Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP has created a volcanic valley retreat in Japan to restore worship and gratitude to the power of nature.

The project is an open tree house that sits above the ground in the foothills of Mt. Kamiyama, the last of the Hakone volcanoes to remain active and the subject of the goshinka-sai holy fire festival.

The tree-hut hotel faces the mountains and nestles among the forest trees. As the Japanese people in ancient times lived modestly yet with abundance by worshipping and receiving the blessings of nature, this architecture also offers prayer to Mt. Kamiyama as the symbol of Hakone's land and culture.

It is a small retreat for people today seeking relief from the mass consumption of society, to leave the bustle of their daily lives and restore their worship and gratitude for nature.

This project has been longlisted in the hospitality building category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Architect: Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

Project: Tree Hut on Volcano

Read more: Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP