kawasakike

We absolutely loved our stay at Kawasakike in Ajicho, and honestly, I think this area deserves much more attention. We originally found Kawasakike because we wanted to visit the Isamu Noguchi Garden in Mure and were looking for somewhere nearby. We are also very interested in interior design, Japanese design history and craftsmanship, and since Ajicho is famous for Aji stone, the local granite, we wanted to learn more about the area and its craft traditions. Kawasakike turned out to be the perfect place for that. The house is about 25 minutes by car from Takamatsu, but what really makes it special are the hosts, Maiko and Takumi. They are a couple originally from Osaka and Nagoya who decided to put down roots in this community and transform an old house according to their own ideas, while still respecting its original structure and history. We had such lovely conversations with them, and they even showed us the process and told us about the people involved. The result really speaks for itself. The house is stylish, playful and filled with beautiful design classics, while also being deeply connected to local craftspeople and designers who contributed to the renovation. Maiko and Takumi actually live in the house, so you share the living room and other communal spaces with them, while the second floor has your own bedroom, bathroom and toilet. There is also a beautiful private guest bath downstairs in a small separate room. At the end of the day, having Maiko prepare a warm bath for us was such a lovely way to unwind. But what we appreciated most was the genuine warmth and love they have for this community and its history. Maiko and Takumi really go out of their way to make your stay special, and they share things about the area that you simply would not get from a typical hotel or Airbnb. They know Takamatsu incredibly well and gave us wonderful recommendations for cafés, restaurants and places to visit.