where no one has skied, if you early in the morning.
People expect to be exhausted everyday by clearing snow away, but the thought is totally old-fashioned. The function of a snowblower and a snowplow have improved a lot compared with the past, so that removing snow from the road is perfect every morning. You do not have to worry about the snow around the Karl Bengs house at all!
Japanese original landscape
Shimomaki-village sits is about 250 meters above sea level, so you can look down on the earth. You can get all of wonderful sceneries to yourself, for instance the mountains in Myoko, Kubiki plain, the setting sun over the Sea of Japan. Moreover, those sceneries change day by day, so they do not let you lose interest while you live surrounded by nature.
Fell in Love with This Land and Home
An American couple living in INABA share their life
in a Karl Bengs house and with the village of Shimomaki.
The first Karl Bengs home in Shimomaki, INABA, stands not far from KUBO.
Every day, we feel grateful for the beauty and craftsmanship of this 100-year-old kominka, built long ago by the skilled hands of local carpenters. The stunning beams, crafted from local trees, never lose their charm, and the way the house blends with the surrounding natural landscape gives us a deep sense of connection to this village.
Designed by Karl Bengs, our home stays warm in winter and cool in summer. Bathing while gazing out at the satoyama landscape and the Sea of Japan is a daily luxury, with the scenery changing beautifully from season to season. In spring, the first calls of the bush warbler announce the arrival of the new season. Life here, surrounded by nature, feels like an adventure, full of encounters with wildflowers, insects, and unexpected wildlife.
We enjoy visiting the region’s beautiful rural landscapes and harvesting seasonal vegetables from our own garden to share with our neighbors. Learning local traditions through interactions with children and taking part in community life has been deeply rewarding. Shopping at the local shops and supermarket is also a pleasure. The kindness of the shopkeepers is something we rarely experienced in the U.S., and it always warms our hearts. Everything we need is close at hand, and when we want something special, ordering online is quick and easy. Our daily bath in our furo room is like soaking in our personal onsen (hot spring).
Welcomed warmly by the villagers, we truly feel part of this community. The elders have taught us how to make homemade miso, sasadango (sweet rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), dried persimmons, and pickled plums. Our elderly neighbors also give us advice on how to raise vegetables the traditional way. Each year we look forward to local festivals and traditions such as Sai-no-Kami (New Year festival), the spring and autumn harvest blessings, Hina Matsuri, flowing somen noodles during hot summers, the cherry blossom festival, and more. Even our cat, Moka, is happily enjoying life here in Japan.
Those who seek fame or fortune know little of the quiet of this hill.
Pure air stirs morning and evening, and my life rests between heaven and earth.
I can breathe deeply, and my body moves with ease.
When I think of other places, none holds any allure.
Here, nothing intrudes.
The full moon shines and a fresh breeze blows.
Bernard Leach, potter and painter
Bernard Leach was born in England and was a close friend of Shoji Hamada, a Living National Treasure from Mashiko. Together, they devoted themselves to the revival of Japan’s traditional crafts, through the Mingei (Folk Crafts) Movement. founded by Soetsu Yanagi author of the unknown craftsman.
CONTACT
Please contact us about the Karl Bengs house freely.
You can also call us by phone.