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Grace Boyd’s favorite room has a stunning view of Puget Sound reflected in the Hinoki tub she had custom-sized by Roberts Hot Tubs. The clean lines of soaking tubs “work well in conventional bathrooms,” says Roberts’ Andrew Harris, “no need to make the whole room Japanese-style.” Grace echoed the grey of the sea and sky in the sinks and the silvery pebbles around the tub. After 32 years in West Seattle, she asked architect Mark Travers to build her a new house in the same spot- she couldn’t bear to lose her view. Tubs are popping up in real estate listings as a selling point; new owners can have an existing tub sanded to reveal a fresh layer of pristine scented wood. Photo courtesy of: Roberts Hot Tubs
Grace Boyd’s favorite room has a stunning view of Puget Sound reflected in the Hinoki tub she had custom-sized by Roberts Hot Tubs. The clean lines of soaking tubs “work well in conventional bathrooms,” says Roberts’ Andrew Harris, “no need to make the whole room Japanese-style.” Grace echoed the grey of the sea and sky in the sinks and the silvery pebbles around the tub. After 32 years in West Seattle, she asked architect Mark Travers to build her a new house in the same spot- she couldn’t bear to lose her view. Tubs are popping up in real estate listings as a selling point; new owners can have an existing tub sanded to reveal a fresh layer of pristine scented wood. Photo courtesy of: Roberts Hot Tubs
Deep in the Italian countryside a few hours from Rome, a fashion advertising couple left their frenetic life in Milan and remodeled a trio of 15-century buildings into a Japanese-style inn and center for Japanese culture. Their giant Hinoki tub from Bartok Design in Japan was carefully positioned to take advantage of seasonal views through the sliding windows. “The images and scents were extraordinary,” said one Italian visitor to the center who took a soak, “I revisit them in my mind every day.” Photo courtesy of: Bartok Design and WabiSabi Culture Japanese Center
Deep in the Italian countryside a few hours from Rome, a fashion advertising couple left their frenetic life in Milan and remodeled a trio of 15-century buildings into a Japanese-style inn and center for Japanese culture. Their giant Hinoki tub from Bartok Design in Japan was carefully positioned to take advantage of seasonal views through the sliding windows. “The images and scents were extraordinary,” said one Italian visitor to the center who took a soak, “I revisit them in my mind every day.” Photo courtesy of: Bartok Design and WabiSabi Culture Japanese Center
A Japanese hinoki bowl and stool from Mjölk sit next to a custom hinoki bathtub by Bartok Design in the tub room.
A Japanese hinoki bowl and stool from Mjölk sit next to a custom hinoki bathtub by Bartok Design in the tub room.
For a concrete guesthouse in Stone Ridge, New York, LevenBetts designed an onsen-inspired bathroom with a steam room and a hinoki tub.
For a concrete guesthouse in Stone Ridge, New York, LevenBetts designed an onsen-inspired bathroom with a steam room and a hinoki tub.
Concrete walls provide privacy in the main bathroom, where the Holtzes installed a deep hinoki cypress soaking tub.
Concrete walls provide privacy in the main bathroom, where the Holtzes installed a deep hinoki cypress soaking tub.
Hinoki and the Bird, another restaurant winner, designed by Studio MAI.
Hinoki and the Bird, another restaurant winner, designed by Studio MAI.
Hinoki tub with floor drain
Hinoki tub with floor drain
The hinoki is left in its natural state save for a transparent natural wax seal that allows the wood’s natural fragrance to come through. The floors, ceilings, and walls are all built of hinoki, including the handrails and the slatted doors.
The hinoki is left in its natural state save for a transparent natural wax seal that allows the wood’s natural fragrance to come through. The floors, ceilings, and walls are all built of hinoki, including the handrails and the slatted doors.
The bathtub is a simple box made of fragrant hinoki cypress. Its shape echoes one of Cho’s favorite inspirations: a wooden apple crate.
The bathtub is a simple box made of fragrant hinoki cypress. Its shape echoes one of Cho’s favorite inspirations: a wooden apple crate.
The serene master bath, complete with deep Hinoki soaking tub.
The serene master bath, complete with deep Hinoki soaking tub.
One such vacation inspired the tub, made of aromatic hinoki wood, in the master bathroom.
One such vacation inspired the tub, made of aromatic hinoki wood, in the master bathroom.
Timber accents in the lofty master bathroom comprise a simple Muji bench and a Hinoki wood soaking tub.
Timber accents in the lofty master bathroom comprise a simple Muji bench and a Hinoki wood soaking tub.
"The husband preferred hinoki for its calm, plain grain, and bright color," explains the architect. "I agreed not only because of its appearance, but also because of its functionality. Hinoki is one of the lightest timbers and has great heat insulation properties. It is also very soft and comfortable to walk on barefoot ."
"The husband preferred hinoki for its calm, plain grain, and bright color," explains the architect. "I agreed not only because of its appearance, but also because of its functionality. Hinoki is one of the lightest timbers and has great heat insulation properties. It is also very soft and comfortable to walk on barefoot ."
VOLA towel-warming rails climb the wall next to a custom-designed soaking tub crafted in Japan out of hinoki wood, or Japanese cypress.
VOLA towel-warming rails climb the wall next to a custom-designed soaking tub crafted in Japan out of hinoki wood, or Japanese cypress.
In the master bath, Hale chose slate tile for the floors and green-and-brown glass tile by Lunada Bay for the walls, both from United Tile. The Japanese Ofuro soaking tub, crafted from Hinoki wood, is by Zen Bathworks.
In the master bath, Hale chose slate tile for the floors and green-and-brown glass tile by Lunada Bay for the walls, both from United Tile. The Japanese Ofuro soaking tub, crafted from Hinoki wood, is by Zen Bathworks.
Overlooking Portage Bay in Seattle, this house was designed by Heliotrope Architects for a bachelor who longed for a simple bathroom with a Japanese-style hinoki tub that was installed in front of the windows for the water views. Photo by Aaron Leitz
Overlooking Portage Bay in Seattle, this house was designed by Heliotrope Architects for a bachelor who longed for a simple bathroom with a Japanese-style hinoki tub that was installed in front of the windows for the water views. Photo by Aaron Leitz
The bathroom's sauna-like interior includes a deep Toto bathtub—characteristic of traditional Japanese baths. The wooden hiba paneling, chosen because it is more water resistant than hinoki, is specific to the Northern Aomori region of Japan.
The bathroom's sauna-like interior includes a deep Toto bathtub—characteristic of traditional Japanese baths. The wooden hiba paneling, chosen because it is more water resistant than hinoki, is specific to the Northern Aomori region of Japan.
Hinoki tub
Hinoki tub
Addition with Hinoki tub
Addition with Hinoki tub
Hinoki tub in treehouse
Hinoki tub in treehouse
bath with Japanese "HINOKI" wall
bath with Japanese "HINOKI" wall
bath with Japanese "HINOKI" wall
bath with Japanese "HINOKI" wall
Bridge and Hinoki tub lookout
Bridge and Hinoki tub lookout
Hinoki wood bath mat by Viva Terra
Hinoki wood bath mat by Viva Terra
A hinoki cypress grows in the front courtyard between the garage and the main entrance.
A hinoki cypress grows in the front courtyard between the garage and the main entrance.
Master Bathroom soaking Hinoki tub overlooks canyon through balcony
Master Bathroom soaking Hinoki tub overlooks canyon through balcony
Japanese and Scandinavian design objects are for sale at the Toronto homewares shop Mjölk, and are also on display in the apartment above it. Here, the store’s owners reside in a two-story space brought to life by Studio Junction. A courtyard spills into the living room and open kitchen and dining area, and translucent shoji-style screens provide privacy. Oak shelves, soap-treated Douglas fir floors, a custom hinoki soaking tub, and a soapstone bowl in place of the kitchen sink are all thoughtful, subtle details.
Japanese and Scandinavian design objects are for sale at the Toronto homewares shop Mjölk, and are also on display in the apartment above it. Here, the store’s owners reside in a two-story space brought to life by Studio Junction. A courtyard spills into the living room and open kitchen and dining area, and translucent shoji-style screens provide privacy. Oak shelves, soap-treated Douglas fir floors, a custom hinoki soaking tub, and a soapstone bowl in place of the kitchen sink are all thoughtful, subtle details.
The hinoki bath with its ample space is illuminated by the shifting light from the skylight.
The hinoki bath with its ample space is illuminated by the shifting light from the skylight.
Master bathroom We used a Japanese Hinoki soaking tub customized to fit the space. The angled shower space was a result of compliance with setback line, but also provides privacy.
Master bathroom We used a Japanese Hinoki soaking tub customized to fit the space. The angled shower space was a result of compliance with setback line, but also provides privacy.
An homage to Japanese culture, the bathing area includes a steam room and a custom hinoki ofuro (soaking tub) next to a Ming aralia tree. "The house is very particular, and in some ways it’s very ‘designed,’ but it’s also really informal,
An homage to Japanese culture, the bathing area includes a steam room and a custom hinoki ofuro (soaking tub) next to a Ming aralia tree. "The house is very particular, and in some ways it’s very ‘designed,’ but it’s also really informal,
The sliding wood and glass panel alludes to traditional Japanese shoji screens—sliding partitions constructed of wood and translucent paper. For the house’s wooden construction, co-design studio used Japanese cedar, sugi, and Japanese cypress, hinoki, both local to the larger Saitama prefecture.
The sliding wood and glass panel alludes to traditional Japanese shoji screens—sliding partitions constructed of wood and translucent paper. For the house’s wooden construction, co-design studio used Japanese cedar, sugi, and Japanese cypress, hinoki, both local to the larger Saitama prefecture.
A skylight illuminates this house in Kyoto designed by architect Joe Chikamori of 07Beach. Since the compact site and programming left little room for a backyard garden, the living area was developed as an interior courtyard situated around an indoor ficus tree. The house also features plenty of Hinoki wood, which is soft to walk on and has good heat insulation properties.
A skylight illuminates this house in Kyoto designed by architect Joe Chikamori of 07Beach. Since the compact site and programming left little room for a backyard garden, the living area was developed as an interior courtyard situated around an indoor ficus tree. The house also features plenty of Hinoki wood, which is soft to walk on and has good heat insulation properties.
Handmade cushions sourced from small businesses on Etsy add coziness to the long white oak benches. The floor mirror made from Hinoki Cypress showcasing elegant Japanese craftsmanship is from The Citizenry. The two plush New Zealand wool rugs from Nordic Knots make a dramatic graphic statement. Hand sculpted ceramic wall hooks are from Sin Ceramics.
Handmade cushions sourced from small businesses on Etsy add coziness to the long white oak benches. The floor mirror made from Hinoki Cypress showcasing elegant Japanese craftsmanship is from The Citizenry. The two plush New Zealand wool rugs from Nordic Knots make a dramatic graphic statement. Hand sculpted ceramic wall hooks are from Sin Ceramics.
This family in Switzerland asked for a removable seat when they ordered an extra thick tub from Bartok Design, owned by an Italian architect who uses cedar from the Kiso valley, one of the few sources of Hinoki. Soaking tubs are usually smaller than conventional tubs as the bather sits with knees to chest, says owner Iacopo Torrini, but since most tubs are made to order, customers outside Japan often specify longer tubs to stretch out. Photo courtesy of: Bartok Design
This family in Switzerland asked for a removable seat when they ordered an extra thick tub from Bartok Design, owned by an Italian architect who uses cedar from the Kiso valley, one of the few sources of Hinoki. Soaking tubs are usually smaller than conventional tubs as the bather sits with knees to chest, says owner Iacopo Torrini, but since most tubs are made to order, customers outside Japan often specify longer tubs to stretch out. Photo courtesy of: Bartok Design
Stool Series is a minimalist collection created in collaboration by Jasper Morrison and Wataru Kumano for More Trees. The stool celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Japanese forest conservation organization More Trees. The company seeks to promote products that utilize local Japanese wood, using material that would otherwise go to waste. The stools are constructed of Japanese Hinoki and come in three variations: single, double, and long. The wood is sourced directly from Higashi-Shirakawa in Gifu, Japan.
Stool Series is a minimalist collection created in collaboration by Jasper Morrison and Wataru Kumano for More Trees. The stool celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Japanese forest conservation organization More Trees. The company seeks to promote products that utilize local Japanese wood, using material that would otherwise go to waste. The stools are constructed of Japanese Hinoki and come in three variations: single, double, and long. The wood is sourced directly from Higashi-Shirakawa in Gifu, Japan.

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