Trend

“Shukubo” is a place where visitors can experience traditional Japanese culture while staying at a temple or shrine. In this article, we will explore the attraction of shukubo.

Origin of Shukubo

The history of shukubo dates back to the Heian period (794-1180). It is said that shukubo originated as lodging facilities for aristocrats who made pilgrimages to temples and shrines. Later, through the passage of time from the Kamakura period to the Edo period (1180-1868), they evolved from accommodations for priests and pilgrims to a familiar pastime for the general public. Nowadays, shukubo is not only a place for local people but has also become a popular facility for foreign tourists to experience different cultures.

Highlights of Shukubo

Shukubo is different from ordinary lodging facilities. The attraction of a shukubo lies in the opportunity to engage in extraordinary cultural experiences, such as Buddhist services, ascetic practices, and Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.

Although the content varies from facility to facility, the following are some examples of experiences offered at a shukubo:

• Otsutome: A ceremony in which a priest reads sutras to pray for ancestral offerings and family safety.
• Meditation: Calming the mind and regulating breathing to create a state of relaxation.
• Zazen: A state of mental unification achieved by sitting in an upright posture.
• Shakyo: Copying sutras. It is important to carefully copy the sutras one by one.
• Shabutsu: Copying a sketch of a Buddhist image.
• Waterfall training: A practice to train the body and mind by exposing the whole body to the waterfall’s current.
• Buddhist vegetarian cuisine: A vegetarian diet based on Buddhist teachings that does not contain meat or fish.

These experiences are not only extraordinary and special but also have a positive effect on the mind and body. Shakyo and shabutsu increase the power of concentration, while meditation and zazen can help calm the mind by reducing stress and anxiety. Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, which is gaining attention worldwide, is known for its vegetable-oriented dishes offering an abundance of nutritious and well-balanced options.

A One-of-a-Kind Space Created by History

The oldest temple in Japan is said to be 1,400 years old. Once constructed, temples and shrines, which are traditional Japanese architecture, can remain in existence for 500 years and are cherished as historical architecture that takes root in the local community. This long history nurtures and creates the unique charm of the temple.

Through shukubo, some temples offer visitors special opportunities to see and experience important cultural properties that are not usually available for public viewing. The experience of eating and sleeping amidst history, architecture, and art at close quarters is an opportunity to sharpen the senses and face oneself.

In Conclusion

Shukubo is a place to heal the body and soul in a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The best part of a shukubo is the opportunity to experience ascetic practices, learn about Japanese culture such as Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, or simply relax and feel the flow of time in the natural surroundings.

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Introducing Two Trends to Watch from the Global Survey Results of Travel Destinations

Expedia Group has unveiled the travel trend report ‘Unpack ’24.’ Drawing from a global survey of 20,000 travelers across 14 regions worldwide, including Japan, and supplemented by data from Expedia Group brands such as Expedia and Hotels.com, ‘Unpack ’24’ presents six travel trends for 2024, encompassing popular destinations to the latest technologies in the travel industry. In this article, we will delve into two of the highlighted trends.

Source: Expedia website https://www.expedia.co.jp/stories/2024-travel-trends/

Trend Highlight 1: Selecting Travel Destinations Influenced by TV Shows and Movies – “Location Touring Trips”

Building on last year’s momentum, the trend of “choosing TV and movie filming locations as travel destinations” is projected to continue in 2024. Surveys indicate that over half (53%) of respondents have either researched travel destinations or booked trips based on the influence of TV shows and movies.

Among Japanese respondents, the primary sources of influence were “TV programs such as variety shows and dramas (49%),” followed by “books (38%)” and “streaming services (16%).” Notably, television programs wield significant influence in Japan compared to the global average.

Japanese films and animations with international fan bases, such as “Golden Kamuy” set in the late Meiji period and “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” set in the Taisho era, have captivated many with their distinctive worlds. Consequently, accommodations featuring designs symbolizing these eras have emerged as popular travel destinations. Examples include ARU Hotel Kyoto, a project involving GARDE.

Francesco Ristori, the interior designer, remarks, “Through this project, I encountered Japan’s unique aesthetic and cultural styles, epitomized in the concept of ‘Taisho Romance.'” He adds, “Initially, I perceived it as Western-style emulation, but upon deeper exploration, I was struck by the creation of a distinctive worldview that offers fresh interpretations of Western architecture and art.” Such experiences transcend nationality, illustrating how firsthand encounters in locations frequented by movie protagonists shape travel trends. Movie protagonists have been can become travel trends.

Source: GARDE Co., Ltd. Press Release: “The Emergence of ‘Taisho Romance’ in Sanjo Kiya-machi, Kyoto”
The modernistic worldview crafted by Italian designers is truly embodied in the creation of ‘ARU’.

Trend Highlight 2: The Era of “Generative AI” in Travel

In 2024, the era of “Generative AI” is anticipated to unfold, progressively influencing travel content. While the responses generated by Generative AI hinge on prompts (instructions to the AI), they are poised to impact not only tourist destinations but also the very essence of travel itself. The report reveals that 50% of survey respondents express interest in leveraging Generative AI for travel bookings, with 69% believing it can facilitate travel itinerary planning.

Furthermore, novel forms of “immersive experiences,” such as exploring virtual reality spaces and game worlds like the Metaverse art museum “COCOWARP” created by GARDE, are poised to emerge as new travel trends.

You can find the full Unpack ’24 report here and the Unpack ’24 special site here.

For more information, visit:
GARDE Official Website: https://www.garde-intl.com/
Design Magazine: https://www.gardedesignmagazine.com/

References:
ARU Hotel Kyoto: https://aru-kyoto.com/
GARDE Portfolio: https://www.garde-intl.com/portfolio/por_details.php?ptid=167&img=5&lang=jp
COCOWARP: https://www.cocowarp.com/References:

GARDE diligently participates in both national and international awards annually, striving to amplify recognition of the excellence inherent in its space and design, even post-project completion.
Among numerous esteemed entries, award recipients are chosen via impartial evaluation conducted by a panel of design experts serving as the jury.
Outlined below is a partial compilation of prestigious design awards that GARDE consistently enters each year.

DNA Design Awards Paris
Founded in Paris by the FarmaniGroup, in collaboration with the creative collective InBetween, these awards serve as a testament to their commitment to nurturing and honoring the world’s design talent. Through a diverse range of activities and awards, they aim to recognize the contributions of international architects and designers whose practical, beautiful, and innovative creations enrich our everyday experiences.

Click here to read about the latest winning article for this award.

International Property Awards
The awards were inaugurated in 1993 under the patronage of International Property Media Ltd. Particularly renowned is the Asia Pacific Division, acknowledged as a premier design accolade for the region. Entries pour in from 25 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific Region, undergoing evaluation by a distinguished panel of approximately 80 experts.

Click here to read about the latest winning article for this award.

MUSE Design Awards
The awards are presented by the International Awards Associate (IAA), established with the mission to celebrate, promote and encourage creativity by providing a new standard for evaluating the production and distribution of media design. It is one of the most highly recognized awards, judged by a panel of about 40 judges from around the world.

Click here to read about the latest winning article for this award.

International Design Awards
Established also by FarmaniGroup to recognize, celebrate and promote design excellence in architecture, interior, product, graphic and fashion design foresight and to discover new talent from around the world. All entries are judged on the same criteria by industry experts with at least 15 years of experience.

Click here to read about the latest winning article for this award.

iF Design Award
Established in 1953 under the patronage of the Germany-based International Forum Design (Industrial Design Association), these awards are renowned for their exceptional design and societal contributions. With over 7,200 entries from 56 countries submitted to the competition, a jury comprising 132 distinguished design professionals from more than 20 countries meticulously selects approximately 20% of the entries to receive awards.

Click here to read about the latest winning article for this award.

DFA Design for Asia Awards
The DFA Design for Asia Awards stands as the flagship initiative of the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), honoring design excellence and acknowledging remarkable design from an Asian viewpoint. Since its establishment in 2003, the DFA Design for Asia Awards has offered a platform for exceptional designers and companies to present their designs and projects to a global audience.

Nikkei New Office Award
Established by Nikkei Inc. and the New Office Promotion Association (NOPA), these awards aim to foster the development of “New Offices” and honor offices that showcase originality and innovation. Judging criteria include the comfort of workers, the creation of a conducive environment for creativity, consideration for the local surroundings, and the integration of information technology to facilitate intellectual production activities.

Indeed, aside from the awards highlighted in this article, there exist numerous other prestigious design accolades.
Observing the award presentations of each competition offers a valuable opportunity to stay abreast of the latest design trends and refine one’s design sensibilities.
Immersing oneself in the world of design through these experiences is truly enriching.
Stay tuned for future award announcements, which will be featured in our newsletter and Design Magazine.

Wine Collection Beyond Vineyards, Cellars, and Wine Shops and Right Into the Space at the Border Between Reality and Virtual

Many think of the metaverse as a space or alternate world that was made for us to explore, different from our daily lives. It is a novelty space that can be accessed from anywhere, anytime; a world that offers visitors the opportunity to extend their realm of friendships and relationships into the digital world.

Now the metaverse can give a fresh breath of air to our passions, such as art and winery.

Wine Collecting in the Metaverse Mixes Entertainment, Knowledge, and Education

Today we are going to explore the work of Crurated, a Startup and membership-based community that aims to make highly sought-after bottles more accessible to wine lovers worldwide. What better way to do that than through the metaverse?

The Startup was founded by Alfonso de Gaetano, former director at Google, and since the beginning it has used digital tools such as NFTs and Blockchain to certify the origin and track the ownership of every bottle sold.

Now they have expanded their interest in the digital realm into the metaverse, offering an experience to wine collectors that mixes entertainment, knowledge, and education, therefore helping the decision-making process for purchasing a wine bottle.

Enhancing Wine Collecting in the Metaverse

The experience of wine collecting in the metaverse is not tied to a physical location, so it caters to a wider audience. It also gives the ability to introduce the history of a bottle more entertainingly compared to simply looking at a wine list.

In practical terms, Crurated introduced an AI model to help visitors learn about the history and origins of a bottle, and to help find answers to their questions about the bottles. The platform also allows members to share their private wine collections with visitors online.

The designer of the cellar space was Italian architect Giovanni Francesco Frascino, who was able to play with the technology and value new aesthetic sceneries that only the metaverse could allow.

A New Technology For Immersive Wine Shopping  

Crurated’s metaverse is built on the virtual production tool Unreal Engine 5, also used by Garde in COCO WARP, to give the illusion of a hyper-realistic and immersive environment.

In conclusion, the metaverse allows for a richer experience for all wine lovers, because to shop in the metaverse and learn about the history of a bottle is to help people choose their next bottle in an entertaining new way.

Enjoying wine is as much about wine tasting in the physical world as it is about the selection experience of your next bottle, and now anyone can do that easily in the metaverse.

Photo: Kym Ellis, Vinicius “amnx” Amano

In the realm of Japanese business, few entities command as much respect and admiration as the shinise, traditional companies with over 100 years of history. The country is also home to the oldest company in the world, a construction firm specializing in temples and shrines with a mind-boggling 1443 years of operation. These long-standing establishments have weathered the storms of time and emerged as pillars of stability in an ever-changing economic landscape. Often passed down through generations, they embody not just a legacy of commerce but also a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Japanese entrepreneurship. In a time where society seems like it’s starting to regain its footing, let’s delve into some of the reasons for the stability and success of the shinise.

Embracing Tradition: The Heart of Shinise

At the core of Japan’s shinise lies a profound respect for tradition. These companies have not just survived but thrived by adhering to time-honored practices and values passed down through generations. Whether it’s the meticulous craftsmanship of a Kyoto ceramics workshop or the time-tested recipes of a family-owned sake brewery in Hiroshima, shinise companies embrace their heritage as a source of strength and continuity.

Resilience in Adversity: Weathering Challenges

Throughout their long histories, shinise companies have faced numerous challenges – from wars and economic crises to natural disasters and pandemics. Yet, time and again, they have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and survive. This resilience stems not just from their financial strength but also from a deeply ingrained ethos of perseverance, innovation, and commitment to their employees, communities, and craft.

Innovative Succession Strategies: Passing the Torch

In cases where there are no blood-related heirs to inherit the family business, some shinise have adopted innovative strategies. They may seek out talented individuals from within the company or even outside it, who embody the values and ethos of the shinise, to carry on its legacy. This open-minded approach to succession ensures that the company’s traditions and culture can endure, regardless of familial lineage.

Commitment to Craft: Steadfastness Amidst Change

Furthermore, shinise companies are known for their unwavering dedication to their craft or product. Unlike modern businesses that may pivot quickly in response to market trends, shinise tend to stay true to their core offerings. This steadfast commitment to quality and tradition not only reinforces their brand identity but also fosters long-term customer loyalty.

Looking ahead, as Japan’s economy continues to evolve in the 21st century, the role of shinise companies remains as crucial as ever. Their ability to blend tradition with innovation, customer trust with global expansion, and resilience with adaptability will be key to navigating the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and competitive world. Japan’s shinise are not relics of the past; they are beacons of stability and strength, guiding the way forward for generations to come.