Interview with Kohei Yamawaki, who runs BON
We spoke with Kohei Yamawaki, co-representative of ITONAMI, about the thoughts behind opening BON and what left an impression on him during the process of creating it.
A commitment to creating spaces where people “gather, sit around, and share”
Could you tell us how you came to open BON, ITONAMI’s second lodging facility?
Yamawaki (honorifics omitted)
The house that is now BON was originally rented out to someone else.
When we heard from the landlord that the rental had ended, we began developing the idea. We wondered whether we could take over the landlord’s wish that the property be “used for the good of the community.”
I hear that most of BON’s interior has been renovated. I also heard that everyone at ITONAMI worked on the process. Is there anything that particularly stands out to you?
Yamawaki
Broadly speaking, we thought about how to create a space that fit the concept of “BON,” and then brought that vision to life.
BON takes inspiration from the special nature of Obon, when “people gather to think of others.”
Also, the kanji for “bon” is written by combining the characters for “plate” and “divide,” so we wanted everyone to gather around the table and share plates.
So, to create a space where guests could “gather, sit around, and share,” we designed the interior to make wide use of the building.
For example, we removed the floor to create a doma earthen-floored area.
We removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to make one open space.
There were also several small rooms in front of the “YO” room, but we removed them all and made a hallway leading from the dining room to the rooms.
We put a lot of thought into creating a space where people could “gather, sit around, and share.”
The bathroom was also a standard home bathroom, so we replaced all the surfaces to make it comfortable for guests.
Guests have been using it during the pre-opening period, and they’ve told us, “It’s spacious enough to relax in.”
I think we’ve created a place to stay that preserves the history and character of the building itself, while also expressing what matters to us.
It sounds like a major renovation. Were there any parts you decided to keep?
Yamawaki
We kept the window frames and pillars.
If you look closely at the window frames, you’ll see that the corners are rounded.
Apparently, this feature isn’t found in modern construction and is quite rare. We decided to keep it after hearing the landlord’s wishes.
The pillars have also been left as they were, so I think you can feel the warmth of wood that is unique to traditional Japanese houses.
The time spent with close friends is what matters
If you had to point out a difference from DENIM HOSTEL float (hereafter, float), what would it be?
Yamawaki
Since it’s a whole-house rental, rather than the lodging staff providing every service, we prepare the space and environment and let guests make use of the house themselves.
I think people around my age, in their 30s, don’t often get the chance in everyday life to cook for themselves and spend a relaxed time with close friends. We deliberately call it a “house” in DENIM HOUSE because we want people to enjoy a leisurely time, in much the same way as inviting friends over to your home.
We want guests to experience the special feeling of doing that while traveling.
When you invite friends to your home, you’re the host and they’re the guests, right? But when you’re traveling, that distinction between host and guest disappears. The appeal of BON is that everyone who gathers can spend time together as equals.
It may sound ordinary when put into words, but gathering together and sitting around the table feel special to me now.
So you personally find value in “gathering, sitting around, and sharing.”
Yamawaki
Speaking personally, the value of sitting around the table grows with each passing year.
In life, the time itself spent with close friends is precious, and I feel fortunate that we can do that as a matter of course.
I think it’s great to travel somewhere in search of unfamiliar scenery or new experiences, but gathering with close friends to talk and sit around the table is happiness that can rival the time spent seeking new experiences.
So, personally, I’d be happy if there were a place to stay where you could freely use the space with close friends, talk, and sit around the table.
There are things that can’t be achieved in float’s space, so when I saw BON, I thought this could be a place where people can “gather, sit around, and share”.
Also, there aren’t many lodgings in Kojima with a home-like style, so I thought it might be worth giving it a try.
Valuing what feels right for us
Having a gallery and space at the lodging also felt fresh.
Yamawaki
While running float, I sometimes felt frustrated that we weren’t able to fully convey what we care about.
I wanted people who came to BON to learn more about our beginnings.
So, from the planning stage, we intended to create a gallery and shop.
I’m glad we were able to make it happen.
Do you feel there’s any particular significance to opening your second lodging facility in Kojima?
Yamawaki
We came to Kojima because it has a denim industry and we met people involved in making things.
Then we opened float, carried out a project within an apparel brand, and went on to open our second lodging facility. We’re committed to working in Kojima.
Perhaps some people wonder, “Why are they doing this here?” BON is in a residential neighborhood in Kojima, after all.
But BON also came about because we met the landlord.
There’s a story of encounters with people behind both our putting down roots in Kojima and our opening BON. That story is what feels inevitable to us.
Even if other people find it strange, we want to value what feels right for us, and I think we’ll continue taking on new challenges wherever we feel it’s a good place for us.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Yamawaki
I think the best thing about BON is that you can create a space to enjoy with close friends. We haven’t set many expectations for how guests should spend their time, so we’d be happy if you spend your time however you like.
We stayed there too, and when you’re talking, time flies. The round dining table also makes it easy to talk.
Rather than feeling you have to do something special just because you came to stay, it’s a place where you can feel at home—“Once we’ve had a good chat, all that’s left is to go to bed.” I think it’s a space where you can keep seeing one another, so I hope you’ll enjoy yourselves freely by talking and sitting around the table.
It’s now been about four and a half years since we opened float, and we’ve opened our second lodging facility.
I’m also happy that we can recommend a new place to stay to people who have visited float.
We’d like to share BON’s appeal with all kinds of people.
From the Writer
I was struck by Yamawaki’s comment that “the value of sitting around the table grows.”
There is value in the little things of everyday life. I imagine that at BON, you can gradually come to feel that.
It was a moving interview, and I was impressed by the care taken in creating a space where talking and sitting around the table happen naturally.
BON is the second lodging facility from ITONAMI, which has always valued encounters and connections with people.
Why not spend simple, precious moments at BON with close friends or family, moments that feel like an extension of everyday life?
DENIM HOUSE BON Information
| Name | DENIM HOUSE BON |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-7-63 Kojima Ogawa, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-477-7620 |
| Check-in | 4:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Check-out | 10:00 a.m. |
| Payment methods |
|
| Facility information | Number of rooms: 2 (accommodates 1–6 guests) EN: maximum 2 guests YO: maximum 4 guests From ¥20,000 per person per night (dinner and breakfast included) |
| Bath | Available (with bathtub) |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Parking | Available 2 spaces |
| Website | DENIM HOUSE BON |
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