A Masterpiece of Architectural Love: The Lodge That Lives and Breathes

The Architect's Personal Journey

Nine years of living, learning, and perfecting. Before designing this extraordinary residence, the architect had already created his own home, living within its walls for nearly a decade. Every morning coffee, every evening sunset, every seasonal change taught him lessons about how spaces truly work. The successes and the small regrets of his own dwelling became the foundation for something even more magnificent—a home for the person who mattered most.

This wasn't just another project. This was architecture with soul, design with devotion, and construction with an uncompromising commitment to excellence that only family love can inspire.

A Lodge That Defies Definition

Wood-wrapped walls that blur the lines between East and West. Step through the generous covered entryway—a sheltering embrace that welcomes you home and protects you as you venture out—and discover interiors that challenge conventional categorization. Is this Japanese? Is this Western? The beauty lies in its refusal to be confined by such labels.

Nearly every room celebrates the warmth of natural wood, with walls and ceilings wrapped in timber that creates an atmosphere somewhere between a mountain lodge and a traditional Japanese home. But it's in the main living space where the architect's vision truly comes alive.

The living room is nothing short of breathtaking. Thick, powerful columns rise like forest giants, supporting dramatic angled beams that slice through the air with sculptural precision. The ceiling soars to impressive heights, creating a sense of grandeur that makes you instinctively look up and marvel. L-shaped windows flood the space with golden light, while strategically placed clerestory windows add an almost cathedral-like quality to the illumination.

This isn't just a living room—it's a stage for life, a gathering place that commands attention while embracing its occupants in wooden warmth.

Flowing Through the Spaces

A bridge-like walkway connects the public and private realms, creating an almost theatrical transition between the home's social heart and its intimate quarters. The thoughtful layout provides five individual bedrooms alongside the dining area, ensuring that each family member has their sanctuary while the magnificent living room serves as the natural gathering point.

The flow feels effortless—spaces that invite you to linger, corridors that create anticipation, and rooms that offer both connection and retreat. It's the kind of layout that makes daily life feel choreographed, where morning coffee flows naturally into afternoon reading, and evening conversations happen organically.

Living in Harmony with Nature

The home sits on an expansive 464.29㎡ plot (nearly 5,000 square feet), providing breathing room that's increasingly rare in urban Japan. The generous land allows for mature landscaping, parking convenience, and the sense of space that makes this feel more like a private estate than a typical residential property.

The neighborhood itself tells a compelling story. Maioka represents Yokohama City's commitment to preserving agricultural land and natural beauty, deliberately limiting development to maintain the area's rural character. Step off the train at nearby Maioka Station, and you'll be genuinely surprised by the rice fields and green spaces that seem to stretch endlessly—a pocket of pastoral Japan that feels worlds away from the urban intensity of greater Tokyo.

Practical Considerations for the Discerning Buyer

Honesty about history builds trust for the future. This home comes with a transparent disclosure of past repairs for rain damage and termite remediation—work that has been professionally completed but requires acknowledgment under Japan's property disclosure laws. The current owners are offering the property "as-is" regarding any future building or land-related issues, which is reflected in the competitive pricing.

Additionally, an older storage building currently occupies part of the property. The sellers are flexible about removal—it can be demolished before closing if preferred, or left for new owners to address according to their vision for the space.

Transportation and Urban Connections

Strategic location offers the best of both worlds. While Maioka Station provides direct access, savvy commuters often prefer the seven-minute bus ride to Totsuka Station, where multiple JR lines converge. The Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Tokaido Line, and Yokosuka Line all stop at Totsuka, providing excellent connectivity to Tokyo, Yokohama, and points beyond.

For daily conveniences, a pharmacy sits just a three-minute walk away, while a major supermarket is only six minutes on foot. The neighborhood strikes that perfect balance between peaceful residential living and practical urban amenities.

Investment Perspective: Scarcity Meets Soul

Architectural pedigree in a preservation zone creates long-term value. This isn't just real estate—it's a piece of architectural history on land that's protected from overdevelopment. The combination of custom design, premium materials, generous lot size, and protected zoning creates a value proposition that goes beyond simple market comparisons.

The home appeals to buyers who understand that true luxury isn't about flashy finishes or brand names—it's about thoughtful design, quality construction, and spaces that improve daily life. In an era of cookie-cutter construction, this represents something increasingly precious: authentic architectural expression.

The Perfect Match: Who Will Love This Home?

This house calls to those who appreciate craftsmanship over convenience. Perhaps you're an artist seeking inspiring spaces, a professional wanting a retreat from urban intensity, or a family desiring a home with character and room to grow. Maybe you're someone who hosts gatherings and needs a living room that can handle everything from intimate conversations to celebration dinners.

The generous bedroom count makes this ideal for multi-generational living, home offices, studios, or simply the luxury of dedicated spaces for different activities. The covered entry areas and thoughtful flow work beautifully for anyone who entertains, while the wood-wrapped interiors create year-round coziness.

A Legacy Waiting for Its Next Chapter

This home represents something rare in today's market—architecture born from love, crafted without compromise, and ready to embrace new stories. The architect's devotion to his brother created something that transcends mere shelter, resulting in spaces that nurture, inspire, and endure.

The wooden beams that stretch boldly across the living room ceiling aren't just structural elements—they're statements of permanence and strength. The generous windows aren't just openings—they're frames for the changing seasons and daily light that will mark years of life within these walls.

For the right buyer, this isn't just a purchase—it's an inheritance of architectural passion and the beginning of your own family's story in a home designed by love itself.

Property Summary

Price: ¥59,800,000 ($398,667 USD) Building Area: 143.65㎡ (1,546 ft²) Land Area: 464.29㎡ (4,996 ft²) Location: Maioka-cho, Totsuka Ward, Yokohama City Transportation: 7 minutes by bus to Totsuka Station | Multiple JR lines including Shonan-Shinjuku Line Built: 1972 Structure: Wood construction, 2 stories Special Features: Architect-designed custom home, dramatic exposed beam construction, multiple bedrooms, covered entryways, generous lot size in preservation zone

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Property Details Summary:

Price: ¥59.8m ($400,000usd) Reduced
Building Area: 143.65㎡
Land Area: 464.29㎡
Location: Maioka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama
Access: 7 min by bus to Totsuka Station + 2 min walk, or 16 min walk from Maioka Station
Built: 1972, Wood construction, 2 stories
Rooms: 5 private bedrooms plus living/dining areas