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- "Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage Path” Wins Bronze at the 2026 A’ Design Award
2026-05-08
"Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage Path” Wins Bronze at the 2026 A’ Design Award
It is with immense joy that we share this honor with you.
Guided by the philosophy of “UKETAMO” — to receive and embrace — HOTEL UKETAMO has transformed this pure belief into a profound journey that transcends time and space. This deeply spiritual and narrative-driven spatial work was thoughtfully designed by Paradox Studio, a member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), and has been honored with the Bronze Award at the globally renowned 2026 Italy A' Design Award. This recognition celebrates our pursuit of cultural depth, aesthetic refinement, and the soul of space itself.
At the heart of the space lies the “Staircase of Time,” spanning three interconnected floors. Inspired by the ancient pilgrimage traditions of the Yamabushi in Yamagata, Japan, the design reinterprets the spiritual meaning of the Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa — representing the past, present, and future. Through the use of tactile, grounding materials that gradually transition into light-filled and ethereal spatial expressions, guests are gently guided away from the bustle of the city and toward a deeper inner stillness.
Along the central axis of the space, the staircase becomes a symbolic platform of life itself, carrying the monumental tapestry Gazing Upon the Sacred Mountain, meticulously handwoven over six months by Yamagata Dantsu, artisans renowned for their craftsmanship once favored by the Japanese Imperial Household. As guests ascend floor by floor, their perspective transforms from humble reverence to serene clarity. This is not merely a visual transition, but a reflection of inner evolution — reminding us that the direction of the heart ultimately shapes how we perceive the mountain of life.
The journey culminates beneath the luminous installation, “Mirror Moon.” “As above, so below.” The celestial light descending from above symbolizes the origin of the universe, while the mirrored moon below reflects and responds to it, forming a complete circle that embodies the eternal spiritual cycle of Yamagata’s three sacred mountains. Within this infinite resonance lies the vastness of the cosmos and the continuity of life itself — quietly revealed through time, perception, and self-reflection.
This honor is dedicated to every traveler who has stepped into HOTEL UKETAMO and experienced this unique journey with us. We sincerely invite you to visit and rediscover the soul’s original state of “zero” through stillness, awareness, and inner reflection.
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Guided by the philosophy of “UKETAMO” — to receive and embrace — HOTEL UKETAMO has transformed this pure belief into a profound journey that transcends time and space. This deeply spiritual and narrative-driven spatial work was thoughtfully designed by Paradox Studio, a member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), and has been honored with the Bronze Award at the globally renowned 2026 Italy A' Design Award. This recognition celebrates our pursuit of cultural depth, aesthetic refinement, and the soul of space itself.
At the heart of the space lies the “Staircase of Time,” spanning three interconnected floors. Inspired by the ancient pilgrimage traditions of the Yamabushi in Yamagata, Japan, the design reinterprets the spiritual meaning of the Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa — representing the past, present, and future. Through the use of tactile, grounding materials that gradually transition into light-filled and ethereal spatial expressions, guests are gently guided away from the bustle of the city and toward a deeper inner stillness.
Along the central axis of the space, the staircase becomes a symbolic platform of life itself, carrying the monumental tapestry Gazing Upon the Sacred Mountain, meticulously handwoven over six months by Yamagata Dantsu, artisans renowned for their craftsmanship once favored by the Japanese Imperial Household. As guests ascend floor by floor, their perspective transforms from humble reverence to serene clarity. This is not merely a visual transition, but a reflection of inner evolution — reminding us that the direction of the heart ultimately shapes how we perceive the mountain of life.
The journey culminates beneath the luminous installation, “Mirror Moon.” “As above, so below.” The celestial light descending from above symbolizes the origin of the universe, while the mirrored moon below reflects and responds to it, forming a complete circle that embodies the eternal spiritual cycle of Yamagata’s three sacred mountains. Within this infinite resonance lies the vastness of the cosmos and the continuity of life itself — quietly revealed through time, perception, and self-reflection.
This honor is dedicated to every traveler who has stepped into HOTEL UKETAMO and experienced this unique journey with us. We sincerely invite you to visit and rediscover the soul’s original state of “zero” through stillness, awareness, and inner reflection.
