Konkuriito are a series of modern houses that are scattered throughout Lower Hirafu. The name is derived from the phonetic sound of the word ‘concrete’ – the material from which these houses are constructed.
But don’t let this scare you into thinking you’ll be staying in some horrible, cold building. Far from it – these houses are incredibly warm, thanks to their fireplaces and central heating. (That said, you’ll need to be OK with the look of concrete, since it’s used as the interior wall material in every room).
The Konkuriito houses were built in 2007 and 2008, and since then they have become extremely popular. It’s easy to see why – they’re located in the peaceful part of Lower Hirafu, yet they’re all no more than 100m from a ski shuttle stop.
From the outside, their appearance is imposing yet stunning. The block style buildings have thick concrete walls that are offset by dark black floor-to-ceiling glass and some wood accents here and there. Inside, they’re lavishly appointed with modern furnishings and finishes. However don’t expect to sink in to the deepest, softest down-cushioned couches – instead you’ll find contemporary sofas that look like they’ve come straight out of a sleek city apartment.
The properties are made up of one studio, several two bedroom (and two bathroom) apartments, and a bunch of three and four bedroom houses. All include full kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, as well as entertainment systems and laundries.
