What constitutes a "rich life"?
In search of the answer, I visited Casa Mia Kawaguchiko, Arflex Japan's lifestyle experience facility nestled in the forest at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Since its opening in 1987, it has served as a place where people can experience the lifestyle proposed by Arflex, and in 2025, it took a new step forward after undergoing a major renovation.
I had visited Casa Mia Kawaguchiko once before the renovation, and I was really looking forward to seeing what it would look like after the renewal. This is not only because of the beauty of the space created by Arflex, but also because this is not just a facility to display furniture, but a place to experience "living."
This renovation should be filled with hints for thinking about future home design and interiors, stemming from the changes in our lifestyles, life stages, family structures, and values over the past 40 years. And as you wander through this space where architecture, furniture, art, and nature harmonize, it should be an opportunity to re-examine what it means to live a life that is true to yourself and what it means to live a fulfilling life.
A philosophy of life nurtured by being "born in Italy, raised in Japan"
Arflex Japan was founded in 1969. Embracing the motto "Born in Italy, raised in Japan," the brand has been proposing new value to Japanese living by blending the rich Italian lifestyle with Japanese housing culture.
Founder Tadashi Hoshina was deeply drawn to the way people enjoyed living in their homes, something he witnessed in Italy in the 1960s. Driven by this passion, he gained experience at the Italian furniture manufacturer "arflex," and upon returning to Japan, established Arflex Japan as "a company that not only sells furniture, but also proposes lifestyles."
Current president Takashi Hoshina recalls, "From the very beginning, our corporate philosophy has been to propose a complete lifestyle through furniture."
Based on this philosophy, they have been working on developing original Japanese furniture, and in the 1970s, they launched "Orange House," which handles lifestyle goods. In 1987, they opened Casa Mia Kawaguchiko, where visitors can experience an entire living space, and since the 1990s, they have developed into a total space proposal service that includes interior coordination.
This latest renovation is also an extension of that philosophy. It updates the company's founding principle of offering "lifestyles" rather than just "furniture," to suit modern lifestyles.
A training and accommodation facility for employees, surrounded by greenery.
"Things to inherit" and "Things to add anew"
I heard that what they prioritized in the renovation wasn't making everything new.
While preserving the unique character that comes from the passage of time in the architecture, and its harmonious presence with the surrounding forest, the space has been redesigned to adapt to the changing nature and lifestyles of modern families.
Kei Hoshina, who leads the Marketing Retail Division, said, "Over the past year, as we have welcomed our customers, we have learned what we were glad we changed and what we were glad we didn't change."
True to its word, the renovated Casa Mia Kawaguchiko is not a finished product, but rather a place for continuous reflection on life.
The LDI (Life Design Institute) building, envisioned by founder Tadashi Hoshina as his "ideal lifestyle," is bathed in natural light, creating a quintessential Arflex world.
Three homes that reflect different lifestyles
Casa Mia Kawaguchiko, situated on a lush 4500-tsubo (approximately 3 square meters) plot of land, features three houses, each designed to accommodate the lifestyles of different residents.
Casa Mia means "my house" in Italian. You can explore it feeling as if you're visiting a friend's house.
This renovation allowed us to evolve our previous lifestyle and enjoy creating a new space.
First up is Model A, "Sunlight House."
This home, inherited from the couple's parents, was redesigned to accommodate a family in their 40s with one child. The separate kitchen was transformed into an open-plan space, and the kitchen and dining area were renovated to become the heart of the home, creating a space where the family naturally gathers through cooking and eating.
With working from home in mind, one of the children's rooms was converted into a workspace. The space, which separates public and private areas with differences in step heights and wall angles, remains the same, but the interior design emphasizes the connection between the inside and outside.
Exterior view of Model A as seen from the courtyard.
The kitchen used to be a separate unit.
This is the current living room. It connects from the kitchen to the dining room, and then to the living room itself. It further extends to the terrace, which serves as a second living room.
The renovation included replacing furniture and converting one of the children's rooms into a study for working from home.
The second building, Model B "Heritage House," is a home designed for a couple in their 60s who have finished raising their children.
While preserving the charm of the 38-year-old building, the space was designed under the supervision of the Italian furniture brand "Molteni&C".
The home of a couple who love Gio Ponti, known as the "father of Italian architecture and design," is filled with many of Gio Ponti's works reproduced by Molteni, updating the space into a fusion of classic and modern styles.
Exterior view of the Model B.
The previous kitchen.
The living room previously had a classic feel.
The current entrance. The armchair is a reproduction of Gio Ponti's iconic design, "D.154.2".
The current kitchen features a luxurious finish, making extensive use of high-quality materials such as natural stone.
The former bedroom space was remodeled into a closet room. In the center is the "Tuscany" chaise longue designed by Naoto Fukasawa.
The last model house is Model C, "Terraced House," a terraced house consisting of two connected buildings.
One of the buildings, "MODEL CA," is envisioned as a weekend home for a family of two in their 50s. This building focuses on a kitchen and dining room renovation, carefully selecting materials to enhance the feel of the space, while also incorporating a modern interior design that allows for enjoyment of the aging process. The way the lighting creates interplay of light and shadow, natural light and artificial light, and the overall calming effect are definitely worth noting.
Model C of a terraced house consisting of two connected buildings.
The kitchen used to be a separate room.
The kitchen was remodeled to create an integrated island kitchen and dining area.
The current bedroom has a spacious lounge area, allowing the couple to spend relaxed time together.
The living room retains its terracotta flooring, but features a Marenco design.
Finally, there's the "Satellite," located in the center of the facility.
This space has been transformed from a venue primarily for exhibitions into a place where visitors can more deeply immerse themselves in the brand's worldview.
On the first floor, there is an exhibit where visitors can experience sofa making, allowing them to learn about Arflex's commitment to craftsmanship. In addition, a garden has been created on the site of what was once a tennis court, transforming the landscape into one where architecture and nature are more gently connected.
The previous satellite building was used as a showroom.
Currently, the space has been renovated to include an exhibition area on the first floor showcasing Arflex's manufacturing process, and a lounge on the second floor with a spacious dining area, sofas, and a terrace (the photo shows the second floor).
Interior design is not just about creating a space; it's about your way of life itself.
This renovation was not about creating a new building, but rather an attempt to pass on Arflex's core principle of "a fulfilling life" to the future, while staying in tune with lifestyles that change with the times.
As I visited this place, walked through the forest, and toured each of the homes, I realized that I was thinking not about "what kind of furniture to choose," but rather "what kind of time I want to spend."
Casa Mia Kawaguchiko is a place to get interior design inspiration, but it's also a place to re-examine what kind of lifestyle suits you best.
Although this facility is not generally open to the public, there is an open day about once a month by prior reservation. Please check their website and consider visiting.
Profile
Yuko Taniguchi
For many years, she has planned, edited, and written for women's magazines, focusing on interior design, travel, and lifestyle. She values conveying the stories behind people and the creation of things.
Lounge
Premium Salon
Editorial Department & PJ Friends Blog
Premium Salon
