House of Light - Tokamachi

It is not often that you get the opportunity to stay in a work of art but the House of Light in Tokamachi offers just that. It is part of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale and is a stunning accommodation option in the heart of Snow Country.

It was designed by artist James Turrel as a guest house for meditation and combines the concept of light with a traditional Japanese building. It conducts a great view over the valley below and also onto some other works of art that are part of the festival in the gardens below.

The main room has a roof that slides out to let the natural light in and has different lighting effects depending on the light outside. Other rooms also make use of different lighting most notable the baths with their underwater fibre optic lights

It's a really intimate place to stay ideally suited to a small group and is sure to impress. It is also possible to visit this work of art just to have a look around.

(The Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale 2012 runs from July 29th to 17th September.)