As professionals in bath space design, we go beyond the design of Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, saunas, and large baths in hotels and ryokan, offering heartfelt support throughout all processes, including business planning, branding, and operations. Together with the beauty of design, let’s create the story of bathing facilities that continues into the future.
Service
Core services
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Architectual design
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Mechanical bathing system design
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Mecanical design
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Structual design
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Interior design
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Lighting design
Optional services
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Consultation, comprehensive production associated with bath business planning
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Bath business planning, branding design
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Bath business energy consultation
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Bath business management outsourcing, operation planning consulting
Core Service
Our main services include the design and construction supervision of various bathing facilities such as Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, super sento, health centers, saunas, spas, stone saunas, large baths in hotels and ryokan, and bathhouses in golf clubhouses. For areas outside of architectural design, we collaborate with specialized teams, including equipment design firms, structural design offices, and lighting design partners.
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Architectual design
We handle the design of a wide range of bathing facilities, including public baths (sento), hot springs, super sento, saunas, and large baths in hotels. We provide comprehensive design, from the exterior of the facility to the interior layout, offering spaces that balance functionality and aesthetics. We also handle the design of ryokan and hotels, creating the optimal architectural design tailored to the unique characteristics of each facility.
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Mechanical bathing system design
We handle the equipment planning for bathing facilities, including the design of Sento (public bath-houses), and hot springs. Our designs focus on energy efficiency, water quality management, temperature control, and water supply and drainage systems to provide a safe and comfortable bathing experience for users. We also excel in advanced equipment design for a variety of facilities, such as super sento, designer public baths, and large baths in hotels.
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Mecanical design
We provide equipment design for a wide range of bathing facilities, including electrical, HVAC, and communication systems. To support the efficient operation of public baths, hot springs, and large hotel baths, we propose optimal equipment systems tailored to the specific characteristics of each facility. Through the design of various systems, including sauna design, we create a comfortable environment for users.
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Structual design
In structural design, we handle the design of the framework and foundation for buildings, including Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, and large hotel baths. To ensure the safety and earthquake resistance of the buildings, we focus on designing with structural stability in mind. We provide robust structural designs to ensure that bathing facilities can be used reliably over a long period of time.
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Interior design
We specialize in designing the interior spaces of Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, saunas, and hotels. By carefully selecting materials, planning colors, and arranging furniture, we create spaces that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Our company excels particularly in unique tile designs and the use of durable engineered wood, providing interior designs that maximize the charm of bathing facilities.
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Lighting design
We develop optimal lighting plans for all types of bathing facilities. By designing the arrangement and types of lighting suited for Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, and large baths in hotels and ryokan, we create spaces that evoke relaxation. Our lighting designs enhance the functionality of the space while providing visual comfort.
Optional Service
In the case of commercial business projects, we propose planning and income/expenditure plans as a preliminary step to the design process. Before the business content is decided, we conduct local surveys and dialogues to discover the project's connection to the local community, the expected user demographic, and the number of users, and incorporate these into the plan. Depending on the content of the plan and branding, we will also form teams with various partner companies to handle operations consulting, art direction, sign planning, web design, textile design, etc.
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Consultation, comprehensive production associated with bath business planning
We provide consultation on the bathing business in general, and comprehensively support everything from formulating business plans to operational strategies. For projects such as public bath design, hot spring design, and hotel large baths, we create successful business plans and provide total support from facility opening to operation.
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Bath business planning, branding design
We create strategies specialized for facilities such as Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, saunas, and hotel large baths. By drawing out the appeal of the facility and creating a brand image that suits the target market, we will increase your competitiveness and lead you to success. We also handle branding for super public baths and hot springs.
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Bath business energy consultation
We offer proposals to maximize energy efficiency in the bathing business. In addition to optimizing energy management in hot spring and sauna design, we also combine sign design and landscape design to comprehensively improve the beauty and functionality of the entire facility. This allows us to realize a sustainable bathing space that takes running costs into consideration.
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Bath business management outsourcing, operation planning consulting
We provide advice on the operation of bathing facilities to improve operational efficiency and services. We support the daily operations of Sento (public bath-houses), hot springs, and hotel baths, and provide strategies to establish a sustainable operating system. We consult with you on an operation plan that suits the characteristics of your facility, and guide you to success.
Work Flow
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Pre-consultation Please feel free to contact us first. We will discuss our past achievements and ideas while listening to your requests, problems, budget, business plans, etc. We will also send you our company's materials by mail if you wish. |
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02 |
If you are considering a design contract, we will propose a "basic plan" (for a fee) that includes a survey of the site and surrounding conditions, a simple plan, a concept, a plan, a business income and expenditure plan, etc., upon request. We will also provide a rough estimate of construction costs based on that plan. If you are satisfied with the plan, we will move on to a design contract. |
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Design contract Estimated design and supervision fee: 8-15% of construction cost (based on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's design fee calculation guidelines)
First design and supervision fee payment: 40% of the service fee |
0-1 month
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04 |
Basic design We will develop the plan proposed in the draft plan and decide on the basic details. We will also decide on the layout, interior, exterior, materials to be used, and various interior plans. We will use not only blueprints, but also CG, models, material samples, etc. to facilitate easy-to-understand meetings. |
About 3 months
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Detailed design (design development) Based on the contents of the basic design, we will create drawings for estimates, construction, and applications. At this stage, we will also consider the details of each facility, such as the furniture to be manufactured, the structure, the bath facilities, air conditioning, lighting, and electricity.
Second design supervision fee payment: 30% of the service fee |
About 3 months
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06 |
Administrative procedures Confirmation applications (only for new construction, renovation, and expansion. Application fees are separate) We will prepare and submit the necessary drawings and application forms to the health center, fire department, administrative agencies, building departments, and subsidy applications. |
1 month～
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07 |
Estimates - Construction contract We get estimates from 3-4 construction companies, check the estimates, and adjust the costs. Once the construction company is decided, the owner will sign a contract with the construction company (in the presence of the designer) and construction preparations will begin. |
1 month～
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08 |
Start of construction - Construction supervision While meeting with the construction company, we check whether the construction is being carried out according to plan. We make final adjustments for completion, such as selecting materials and colors, furniture, fixtures, sign design, and interior coordination. |
New construction: 8-12 months
Renovation: 3-4 months |
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Handover The building will undergo the necessary inspections by government agencies before it can be used. After inspections by the construction company, design office, and owner, the building will be handed over. Even after handover, if any problems arise, we will deal with them promptly.
Third design supervision fee payment: 30% of the service fee |
Before & After
Okura-yu
Established in 1966, this was a renovation of a traditional wood-frame public bath.
The roof was re-tiled and some supports replaced to increase earthquake resistance.
We strove for a bath space design featuring both freshness and nostalgia
while maintaining the special qualities of a typical Kanto-style public bath.
Before
After
FAQ
The pre-consultation period up until the design contract is free of charge. Please feel free to contact us about anything, including construction costs, design costs, schedules, etc. If you request a planning and design prior to the design contract, we will charge a fee for this service.
We can handle work throughout Japan and overseas. However, for areas outside of Tokyo, we will charge you separately for transportation costs, accommodation costs, etc.
Please bring along any documents such as a site survey map, drawings of the existing building (in case of renovation), a client’s request letter, and site photos.
Please visit our office first. Of course, we can visit the planned site depending on the situation and your requests.
Consulting with a specialist can help you to concretely visualize your image and clarify your problems, so please feel free to contact us for a consultation. Of course, there is no charge for just the first consultation.
Of course you can. We also plan and design apartments (homes) and stores (tenants) that will be attached to bathing facilities. Past examples can be viewed on the “works” page.
Design and supervision fees are calculated according to Notification No. 15 of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, but as a guideline, they should be around 8 to 15% of the construction cost. We will provide you with an estimate of the design fee based on the contents of the preliminary consultation.
The construction company has not been decided yet. And the design office does not undertake the construction of the work. The construction company will actually carry out the work.
There are various types of construction companies, from local builders to large and small general contractors. From these, we request estimates based on their past performance and the scale of the work, and finally decide on a construction company.
Of course, the owner can also specify a local general contractor.
Construction supervision involves checking whether construction is being carried out according to the implementation drawings prepared by the designer. This process also involves detailed settings that cannot be specified in the drawings. In addition, we check for problems that arise as construction progresses, how to respond to changes requested by the client, and any increases or decreases in cost for each change.
The job of a design office is to create drawings while listening to the owner’s story, and to supervise the construction so that the building is built according to the drawings. The job of a construction company is to make plans for the actual construction, arrange for materials and craftsmen, and safely build the building. When building a building, the owner enters into a contract with a design office and a construction company. There are companies that combine design and construction, but in this case, it is not possible to obtain comparative bids from multiple companies, and it is generally not possible to judge whether the amount is appropriate. By separating design and construction, the quality and cost of the construction can be checked, which leads to a clarification of the construction amount and a reduction in costs. Because the “design company” has no vested interest in the “construction company,” it is possible to check costs and supervise the construction from a neutral position as the owner’s representative.