Yatsugatake Project

Yatsugatake Project is our place-based exploration of new forms of rest, play and creative work. We operate AQ Cabin and Blue House in the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Yamanashi Prefecture. Designed for AQ, our friends and collaborators, the Project provides access to a pop-up kyoten away from the daily friction of the city.

Pop-up kyoten (base)

This Project is the latest evolution in a tradition of retreats at AQ, which can be traced back to a company field trip to Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial in 2009. Coming out of the COVID pandemic, we acted on our yearning for a sanctuary and slower ways to gather and re-connect.

What we offer

Blue House is a two-story house that accommodates up to 6 overnight guests. It is available for rent to our extended network for solo residencies, team retreats and family getaways.

Learn more about the space

Night sky showing a distant city with lights below mountains and stars above.

Dark wooden cabin with chimney in lush green forest under bright daylight.

Person relaxing in blue hammock on wooden deck surrounded by green trees with a white mug on railing.

Two people kneel on a wooden floor working on a large paper with rows of geometric shapes.

Three people working together on assembling wooden pieces on an outdoor deck surrounded by trees.

Stone path leads to a small shrine surrounded by trees on a small lake island under blue sky.

Group of eight hikers posing joyfully on rocks by a river surrounded by lush green forest.

Metal bowl filled with corn, asparagus, green peppers, eggplants, carrots, and chili peppers on a wooden surface.

Grill with flaming coals cooking meat, red peppers, mushrooms, corn, and zucchini at night.

Four people sitting on a wooden deck at night lighting sticks over a small fire.

Four people seated at a wooden table making dumplings in a cozy wood-paneled room.

Three people working on laptops around a wooden table with sticky notes, pens, and snacks in a cozy room.

Wood-paneled attic workspace with a laptop on a small table, a chair, and two lit lamps.

Two men smiling in a wooden cabin with a burning stove and wooden furniture inside.

AQ cabin covered in snow, under a clear blue sky.

Sunset over snow-covered field beside a road with guardrail and traffic mirror in Yatsugatake

Green rice fields with rural houses and tall mountains under a blue cloudy sky at dusk.