Exploring SANU’s cabin “MOSS” in the lush forest of North Karuizawa

It took a long time to get out of the traffic in Tokyo, and by the time I noticed, it was pitch dark outside. As I drove down a road without even streetlights, I saw something along the white line. Was it a living creature or just an object? I slowed down and approached cautiously, and then I saw it—two eyes glowing in the darkness.
An owl…!

Startled by the sight of a wild owl for the first time, I continued driving, only to spot a four-legged creature on my left. A deer! I quickly rolled down the window, eager to get a closer look, but the noise startled it, and it darted off into the forest. With a sense of reverence, as if crossing into their world, I continued down the road.

Inside a cabin designed with a deer’s perspective in mind

We arrived at the SANU CABIN MOSS, a new cabin that opened on August 10, 2024, as part of SANU 2nd Home, a membership-based second home service in North Karuizawa. MOSS is an environmentally harmonious structure designed not only for human comfort and safety but also with consideration for the impact on the forest’s wildlife and plants.

During the press conference, Anzai, the representative of ADX, the architectural design and construction partner that co-developed the cabin with SANU, remarked, “I want you to view MOSS from the perspective of a deer.” He explained that since deer might be more likely to see this building than humans, they carefully considered colors and shapes, asking themselves, “What would make this a cool structure for a deer?”

The unique shape of the structure, inspired by tree nuts, features a polyhedral design. This design helps to disperse rainwater and snow, reducing the impact on the soil. “In nature, there’s rarely anything that focuses on just one spot. That’s why we didn’t want to create something like that. Ideally, MOSS would become part of the natural environment,” Anzai explained.

Like SANU’s “BEE” cabins, which have expanded to 52 units across nine locations as of April 2024, MOSS employs an elevated design to protect the soil. Additionally, the stakes driven into the ground are even thinner than those used for BEE, further minimizing the environmental impact.

A night of serenity: Immersed in nature and comfort at SANU cabin

Stepping inside the cabin, I turned on the lights (another highlight—100% renewable energy). I took in the refined interior, browsing the bookshelf for a book to read the next morning. After connecting to Bluetooth, I played a playlist curated by SANU members and collapsed onto the sofa. The high ceiling features a skylight, and on a clear night, you’d be able to see the stars.

While I enjoyed the bliss of doing absolutely nothing, my friend, who had been riding in the passenger seat, was busy making pasta. The vegetables were grilled with just a pinch of salt. We had stocked up on as many local Shinshu products as possible at Tsuruya, a supermarket known for its rich selection of regional goods, and the meal we prepared with them was absolutely delicious.

Not wanting to wake my friend who had already fallen asleep, I lit a Japanese candle that I had packed, imagining my stay at SANU. When I looked up the Wi-Fi password to do some research, I found the words “livewithnature.” I was impressed by this thoughtful touch, subtly encouraging guests to embrace the lifestyle of “living with nature” that SANU promotes. Outside, the sounds of birds and insects were constant. Before I knew it, I was nodding off, drifting into a deep sleep.

Architecture designed in harmony with the forest, gentle on both people and nature

When I woke up the next morning, the sky was clear. The rain forecast had me so excited that I quickly got ready and went out for a walk. The forest at SANU North Karuizawa 2nd is home to many native ferns called Osmunda, abundant on the property. A beautiful circular spider web between the ferns glistened in the morning light. I tried to capture it in a photo, but it seemed the web wanted me to remember it instead, as it didn’t appear on the screen.

The development of MOSS began with the creation of a development procedure based on the local ecosystem. By conducting vegetation surveys, landscape analyses, and understanding the local flora and fauna, they were able to design a landscape that minimally disrupts water flow and reduces tree cutting. Some of the plants growing on-site were transplanted, and volcanic rocks from Mount Asama, unearthed during the construction, were reused on the site, achieving zero waste and external disposal. The core idea is not to force the architecture into the forest but to let the architecture adapt to the forest.

I walked through the moss-covered forest nearby, pausing to admire the acorn leaves sprouting on the soft ground and watching bees sipping nectar by the stream from a distance. After a leisurely stroll, I returned to the cabin and stepped into the sauna, which had been warming up.

With the forest framed by the teardrop-shaped window in view, I felt my body gradually warm up from the core, as unnecessary thoughts slowly drifted away. I plunged into the cold bath, then brought a chair out onto the balcony and lay down, gazing up at the wooden beams above. Each wood grain had its own unique pattern.

Harnessing Japan’s forestry for sustainable, nature-friendly architecture

In Japan, aging forests have become a pressing issue, compounded by a shortage of workers in the forestry industry. To address this, SANU’s cabins primarily use domestic wood from across Japan, with the exterior walls made from trees aged 50 to 60 years—trees that were planted during the country’s rapid economic growth and are now ready for harvest.

For example, the exterior is constructed using wood from Okayama Prefecture, and the deck features wood from Miyazaki Prefecture. As you gaze at the forest in North Karuizawa, you are surrounded by wood from all over Japan. It was a moment that made me deeply appreciate the richness and value of Japan’s natural environment.

Additionally, the construction process of MOSS is particularly noteworthy. To address challenges in the construction industry, such as labor shortages and rising construction costs, 80% of the cabin’s processing was done in a factory under a roof, reducing the on-site construction period to just two weeks. This approach not only minimized the impact on the natural environment but also ensured the safety of workers in the challenging conditions of the natural construction site.

At the launch of MOSS, ADX representative Anzai, who partnered with SANU for the architectural design and construction, commented, “We believe MOSS is an innovative architectural product that fulfills our mission to offer the joy of living in nature through architecture that is kind to both people and the environment.”

SANU’s commitment to regenerative business and environmental stewardship

SANU has achieved the international B Corp certification, the first in Japan’s real estate and hospitality sector, which is awarded to companies with high social and environmental impact. As SANU expands, it aims to be a regenerative company that enriches nature even further. Since its inception, SANU has been committed to its message: “Live with nature.” It strives to embody this message through its business practices, aiming not to be a cold wind warning about environmental issues but to act as a warm sun, conveying the beauty and joy of nature.

A cold wind restricts and limits people’s actions. While such constraints may sometimes be necessary, I hope to continue seeking ways, like SANU, to bring about change through warmth and comfort, transforming ourselves, others and society.

As I looked up at the majestic Mount Asama towering along the road back to Tokyo from MOSS, I pondered what we can do to live in harmony with nature, which gives us the diverse strengths we need to navigate our daily lives.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I enjoyed my time here and will definitely come back.”

Originally published on Livhub.