At the edge of a forest in Tochigi, Japan, a 165-foot-long pedestrian bridge delivers you into a clearing with three strange structures popping out of the ground like giant mushrooms. Looking like something out of a fairytale, PokoPoko is a new contemporary extension of the Risonare Nasu Resort, set in a verdant farming region just a 75-minute bullet train ride from Tokyo. The clubhouse welcomes visitors as they arrive and connects two existing hotel buildings, acting as a central hub for family-friendly social activities.

Each one of the cone-shaped roofs is made of local timber, stretching up to a steel and glass skylight. The architects chose pine lumber skinned with plywood sheets for both strength and visual appeal, while the interior cladding has been dotted with textural knots.
Each cone has its own function. The middle cone hosts cooking activities using fresh ingredients grown on the premises and offers food-related workshops to keep both kids and parents entertained. Features include a giant wood-log pizza oven. The second cone contains a white netted structure allowing kids to climb all the way up to the skylight or dive into a ball pit at the base, enabling playtime even when it’s rainy outside. The third cone is a relaxation zone where parents can get a drink, sit by the fire, or read a book while they keep an eye on their roughhousing children. A ring of glass at the base of each cone offers panoramic views of the woods outside.

“PokoPoko ca...