NOT A HOTEL KITAKARUIZAWA
BASE
Expertise
Business Development
Project Management
Design
Brand Direction
CG Visualization
Life Cycle Management
Hotel Management
NOT A HOTEL KITAKARUIZAWA BASE sits within a vast forest at the foot of Mt. Asama, spanning over 66,000㎡. Directed by Yosuke Aizawa, founder of White Mountaineering, the project embodies his vision of “choosing a home like you choose clothing.”
The property features three sizes—S, M, and L—allowing guests to select the ideal fit for their lifestyle. Since opening, it has maintained a consistently high occupancy rate. The minimalist architecture blends into the natural surroundings, offering a peaceful escape where guests wake with the morning sun and enjoy unique culinary experiences such as irori hearth cooking and open-air barbecues.
Yosuke Aizawa
Direction
Member
Collaborators
Spec
Building Name
NOT A HOTEL KITAKARUIZAWA BASE
Location
2286-326, 327 Hosohara, Oomae, Tsumagoi Village, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture
Completion
2023/12
Design Period
2022/2〜2023/3
Construction Period
2023/4〜2024/3
Site Area
BASE S：4017.31㎡ BASE M：5223.82㎡ BASE L：7638.66㎡
Building Footprint
BASE S：41.66㎡ BASE M：73.46㎡ BASE L：124.17㎡
Total Floor Area
BASE S：45.01㎡ BASE M：92.36㎡ BASE L：159.37㎡
Kazuaki Matsui
Lead Architect
S, M, and L sizes. NATURAL and BLACK tones.
“NOT A HOTEL KITAKARUIZAWA BASE” is a place where you can choose your way of living the same way you choose your favorite clothes—based on comfort and personal fit.
This project is not about building one-off architecture on a specific site, but rather an exploration of how NOT A HOTEL could redefine architecture as a replicable product. While the natural surroundings differ from site to site, we aimed to maintain consistent quality through a universal structure, balanced scale, and meticulous detailing.
To date, 11 BASE units are planned. Each one reflects its own landscape while sharing a unified design philosophy and aesthetic. Together, they form a quiet yet bold new worldview for the region of Kitakaruizawa.
Sho Kitada
Architect
With three sizes—S, M, and L—and two colors—NATURAL and BLACK—guests can choose a BASE that fits their lifestyle, just like choosing a well-fitting outfit.
Every BASE includes a wide-opening window, a terrace, and a sauna—features that create a deep connection with nature. For pet owners, BASE M and BASE L come equipped with private dog runs, making it possible to travel with furry companions.
The architecture was designed around the idea of finding one’s “perfect way to live”—not through extravagance, but through thoughtful, human-centered comfort.