House in Yokosuka 2nd: Contemporary Coastal Living in Kanagawa

House in Yokosuka 2nd is a refined example of modern coastal architecture in Japan, designed for a city-based family seeking a tranquil seaside retreat. Located along the shores of Kanagawa Prefecture, the residence overlooks a white sandy beach animated by offshore winds and weekend marine activity. The house redefines waterfront living by merging natural materials, expansive glazing, and a spatial concept rooted in the landscape.

Concept: Extending the Beach into Architecture

The guiding principle behind the project is the idea of “the land shaping the sea.” The architecture acts as a seamless extension of the shoreline, framing ocean views while establishing a private sanctuary within an active coastal setting.

The first construction phase, initiated in 2021, included the main residence, a multi-purpose annex, and a garage. In 2025, the second phase expanded the primary structure, responding to the client’s desire for spaces that feel even closer to the sea. This expansion enhances both functionality and experiential quality, reinforcing the connection between architecture and horizon.

Panoramic Ocean Views and Vertical Openness

The sea-facing main house features a dramatic first-floor living area with an approximately four-meter-high ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling glass openings stretch across the façade, dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior.

Through these expansive windows, the Pacific horizon unfolds uninterrupted. Natural light floods the living space, while the high ceiling amplifies the sensation of openness and coastal airiness. The transparency of the façade allows the shifting colors of sky and sea to become part of everyday life — a hallmark of Japanese seaside house design.

Natural Stone and Material Harmony

Material selection plays a defining role in shaping the atmosphere of the residence. Natural stones quarried from an island in Setouchi, along with Kiso stone from Gifu, are used consistently across exterior and interior elements.

These stones form the fireplace, console, coffee table, and interior landscape features. Their textured surfaces interact beautifully with firelight, creating subtle shadows and a sense of warmth. The interplay between flickering flames and mineral surfaces evokes both serenity and groundedness — key elements of luxury coastal home design in Japan.

This careful material continuity strengthens the architectural identity, ensuring that interior spaces resonate with the rugged coastal environment.

Elevated Living: Terrace, Open-Air Bath, and Fire Pit

The second-floor expansion introduces a refined private zone overlooking the sea. The enlarged master bedroom connects to a newly created terrace featuring an open-air bath and a fire pit table.

Granite reminiscent of sandy beaches was selected for the terrace flooring, maintaining visual harmony with the surrounding landscape. The open-air bath enhances the sensory experience of coastal living, allowing residents to immerse themselves in ocean views, sea breeze, and changing skies.

The fire pit table provides a communal focal point at dusk, blending warmth and landscape into an intimate evening setting. Together, these elements elevate the home into a complete luxury seaside retreat in Kanagawa.

A Contemporary Japanese Beach House

House in Yokosuka 2nd demonstrates how architecture can frame nature while respecting its presence. Key design features include:

• Floor-to-ceiling ocean-facing glazing
• Double-height coastal living space
• Natural stone integration from Setouchi and Gifu
• Open-air bath with panoramic sea views
• Granite terrace inspired by sandy beaches
• Seamless indoor-outdoor flow

By combining modern minimalism with tactile natural materials, RID Co., Ltd. creates a residence that feels both expansive and intimate.

Redefining Coastal Architecture in Japan

Set against the dynamic shoreline of Kanagawa, House in Yokosuka 2nd offers a thoughtful interpretation of contemporary Japanese coastal living. The home balances transparency and solidity, lightness and texture, privacy and openness.

Through its refined use of stone, glass, and spatial layering, the residence becomes more than a house — it is a carefully composed frame for the sea, transforming everyday life into an immersive coastal experience.

All the photographs are works of  Yoshiro Masuda