A choir of seabirds provides the soundtrack. Mount Fuji acts as a backdrop. Sunshine dapples through the large bay window as leaves waltz to the tempo of a calm sea breeze. Turning away from the tranquil scene playing out on the other side of the glass, you glance back down at your laptop, mind clear and ready to present. This is not merely ‘remote work,’ rather this is a partnership of peacefulness and productivity.
At Bettei Hayama Villa, managed by ENJOYWORKS, corporate retreats and team-building events can substitute the stuffy with the serene, providing a new dimension to the meaning of remote working. In the modern corporate environment, the relationship between the office and the employee is growing ever more flexible, with coworkers and clients able to connect virtually from all over the world.
Though such convenience can streamline output, there comes a time when a team needs to get together and work side by side. Whether it is brainstorming for a new project, conversing with clients, or simply raising a glass to a job well done, a sense of unity is vital. Therefore, the venue for such meetings should also reflect this togetherness, and within the Bettei Hayama Villa, ideas may flow as clearly as the ocean that waits nearby.
Bettei Hayama Villa’s History
Located in the tranquil and beautiful town of Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and situated atop a hill overlooking Sagami Bay, lies former Higashifushimi-no-miya Hayama Villa. Recognized as a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property, the structure was completed in 1914, serving as a villa for Prince Higashifushimi-no-mi-ya Yorihito. The villa’s engineer, Kozaburo Kigo, worked under the Imperial Household Ministry’s Interior Department, further collaborating on illustrious projects including the renovation of the Hayama Imperial Villa.
Bettei Hayama Villa’s layout emphasizes the theme of marriage between architectural designs. Wedding both Japanese and Western aesthetics, the green-blue roofing and a pure-white German clapboard exterior affords the villa a regality befitting its royal beginnings. Inside, the villa embraces its openness, with a wide and welcoming entranceway inviting guests to see what lies within this historical marvel. The ground-floor rooms are spacious, with lofty ceilings and ever-present access to natural lighting. These spaces are perfect for all kinds of functions, from presentations to cork-popping celebrations. The upstairs rooms act as secondary meeting rooms and bedrooms, with several original fittings that flaunt the villa’s heritage. As an added bonus, the upstairs’ windows provide a view of Mount Fuji at certain times of year. So, when the sky is clear and the sun begins to fall, there is no better place to watch the sunset as it descends behind the iconic mountain.
Stepping outside, guests are immediately embraced by the soothing sights and sounds of Hayama’s bountiful nature. With many coming from the nearby neon-drenched and boisterous cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, working within the Bettei Hayama Villa may feel like walking through a mirror and out into a slower reality. Especially when concerning the externalities of corporate work, it is imperative that teams and employees connect in a place of calmness, where they can visualize their ideas within a setting that is free of distractions.
Bettei Hayama Villa
ESTABLISHMENT- 1968 Horiuchi, Hayama, Miura District, Kanagawa 240-0112, Japan
- ☆☆☆☆☆
Event Coordinator
Through ENJOYWORKS, interested parties can be put in contact with an events coordinator. By helping to arrange the type of function, number of individuals involved, catering concerns, etc., the coordinator will ensure that a stay at Hayama Bettei Villa is as productive and stress free as possible. Catering options include the provision of local delicacies from affiliated businesses, such as fluffy pastries from Hayamuffin, and delicious meal items from restaurant Hikage Chaya. The coordinator will also be able to assist teams in planning activities, visiting nearby tourist spots, and explaining access details.
Access:
- From Yokohama Station, board the Yokosuka Line train bound for Kurihama.
- After approximately 30 minutes, exit the train at Zushi Station.
- An eight-minute journey via Keikyu bus from JR Zushi Station or Keikyu Zushi-Hayama Station.
- Exit the bus at Mukaihara and walk for approximately two minutes.
Notes for Use:
- As a kindergarten is located on the premises, entry and viewing are not possible without permission. Use of this facility is by membership only.
- In order for all users to understand the features of this facility, one representative must be registered as a “Former Higashifushiminomiya Hayama Villa La Casa Blanca Hayama Member” (Fees Apply).
- The premises are non-smoking.
About ENJOYWORKS
ENJOYWORKS is a comprehensive community development company that has been pioneering innovative town-making solutions since 2007. Starting from the Shonan area and expanding nationwide, the company creates diverse spaces—including guesthouses, co-working facilities, cafes, share ateliers, and cultural properties—through unique architecture, design, and project production. Each project aims to generate economic value, while importantly enriching communal life and preserving local heritage.
The company’s mission is to enable people to actively choose and shape their own lifestyles—how they live, work, and connect—while contributing to sustainable and prosperous regional societies across Japan.
A notable example of their work is the Former Prince Higashifushimi’s Hayama Villa. This facility was revitalized through collaboration between ENJOYWORKS and the local community, addressing the deterioration of the building more than 110 years after its completion. It is now preserved as a treasured local heritage site, serving as both a corporate venue and an exclusive rental accommodation.
Sponsored by ENJOYWORKS
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