Machida combines the best of urban and suburban life. Thanks to its extensive train network, central Tokyo and Yokohama are both about a 30-minute ride away, making it a highly convenient area. Move a little away from the bustling station, and the charm of bucolic landscapes with farmlands and gentle hills remains, along with plenty of parks and green spaces.
Our destination this time was the home of the Kaneko family, who live in such a setting. PAPERSKY editor-in-chief Lucas was accompanied by Koji Mayumi, a Machida-based printmaker who also works with illustrations and various sculptural forms. What kind of life would we catch a glimpse of in this wooden home?
Visitors: Lucas B.B. (PAPERSKY editor-in-chief), Koji Mayumi (Machida-based artist working in printmaking, illustration, and sculptural forms)
Hosts: Shigeru Kaneko, Aoi Kaneko, Takumi Kaneko, Asahi Kaneko (Machida denizens and owners of the BESS house “COUNTRY LOG”)
1. Hats Off to BESS for made dream come true
Shigeru and Aoi Kaneko both work at an apparel company and have a keen sense of fashion. They looked for a home within commuting distance of their workplace in Harajuku and settled on Machida. Shigeru, an avid fan of American casual style, and Aoi instantly fell for the triangular-roofed COUNTRY LOG. Its chimney stood out in the residential neighborhood, giving the house an exceptionally charming vibe.
Lucas: “I couldn’t imagine a ‘COUNTRY LOG’ right in the middle of a residential area, but it really blends into the streetscape.”
Shigeru: “Yes, I feel the same way. But while the house was being built, people in the neighborhood noticed that a wooden house was unusual, and I think there were even rumors it might be a bakery or something! Ha ha.”
Lucas: “I’ve seen ‘COUNTRY LOG’ homes in rural settings, but it works in the city too. Among regular houses, it creates a nice contrast and feels very balanced. Why did you decide to build here?”
Shigeru: “Before moving to Machida, we lived downtown in Nakameguro. At the time, our aim was to live in a city we might not be able to live in later. My wife and I looked for rental properties in Yoyogi-Uehara and Nakameguro, and we ended up with a house tucked into the Nakameguro shopping street. Both of us worked in Harajuku, so it was convenient, and we really liked Nakameguro, such a fun area.”
Aoi: “But the house was small, and after having children, we wanted a bigger space to raise them.”
Shigeru: “Also, the more popular the area became, the busier it got. On our days off, the whole city felt crowded. So we decided we wanted a slightly more spacious place. There was a BESS LOGWAY in Daikanyama, so we went to check it out.”
Lucas: “Had BESS been on your radar before that?”
Shigeru: “No, we just happened to know about the Daikanyama location. We wandered around the display homes and realized we loved wooden houses. We decided together that BESS was the only choice.”
Aoi: “We didn’t have a clear image of what we wanted; just that we didn’t want a ready-built home. But when we found BESS, we both agreed that this was the one. I also felt that our kids could really thrive in a wooden house like this, so there wasn’t much doubt.”
Shigeru: “I also had never seen a wooden house like this in Tokyo, so it seemed kind of interesting to me.”
Aoi: “And we loved the triangular roof, so it was a no-brainer – COUNTRY LOG only.”
Koji Mayumi: “Why did you choose Machida?”
Shigeru: “We did look at two other builders, but we were very taken with BESS’s concept and craftsmanship. So we decided first and foremost to build a COUNTRY LOG and consulted with the BESS team.”
Lucas: “About the land?”
Shigeru: “Yes. We didn’t know this at the time, but BESS said they would even help us find a plot of land, which really surprised us.”
Lucas: “Wow, that makes buying a house so much easier.”
Shigeru: “We were looking for land within commuting distance, but good plots go fast, and you have to strike while the iron is hot. Near Saitama, there were a few good plots over three to four months, but we missed them. So we asked BESS to help us find a plot in Machida, near my parents’ place.”
Koji Mayumi: “I see—that makes sense. It’s great they helped with the land too.”
Shigeru: “The place they found for us is the one we went with. It’s a corner lot, which we liked, but it wasn’t easy to decide quickly. BESS showed us around the site with a tape measure, explaining where the doors would go and such. That made it easy to imagine the finished house, so we were able to decide immediately.”
2. A House That Lets You Breathe
Looking around the house, you can see each family member’s favorite things displayed tastefully. We wanted to dig deeper into what they love about this home.
Lucas: “Shigeru and Aoi, your work involves handpicking and showcasing stylish apparel and interiors. From that perspective, how do you see BESS as a brand?”
Shigeru: “Each BESS home has its own concept and story, which is interesting. Overall, I think what’s most appealing is the sense of freedom they give you. Other builders’ homes feel quite complete and set, but BESS homes let you choose many aspects of the interior yourself. That style suits us. Even seeing articles and videos of other BESS owners, you can tell they’re living freely and enjoying it.”
Lucas: “You can really imagine that kind of freedom even with the LOGWAY.”
Shigeru: “My wife and I also love traditional American products and interiors, so the style and feel of this house really matched us.”
Koji Mayumi: “When I opened the door, I was surprised by all the shoes in the entryway—but it doesn’t look messy at all. It fits the house’s atmosphere.”
Shigeru: “Because of my work, shoes and clothes tend to accumulate. Ha ha. I built a shoe rack in the entryway to make it a sort of display. We have a lot of clothes that keep increasing, so we asked BESS for a slightly larger walk-in closet. In return, we made the loft a bit smaller.”
Lucas: “So the whole house is tailored to you.”
Shigeru: “Even the living room had a wall in the center at first, but we had it removed to make it more open. We also thought we might not need children’s rooms yet.”
Lucas: “That lets sunlight flow through the house—it’s so bright.”
Koji Mayumi: “So BESS homes let you set up your space to live freely. By the way, what’s it like living in a wooden house? I’ve always admired them.”
Aoi: “I’ve realized that the temperature control is amazing. On cold days, it feels slightly warm; on hot days, slightly cool. In winter, the house soaks up sunlight during the day and keeps that warmth through the night, which is a major plus.”
Shigeru: “Also, like I said before, even leaving things out without storing them somehow works. Wooden homes really suit display storage, don’t they?”
Aoi: “And even when the kids leave things scattered, it doesn’t bother me. Small scratches or wall marks become part of the house’s character.”
Lucas: “Many people avoid wooden homes thinking maintenance is a hassle. What’s it like actually living in one?”
Shigeru: “It’s been about ten years since we had the house built, so we’ll probably need to redo the exterior soon. But up until now, we’ve hardly had to do anything.”
Lucas: “So it’s pretty easy, then.”
Shigeru: “It really is. And thinking about what to maintain is fun. Maintenance doesn’t feel like a burden; in fact, I look forward to it.”
3. A Wooden Home That Holds the Memories of Family Time
We took a short break, and Mayumi-san unwrapped some treats: Nanakuni Dango from Kaho Nakanoya, one of the most popular confectioneries in Haramachida, the bustling center of Machida. Lightly scented with Japanese mugwort and pleasantly chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness for a sophisticated afternoon snack. On a quiet Sunday afternoon, nibbling on these, the conversation continued.
Lucas: “People tend to think of Machida as being on the edge of Tokyo, but it’s actually pretty close to the city center. Mayumi, how do you see Machida?”
Koji Mayumi: “I didn’t move here for the environment, actually. I came because Machida has the International Museum of Printmaking, and I wanted to use its facilities. The area near the station is bustling, with lots of shops and people, but Machida is large, and a little away from the station there are hills and valleys where you can really feel close to nature. I love that relaxed atmosphere—there are even places where you can see fireflies.”
Lucas: “Aoi, you moved here from right in the middle of the city. How has it been for you?”
Aoi: “I like that I can get to work in Harajuku by train in about 35 minutes. The area around the house is quiet, and there are lots of parks where we can take the kids to let off steam—they’re at that energetic age. We go there often.”
Lucas: “Do you often go to the park together as a family?”
Shigeru: “Weekends are busy with the kids’ lessons, so not that often. And on weekdays I get home late.”
Lucas: “What time do you usually get home on workdays?”
Shigeru: “Around 1 a.m. Ha ha.”
Koji Mayumi: “That late?!”
Shigeru: “Luckily, work keeps me pretty busy.”
Lucas: “Then you don’t get much time to enjoy the house, do you?!”
Shigeru: “Actually, it’s not like that. I’m not much of a sleeper, so even if I get home late, I’ll take a bath, grab a quick bite, and from around two o’clock I have my own time in the living room. It feels like a waste to just go straight to bed, so I lounge around doing something until I doze off, then crawl into my sleeping bag and sleep right there in the living room. Ha ha. My wife gets up around five, which wakes me up and starts the day. Still, the time I spend in the living room makes me really happy. On my days off, I also love slipping up to the loft on the second floor and chilling there in the sunlight seeping in through the window. In that way, I feel like I get to enjoy plenty of time at home.”
Lucas: “I see. So do the kids like the house too?”
Aoi: “Yes, they do. They play hide-and-seek in the house, even jump rope sometimes. And when they have friends over, everyone gets excited. I think it’s because the layout of the house is a bit unusual.”
Shigeru: “Thinking about it again, one of the things I really like is that you can always sense where everyone is. There are hardly any walls—it’s basically all open up to the ceiling—so no matter where you are, you still feel like you’re together as a family.”
Aoi: “I couldn’t agree more.”
Lucas: “Looking ahead, what kind of life do you want to have here?”
Aoi: “My husband loves camping and the outdoors, but we don’t get much time for that at the moment. So I’d like to start setting aside time for the whole family to enjoy outdoor activities together, little by little.”
Shigeru:“That’s true. But since the house feels a bit like a mountain cabin, I already feel pretty satisfied in some ways, ha ha.”
Lucas: “Okay, one last question. What does ‘home’ mean to your family? Takumi, how about you?”
Takumi Kaneko: “Hmm… a place where I feel safe.”
Koji Mayumi: “What a great answer!”
Lucas: “How about you, Shigeru?”
Shigeru: “It’s a difficult question, but I think the house is a part of myself. It holds my family, the things I love, everything that’s important to me. I’ll grow older here, and the house will age along with me. In that sense, the house is really a part of who I am.”
Lucas: “Exactly. That’s why you have to take care of it, and over time the house really starts to show its own personality. Okay, last one—Aoi, over to you.”
Aoi: “Yes, living in this house really makes me feel that way. I think of it as a place that remembers our family time. Daily life keeps moving so fast, and we forget so many things. But small scratches, the natural aging of the house, little invisible traces—they all feel like the house is keeping a record of the time we’ve spent together. It really makes me realize that a home is such an important space for a family.”
Lucas: “That’s a wonderful answer, thank you. I’m also excited to see how this wooden house will continue to change and grow along with the Kaneko family.”
BESS home
https://www.bess.jp