
The Transom Room
The carved transom and paper screens were left as they were; only the beds are new, on low frames. The calm of a Japanese room, without the strain on your back. Morning light through the screens is never harsh.

This is a translation of the Japanese original, provided for reference.
Usami, in the city of Ito — a seaside town known both for swimming and for surfing. The house stands in a quiet residential street and is rented whole. The beach is within walking distance, so you can watch the sunrise, come back, and have breakfast.
The first thing you see on entering is a wooden lattice built in the shape of a fan. One wall of the living room is a great arch of mosaic tile, lit from behind, so at night that wall alone glows softly. Nothing about it is off the shelf; it belongs to this house.
The bedrooms are Japanese rooms. We kept the carved transoms and the paper screens and changed only where you sleep: a room with low bed frames on tatami, a room where the light through the screens wakes you, a room where futons go down on a raised platform. The calm of a Japanese room, without the strain on your back. There is indirect lighting set into the alcove, so even with the lights out the room is never quite dark.
There are two showers, so a large group is not left waiting. The kitchen has a hob, a large fridge, a rice cooker and a microwave, and the dining table — six people facing each other — is right beside it. Fish bought by the harbour can be on the table the same day.
A surf trip, a family week by the sea, a quiet weekend. Close to the water, and still settled enough to feel like a house.
25 photos. Click to enlarge.
Decide among yourselves who takes which room when you arrive.

The carved transom and paper screens were left as they were; only the beds are new, on low frames. The calm of a Japanese room, without the strain on your back. Morning light through the screens is never harsh.

Indirect lighting is set into the alcove, so the room is never quite dark once the lights are out. The white of the paper screens softens everything.

Futons go down on the raised tatami. There is a light along the edge of the platform, so you can see your feet at night. Windows on two sides, and the air moves through.

A bright room with windows on two sides. We add futons to match your party.
We would rather tell you up front what to bring.
Please bring food, charcoal, some seasonings, and personal items such as toothpaste. If you are unsure whether something is here, just ask.
| Per night, weekdays (Sun–Thu) | ¥38,000up to 6 guests |
|---|---|
| Per night, Fri & Sat | ¥46,000up to 6 guests |
| Additional adult | ¥4,400per person, per night |
| Child (primary school and under) | ¥2,200per person, per night |
| Cleaning fee | ¥8,800per booking |
The other house