ABOUT
Pon Ponyu traces its roots to Ikoi no Ie Kayanuma, which opened in 1978 as the accommodation within Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. Located on a small rise on the shores of Lake Shirarutoro, the hot spring lodge welcomed guests of all kinds for about 40 years. It has now been reborn as Pon Ponyu, a basecamp surrounded by nature leading deep into the wilds of Kushiro Shitsugen.
Gathered for the renovation were designer Kenya Hara, architect Kengo Kuma, and local design researcher Terutaka Suzuki, each of whom has a connection to Shibecha.
We brought these three friends together again to talk about how Pon Ponyu came into being, the attractions of Shibecha and Kushiro Shitsugen, and the future of tourism in Hokkaido.
Kengo Kuma
Born in 1954. Established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. Kuma has taught at Keio University and the University of Tokyo, where he is now a professor emeritus. Advocating architecture that explores new relationships between nature, technology, and humanity, he is currently engaged in projects in over 40 countries. His major publications include Kengo Kuma: Complete Works (Thames & Hudson), Point Line Plane (Thames & Hudson), Architecture of Defeat (Routledge), and Small Architecture / Natural Architecture (AA).
Kenya Hara
President, Nippon Design Center, professor at Musashino Art University. Interpreting design as formation of the external environment, Hara has long worked in multiple fields from graphic design to space design, including art direction for MUJI and serving as chief creative director of the Japan House project for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Terutaka Suzuki
Local creator, professor emeritus at Edogawa University, Representative, Local Design Institute BEENS. Suzuki connects people and resources of local communities with designers, architects, researchers, and other specialists to nurture culture and drive local economic development through local design.