Bring the Tranquil Japanese Ryokan Look Home
Recreate the look of a Japanese guest house for a Zen-like place for quiet contemplation
In the chaos common at this time of year, it’s important to take some time out and focus on serenity and relaxation to avoid getting overwhelmed. If you don’t have the time to go on a mediation retreat, or the money to zip off for a quick visit to the temples and guest houses of Japan, recreate the look of an inviting ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – in your own home. Think translucent shoji screens, beautiful Buddha statues and a minimalism that borders on the meditative.
Get the look: This contemporary Japanese-style living room uses its light-toned natural timber floor, ceiling and furniture pieces to connect the space to the natural world, and to bring a sense of peace to the space. The style is simple and unfussy, with clean lines, predominately neutral tones and freshness brought in by the white walls, sofa and floor lamp, as well as the carefully shaped bonsai in the corner. A softly coloured rug, brightened by indigo floor cushions, ties in perfectly with the wall-hung kimonos, adding personality to the overall design.
Large windows, a clerestory window and a translucent shoji screen help to bathe the room in natural light, reinforcing the sense of serenity and making this a beautifully calm and relaxing space designed to encourage a positive mood in all who make use of it.
Large windows, a clerestory window and a translucent shoji screen help to bathe the room in natural light, reinforcing the sense of serenity and making this a beautifully calm and relaxing space designed to encourage a positive mood in all who make use of it.
In the kitchen
In this expansive kitchen, simplicity is key to its refreshing design. Here, clean lines and natural materials once again feature strongly. You can see it in the timber-clad ceiling beams, the joinery and the traditional ceramics and tableware displayed proudly on open shelving. A ryokan’s kitchen would need to cater to multiple guests at a time, so plenty of preparation space is a must. The oversized island in this kitchen would serve the needs of many diners quite easily.
In this expansive kitchen, simplicity is key to its refreshing design. Here, clean lines and natural materials once again feature strongly. You can see it in the timber-clad ceiling beams, the joinery and the traditional ceramics and tableware displayed proudly on open shelving. A ryokan’s kitchen would need to cater to multiple guests at a time, so plenty of preparation space is a must. The oversized island in this kitchen would serve the needs of many diners quite easily.
Get the look: For a similarly welcoming style in a smaller kitchen, embrace the warmth of timber in a pared-back, unadorned design as seen in the cabinetry of this kitchen. Keep to a neutral palette on walls and trims, and provide plenty of uncluttered space for light and air to flow freely around, keeping the energy of the space and those who live in it unhindered.
Whether you follow the teachings of Buddha or not, a nook dedicated to the Enlightened One, with simple detailing to embellish the space, will set a contemplative mood and may help to calm the chaos of this often busy area.
How to plan a Japanese-style kitchen
Whether you follow the teachings of Buddha or not, a nook dedicated to the Enlightened One, with simple detailing to embellish the space, will set a contemplative mood and may help to calm the chaos of this often busy area.
How to plan a Japanese-style kitchen
In the bathroom
Japanese style is basic yet beautiful, relying on the quality of materials and expert craftsmanship to create an impact rather than over-the-top decor. In this bathroom, the minimal lines and unadorned design highlight the rich tones of the wall, tiles, vanity and floor, helping these elements to stand out more. Thanks to their simple style, and the contrast of dark elements against the white of the toilet and the light-filled shoji screen, a dramatic impact is created.
Japanese style is basic yet beautiful, relying on the quality of materials and expert craftsmanship to create an impact rather than over-the-top decor. In this bathroom, the minimal lines and unadorned design highlight the rich tones of the wall, tiles, vanity and floor, helping these elements to stand out more. Thanks to their simple style, and the contrast of dark elements against the white of the toilet and the light-filled shoji screen, a dramatic impact is created.
Get the look: Ornamentation does have its place in Japanese style, however, just be sure not to go over the top with it. Here, a simple ofuro-style wooden bath – typically found in ryokans across Japan, is set off by the dark, textured wall behind it, the pretty paper lining the backs of the three recessed shelves, and the natural branch-like embellishments on two walls. A lion’s head water feature, while not typically Japanese, adds a spectacle to the space, which is rounded off by the bright purple of the allium flowers.
Browse more beautiful Asian-style bathrooms
Browse more beautiful Asian-style bathrooms
In the bedroom
This sensational space is the pinnacle of Japanese style, featuring a sleep space worthy of the finest ryokan, seen through a screened-off moon door – an indoor appropriation of the traditional moon gate found in many a Chinese and Japanese garden. The sliding door on one side of the understated bedroom leads out to a timber boardwalk and the naturally landscaped garden that lies beyond, providing a tranquil escape for all who need it.
This sensational space is the pinnacle of Japanese style, featuring a sleep space worthy of the finest ryokan, seen through a screened-off moon door – an indoor appropriation of the traditional moon gate found in many a Chinese and Japanese garden. The sliding door on one side of the understated bedroom leads out to a timber boardwalk and the naturally landscaped garden that lies beyond, providing a tranquil escape for all who need it.
Get the look: The circular doors and windows often featured in contemporary Japanese architecture and design provide a metaphorical portal between two worlds as they represent traditional moon gates. The curved lines of these features help to link the space they sit in to the softer side of the natural world, aiding in the creation of a more placid atmosphere.
Featuring these circular portals, achieved here with the detailing on the sliding door, the round seating space and the hanging pendants, alongside a natural palette and plenty of indoor/outdoor flow helps to create a sleep space purpose-built for relaxation.
Featuring these circular portals, achieved here with the detailing on the sliding door, the round seating space and the hanging pendants, alongside a natural palette and plenty of indoor/outdoor flow helps to create a sleep space purpose-built for relaxation.
In the dining room
A Japanese guest house wouldn’t be complete without a beautifully presented dining room. In traditional Japan, that would often mean seats that were close to the floor – or even simple mats or cushions – and low-profile tables in the centre of an open space. This is because of the popularity of comfortable tatami mats that historically covered the floors of Japanese homes and guest houses.
Get the look: To recreate this look in your own home, keep decorations in your dining room to a minimum to provide a nice clear space for your tatami mats, low dining table and legless chairs or floor cushions. Once again, natural materials and a neutral colour scheme reign supreme, with the uncluttered design allowing the space and all who use it to breathe deeply and embrace equanimity.
A Japanese guest house wouldn’t be complete without a beautifully presented dining room. In traditional Japan, that would often mean seats that were close to the floor – or even simple mats or cushions – and low-profile tables in the centre of an open space. This is because of the popularity of comfortable tatami mats that historically covered the floors of Japanese homes and guest houses.
Get the look: To recreate this look in your own home, keep decorations in your dining room to a minimum to provide a nice clear space for your tatami mats, low dining table and legless chairs or floor cushions. Once again, natural materials and a neutral colour scheme reign supreme, with the uncluttered design allowing the space and all who use it to breathe deeply and embrace equanimity.
Something Special
Outdoor spa (onsen)
Old-style ryokan would often have been located near to volcanic hot springs, in order for their guests to take advantage of the soothing waters and their beautiful landscapes. While this may not be an option for you, you can still bring a touch of this tradition into your home with a Japanese-style spa placed in a private, perfectly landscaped garden or on a deck or patio with a view of a nearby natural environment.
Outdoor spa (onsen)
Old-style ryokan would often have been located near to volcanic hot springs, in order for their guests to take advantage of the soothing waters and their beautiful landscapes. While this may not be an option for you, you can still bring a touch of this tradition into your home with a Japanese-style spa placed in a private, perfectly landscaped garden or on a deck or patio with a view of a nearby natural environment.
Meditation room
For an extra touch of the tranquil life, a dedicated meditation space would be the ultimate inclusion. While a traditional ryokan would be more likely to have a space with an altar dedicated to prayer rather than meditation, this more secular approach serves a similar purpose. The neutral space featuring minimal decorations is connected to the natural world by screened sliding doors and windows. The open area with only a comfortable place to sit and a small table for tea, provides a clear, clean environment for guests and residents to take time out, turn their minds inward, and reflect on what’s really important.
5 Things You Need to Create a Mindful Space Right at Home
For an extra touch of the tranquil life, a dedicated meditation space would be the ultimate inclusion. While a traditional ryokan would be more likely to have a space with an altar dedicated to prayer rather than meditation, this more secular approach serves a similar purpose. The neutral space featuring minimal decorations is connected to the natural world by screened sliding doors and windows. The open area with only a comfortable place to sit and a small table for tea, provides a clear, clean environment for guests and residents to take time out, turn their minds inward, and reflect on what’s really important.
5 Things You Need to Create a Mindful Space Right at Home
Zen garden
This indoor Zen garden – also called a rock garden – features natural stones placed purposefully in a sea of lush moss and smooth pebbles. These gardens traditionally featured in Zen temples from the 14th century in Japan, representing the essence of nature and aiding in meditation, the perfect feature for a home where peace is sought after.
TELL US
How have you achieved peace and calm in your home? Share your tips for creating a tranquil retreat in the Comments below.
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Japanordic – an International Design Love Affair
This indoor Zen garden – also called a rock garden – features natural stones placed purposefully in a sea of lush moss and smooth pebbles. These gardens traditionally featured in Zen temples from the 14th century in Japan, representing the essence of nature and aiding in meditation, the perfect feature for a home where peace is sought after.
TELL US
How have you achieved peace and calm in your home? Share your tips for creating a tranquil retreat in the Comments below.
MORE
Japanordic – an International Design Love Affair
Japanese hospitality is renowned throughout the world, and this is in part because of the welcoming nature of their famed guest houses, known as ryokan in Japanese. These traditional inns are all about the comfort of their guests, who, upon entering the inn, step barefoot onto soft tatami mats and are instantly surrounded by a sense of serenity. This is enhanced by simple furniture made from natural materials, and a pared-back colour scheme that soothes the senses. A framed view of a beautiful natural scene also doesn’t hurt.