A Modern Single-Story Home That Belongs in the Vast Tokachi Landscape　Obihiro City / YOTUMOKU-side

Built by the Obihiro-based homebuilder YOTUMOKU-side, this modern residence is designed to harmonize beautifully with the expansive natural scenery of Tokachi. The home makes generous use of natural materials, including plaster and stucco walls and solid wood flooring, creating a space that feels both luxurious and deeply comfortable. Its stylish architecture evokes the atmosphere of a private retreat, making it appealing not only as a permanent residence for people relocating to Hokkaido, but also as a resort-style getaway home.

President and architect Kazunori Yoshida, together with coordinator Ms. Katayama, work closely with each homeowner to bring their ideal lifestyle to life.

The entrance porch — the “face” of the home — is designed with generous space, while the courtyard garden offers a place to enjoy the changing seasons throughout the year.

The exterior combines the main residence, storage area, and garage into one unified structure, giving the home a refined and sophisticated appearance. The façade is finished with textured plaster and metal siding.

The entrance porch spans 10.47 square meters, creating a generous welcoming space. The ceiling is finished in warm red cedar.

The name “YOTUMOKU-side” reflects the company’s philosophy of creating homes where residents can enjoy the beauty and comfort of all four seasons while experiencing the warmth of authentic wood materials.

For this home, President Yoshida proposed adding a small courtyard garden beside the entrance so the owners could enjoy natural light and the changing seasons throughout the year. At night, the Japanese tree known as “Aohada” is softly illuminated, casting beautiful shadows that have become one of the owners’ favorite features.

The living, dining, and kitchen area features a ceiling height of approximately 3.3 meters—about one meter higher than the other rooms—creating an extraordinary sense of openness upon entering. The design carefully balances visual impact and cost efficiency.

To control strong summer sunlight, the terrace windows are recessed about 50 centimeters from the exterior wall line. The resulting side spaces were cleverly transformed into a desk area and a cozy nook.

The flooring is made from solid oak with beautiful natural grain patterns.

Inside the nook, calm colors create a peaceful atmosphere. Slightly separated from the living and dining space, it feels perfect for reading picture books with children or quietly relaxing alone. Beneath the seating area are built-in drawers for toys and children’s items.

From the kitchen, parents can keep an eye on children studying at the desk space while preparing meals.

The countertop is made from durable ceramic material that resists scratches and is easy to maintain.

Custom-built cabinetry crafted from oak blends naturally into the overall interior design, creating a unified and harmonious atmosphere throughout the LDK.

A cohesive interior created with custom-built furniture of original design.

A high window above the pantry allows natural light to enter the center of the home. The opposite wall reflects the light deeper into the space, illuminating not only the pantry but also the washroom behind it. Even areas that would normally feel dark can remain bright without relying heavily on artificial lighting.

President Yoshida explains:　“Natural light changes throughout the day in both color and angle, offering a beauty that artificial lighting simply cannot replicate. We have similar windows in our office, and it’s fascinating to watch the shadows of leaves swaying in the wind or patterns created by raindrops appear on the walls.”

Interior coordinator Ms. Katayama attends every design meeting. Through repeated discussions, the team creates custom furniture that achieves both visual consistency and practical usability.

The television board in the LDK includes side storage for gaming equipment and other items, while wiring is neatly concealed. The material is floor tile, allowing the team to keep costs under control without compromising on appearance.

（Photo left） A family closet is located across from the bathroom and laundry area. Additional built-in storage has also been thoughtfully integrated throughout the home along the daily flow of movement.

（Photo right） / The toilet area features storage hidden behind the rear wall. Even without cabinet doors, the simple design keeps belongings out of sight for a clean, refined look. The pendant lighting also casts beautiful shadows, adding to the atmosphere.

The living room door (left photo) is the “Raffis” model by LIXIL. The indirect lighting created using variations in wall depth (right photo) was designed by President Yoshida, offering different expressions and atmospheres between day and night.

And what appears at first glance to be an ordinary wall actually conceals a hidden room—a playful private study for the husband. The push-latch door opens with a gentle press and is finished with the same wallpaper as the surrounding walls, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the interior.

The children’s room can be divided into two separate spaces with movable partition doors. After the children grow up and leave home, the rooms can easily be adapted into hobby rooms, guest rooms, or other flexible uses that match the couple’s future lifestyle.

An interior carefully refined through detailed discussions, resulting in a finish achieved without compromising on time or craftsmanship.

We also spoke with coordinator Ms. Katayama about the home’s design and interior planning.

Q: The house feels much more spacious than its actual size.

A: We intentionally created contrast in the use of space—for example, by making the bedrooms and children’s rooms more compact while giving generous space to the family areas. Not only is the LDK spacious, but the entrance porch, which welcomes both residents and guests, was also designed with extra room. I think that contributes to the relaxed atmosphere felt throughout the house.

Q: The interiors—especially the custom furniture—are very appealing.

A: When designing custom furniture, we think carefully not only about how beautiful it looks, but also how it will actually be used in everyday life.

In this home, for example, we created niche storage beneath the vanity to neatly store hair irons and hair dryers. I would be happy if the washroom naturally stays tidy and beautiful as part of daily life.

Q: Could you tell us about the heating system and insulation performance?

A: The home uses hydronic floor heating with hot water pipes installed beneath the floor. It warms the space gently from the feet upward without drying the air, making it extremely comfortable. Another advantage is that no visible heating equipment disrupts the interior design. The home’s insulation performance exceeds Japan’s ZEH standards, with a UA value of 0.26, so it remains comfortable both in the height of summer and the depths of winter.

Q: What defines YOTUMOKU-side’s approach to homebuilding?

A: Every project begins by listening carefully to the client’s preferences and lifestyle goals. From floor plans to interior finishes, President Yoshida and I participate together in every meeting to refine the details.

For example, when selecting wallpaper, we always order large samples and, if necessary, even compare them directly against the walls during construction. We want homeowners to feel completely satisfied with the final result. Going forward, we will continue creating homes without cutting corners—homes where people can truly live comfortably for many years.

Interview conducted in September 2025 

Photography: Commercial Photo / Movie SWITCH 

---