Why is Karuizawa chosen for living with pets? Key points for building a villa that allows you to live comfortably with your pet
- kanaya99
- 10 hours ago
- 7 min read
- A home concept that allows both pets and people to live comfortably -
When you hear about life in Karuizawa, many people may imagine spending time at a villa surrounded by nature or living a slow life enjoying the changing seasons.
In Karuizawa, the choice of moving to or building a vacation home with the intention of living with pets has been gradually increasing in recent years.
A morning walk in the forest with my dog, or an afternoon where my beloved cat is basking in the soft light by the window.
More and more people are choosing Karuizawa as their new home, hoping to provide a comfortable environment not only for people but also for pets, who are part of the family.
This time,
"Why is Karuizawa chosen for living with pets?"
"The joy of living with pets in Karuizawa"
"Building a home where both pets and people can live comfortably"
We will introduce this with some real-life examples!
INDEX
1. Reasons why people choose Karuizawa as a place to live comfortably with their pets
In recent years, many people have been considering building a home or vacation home in Karuizawa.
More and more people are considering "how to live with pets" as the first condition.
This does not simply mean that pets are allowed, but rather that choosing a home is important as it provides a truly comfortable environment for pets .
Nature itself is the best environment for pets
The greatest attraction of Karuizawa is the natural environment that is so close at hand .
Roads surrounded by trees, gently undulating walking paths, and forest scenery that changes with the seasons.
This kind of environment not only makes daily walks for your dog "a time full of stimulation and discovery,"
Even for cats who spend most of their time indoors, the window provides a rich view of nature.
Another attraction of Karuizawa is its climate.
Karuizawa is at a high altitude, so it is cooler than the city center even in summer, and there are many days when the temperature is an average of 5 to 8 degrees lower than Tokyo .
Unlike urban areas where the asphalt reflects heat strongly, the ground temperature does not rise easily, so even dogs and cats that are sensitive to heat can enjoy summer walks and daily life without any difficulty.
Living in harmony with nature is not only beneficial for people,
It can be said that this is an environment that takes into consideration your pet's senses, instincts, and even gentleness to their body.
Interaction between pet owners and a well-equipped facility environment
Karuizawa has many popular spots for walking, such as parks and walking paths where you can walk in nature.
One of the unique charms of this town is that pet owners can naturally interact with each other through daily walks. There are also plenty of pet-friendly cafes, shops, and pet specialty stores, so you can enjoy going out with your pet and doing your daily shopping without any worries.
The spacious grounds allow even large dogs to roam freely.
Karuizawa is home to many spacious homes surrounded by nature. This makes it an ideal place for those with large dogs or those considering raising multiple dogs in the future to live a relaxed life.
Just off the main road, you'll find residential areas and forests with little traffic, where you can enjoy a relaxing walk every day. In fact, some people choose to move to Karuizawa because they want to keep multiple pets.
Many people who choose Karuizawa say they feel that their pet's expression has changed and that the quality of the time they spend together has changed.
By taking a break from busy schedules and living in harmony with the rhythms of nature, both people and pets can live peacefully and without stress.
When you think about cherishing such time, Karuizawa may naturally emerge as an option.
2. Recommended spots in Karuizawa to enjoy with your pet
Karuizawa is dotted with cafes, shops, parks and other places where you can easily drop in as an extension of your daily walks and spend time with your pet.
Take a walk in nature, take a short break, or enjoy some time with your pet. We've compiled a map of spots that support this unique lifestyle in Karuizawa!
3. Key points for creating a space where pets can live safely
① Entrance storage space
There are many dog products for use outside, such as harnesses, leashes, carrier bags, and toys.
Make sure to have a large shoe closet next to the entrance. Because it's an extraordinary villa, you want to hide your shoes neatly and without clutter.
②Flooring and wall materials should be "safe" and "easy to maintain"
Non-slip flooring reduces the strain on your pet's legs and back, and choosing wall materials that are scratch and stain resistant creates a sense of security in your pet's daily life. It's important to choose materials that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also based on the assumption that you will be living with them for a long time.
For flooring, we recommend unpainted natural wood such as chestnut or wild cherry, which is also compatible with underfloor heating.
The natural material is gentle on the feet and puts little strain on the body, providing your pet with comfort and warmth.
You can also combine ease of maintenance with comfort by incorporating tiles, cork, or short-pile carpet depending on the location.
③Sliding doors if possible
If your dog is a medium-sized dog, they may try to open the door by leaning over the handle. Sliding doors are recommended to reduce this possibility. You can also add a lock to increase safety.
4. Consider noise, odor, and ease of cleaning
When living with pets, attention to small everyday details such as their cries, footsteps, smells, and hair loss can greatly affect how comfortable your home is.
By incorporating humidity-regulating and deodorizing materials into walls and ceilings, it becomes easier to maintain a comfortable indoor air environment. Diatomaceous earth plaster walls and wall materials with deodorizing properties are effective not only for odor control but also for regulating humidity.
In addition, the selection of materials and finishes that are easy to clean reduces the burden of daily maintenance, ultimately leading to the creation of a comfortable space for both people and pets.
⑤Go straight to the foot washing area
After playing outside with your dog, it's inevitable that their feet will get dirty. In such cases, having a foot washing area or shower sink by the entrance or in the garden will allow you to smoothly care for them without making a mess inside the house. Having a route that allows you to go straight to the foot washing area after a walk or playing in the garden is less stressful for both owner and dog, making daily life much more comfortable.
6. Catwalk in the atrium
For cats who like high places and need up and down movement, it is recommended to install a catwalk that makes use of the open-air space.
The three-dimensional flow of movement allows cats to move freely while feeling the presence of family members in their line of sight, making it a comfortable place for them to live. The catwalk also blends into the space as an interior accent, allowing you to casually incorporate a place for your pet into your daily life.
By connecting the upper and lower floors through an atrium, a home is created where people and cats can share the same space while maintaining a comfortable distance between them.
4. Enjoying life with pets: A case study of a villa at Kobo Shinshu
At Kobo Shinshu, which has built over 1,600 homes in Nagano Prefecture,
We have proposed many homes that allow pets, who are part of the family, to live comfortably together.
Mr. Y's residence in Karuizawa
Enjoy a relaxing time with your pet in the earthen floor salon
At Kobo Shinshu, we incorporate earthen floor salons into our homes as spaces that are conducive to living with pets.
We propose this as a place where you can relax and unwind after a walk or playing in the garden, blending into your daily life.
Tile finish for comfort and ease of maintenance
The floor is tiled, which keeps it cool in the summer and also makes it non-slip.
It can be easily cleaned even if it gets dirty, making it a great feature for living with pets.
You can spend time without worrying about getting dirty
It can be easily cleaned by wiping with water , so you don't have to worry about it getting wet or dirty, and you can even bring your dog inside after a walk.
The earthen floor salon is convenient for smooth traffic flow from the outside to the inside.
The terrace is gently connected to the living and dining areas, integrating the indoors and outdoors to create a relaxed lifestyle.
Floor heating keeps you warm even in winter
The earthen floor salon is also equipped with underfloor heating, so your feet will be enveloped in gentle warmth even in winter.
This is a comfortable space all year round, even for pets who often spend time close to the floor.
Relax at just the right distance
A dirt-floored salon is ideal for a spacious living/dining/kitchen area where people and dogs can spend time together. We offer a space where you can spend time comfortably, with just the right distance between you and your dog.
Summary | Imagine living with your pet in Karuizawa
Living in Karuizawa not only offers the bounty of nature and a pleasant climate, but also an environment where you can cherish the time you spend with your pet.
Enjoy the outdoors to the fullest and relax comfortably inside the home. A home where people and pets can spend time together comfortably in the same space while respecting the appropriate distance between them will gradually bring a certain richness to your daily life.
At Kobo Shinshu, we carefully consider the design of each home, taking into account the site conditions, lifestyle, and pets' personalities and how they spend their time.
"How would you like to spend time with your pet?" Why not use this thought as a starting point to think about building a home in Karuizawa?
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!
We look forward to seeing you at the "Kobo Shinshu no Ie" Karuizawa showroom !
While we are architectural professionals such as designers and construction managers, all of our employees act as "Shinshu concierges" to support a rich life in Shinshu.
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