Kentaro Imai Architectural office
Ochiai MATSUNO-YU
The design concept set for the renovation of Ochiai Matsuno-yu was titled “Plain Public Bathhouse.” In recent years, the trend for Sento renovations has focused on luxury and added functionalities, such as saunas. However, this project deliberately chose to go in the opposite direction. Through continuous dialogue with the client, we aimed to create a simple, comfortable, and minimalist space by “subtracting” elements from the original Ochiai Matsuno-yu. It was an attempt to reconsider the true essence of a Sento and redefine what is genuinely needed in a modern context.
One clear example of this “Plain Public Bathhouse” concept is the bathhouse design itself. Here, the main theme color of Matsuno-yu, indigo blue, was used as the primary design element, with 50mm square tiles applied throughout. By limiting the choice of tiles to this single type, the visual design was simplified. This color design not only provided visual unity but also created a calming effect by reducing the presence of interior elements, making them recede into the background. Additionally, we introduced a new outdoor bath. By subtracting structural elements such as walls and ceilings and incorporating external elements like light, wind, and sky, we aimed to create a sense of openness. This outdoor bath, which can also function as a cold bath during the summer, offers different charms depending on the season, providing visitors with a fresh experience each time.
While reconstructing the new store image and design, special attention was paid to the elements that “should be preserved.” Features such as the deep spatial structure, the waterfall bath, the iconic Mt. Fuji mural by the previous owner Itsuo Kasahara, and the copper signboard represent the essence of this Sento’s history and identity. These elements were carefully selected and rearranged to stand out even more in the modern, minimalist space.
The space created through the concept of “Plain Public Bathhouse” is not just one where functions and decorations are stripped away. Rather, it enhances the role of the Sento as a “third place” in the lives of its users, becoming a richer and more comfortable environment. A Sento is a space that is neither home nor work, but a place to escape the daily hustle and refresh both body and mind. “By pursuing simplicity, we create a space that is simple yet profound.” This is the essence of the “Plain” concept we sought to realize through this renovation.
