The Warmth of the Irori

As Niseko enters its coldest season, winter arrives in profound stillness. Snow blankets the land, and all living things seem to rest in deep slumber. Welcoming guests who have traveled from afar is the gentle warmth of the irori, the traditional sunken hearth.

Only during this season does Raku Suisan light the fire in the lounge’s irori.
Carefully arranged binchōtan charcoal glows from its core, occasionally crackling as tiny sparks dance upward like fleeting stars before fading away. A subtle, toasty aroma drifts through the air, while the warmth of the fire softly embraces the cheeks, gently erasing memories of the cold outside.

The interplay of shadow and light, the shimmering reflections, the quiet rise of steam—gazing into the steady, dignified embers, one feels tensions long held within quietly dissolve.
The irori fire is more than flame; it is a light that warms the depths of the soul. Time spent gathered around it is a rare winter pleasure, enjoyed only during this fleeting season.

A Room Colored by Winter

Raku Suisan offers eighteen private, standalone villas, each named after one of the four seasons. Choosing a room that reflects the season of your stay is part of the experience. Among them, three rooms represent winter: Tsubaki, Hatsuyuki, and Suō. Here, we introduce Suō.

Suō is derived from a leguminous plant native to India and Malaysia, long valued for its use as a dye and in traditional medicine. Introduced to Japan during the Asuka period, it became a prized pigment among the aristocracy of the Heian era. The deep, dark crimson-purple known as Suō-iro was revered as a noble color and appears in classical Japanese literature such as The Pillow Book and Konjaku Monogatari.

Opening the door adorned with a gradated panel of Suō hues, guests are welcomed into a spacious, warm interior. Soft light filters through shoji screens in the living and bedroom areas, while a tatami space with a traditional tokonoma alcove offers quiet reflection. Japanese and Western elements coexist in effortless harmony, creating a residence designed for extended stays—to live, as one travels.

Winter nights are long and unhurried. Begin a coffee break by hand-grinding beans, listening to their crisp rhythm and breathing in their gentle aroma. Slowly pour hot water through the dripper, releasing a rich, enveloping fragrance. Savor the cup while gazing at the crystalline winter scenery outside—this is the luxury of unhurried time, found only while traveling.

Winter hot springs are especially restorative. As you ease into the bath, warmth travels from your fingertips inward, gradually melting the chill from your core. The Suō bath features a generous Shigaraki-ware ceramic tub, continuously filled with mineral-rich spring water. Through expansive glass windows, the winter landscape unfolds in serene panorama.

Encountering Japanese Culture

On the lounge tables rest vibrant sheets of chiyogami paper and delicate origami cranes. Origami, a uniquely Japanese art form, dates back to the 6th century when paper was first introduced from the continent. From a single sheet, infinite forms—cranes, flowers, animals, ornaments—are brought to life through simple folds. Its elegance and depth continue to captivate the world.

Choose a pattern, fold as you wish, and rediscover a childhood pastime familiar to many Japanese. Whether revisiting memories or encountering it for the first time, we invite you to experience the quiet joy of origami at Raku Suisan. Your completed creation is yours to keep, a small memento of the journey.

Another expression of Japanese tradition awaits. Guests may also experience shodō, the art of Japanese calligraphy, using brush, ink, and paper. Held at Salon de Raku, the classes are led by Naoko Yokoyama, a calligrapher based in Kutchan Town, and are designed to be approachable even for beginners.

Inspired by the majestic natural landscapes of Niseko, Ms. Yokoyama’s work expresses a “dialogue between nature and the heart” through nuanced ink gradations and the beauty of negative space. Each brushstroke carries a sense of life, embodying both the strength and tranquility of the surrounding wilderness.

The fragrance of ink, the tactile sensation of the brush, the subtle variations of tone and texture—moving the brush naturally draws the mind into stillness. Shodō is not merely a technical practice, but a refined Japanese art that cultivates inner balance and aesthetic awareness.

Next, We Step Into the Nighttime Setting