Transform Your Life from Pushing Through Survival to Serenity—with Calm Clarity and Purpose.
What is
KOMINKA
Zen House Kominka is a lovingly restored kominka—a traditional Japanese folk house—originally crafted in Japan and carefully reassembled here in Wallowa County, Oregon.
Surrounded by our majestic mountains, wide open skies, and dynamic nature, it offers a rare opportunity to experience the quiet elegance of rural Japanese life in one of the most stunning and untouched regions.
Unlike museum examples of similar architecture, Zen House Kominka is available for overnight stays, offering guests a fully immersive experience. In addition to lodging, guests can enjoy traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, personalized coaching sessions grounded in neuroscience and mindful practice, and the option to arrange authentic Japanese dinners—all designed to support rest, connection, and intentional living.
Discover a Japanese folk house in Wallowa’s wild—where tranquil tradition meets rugged nature, and the mind and soul are restored
It goes back to the summer of 2021...
Some of you asked how we discovered Kominka Collective—a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and relocating Kominka houses.
I first connected with Kominka Collective when they invited me to perform a tea ceremony at their Lostine Kominka on a beautiful summer day. At the time, the structure was still under construction—just pillars on a plywood floor with a roof. Yet, with tatami mats, shoji screens, a byobu, and ikebana flowers, the space was already infused with Kominka’s unique charm. The serenity left a deep impression on me.
Kominka Collective has two headquarters: one in Lostine, Oregon (just 15 minutes from us) and one in Aichi, Japan (only 4 minutes from where I was born and raised). It feels serendipitous that these two places—both remote—became the organization’s bases, out of all possible locations in Japan and the U.S.
One year later, another twist of fate brought us together again. A buyer for a Kominka studio in Portland, OR, had to back out, and Kominka Collective reached out to us. At the time, we were in the midst of a Japanese-style tea room project that had started as a tiny home but had taken an unexpected turn, leading to a significant loss. Their offer came at the perfect time.
The Kominka studio is an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), built in a modular fashion to streamline the U.S. permit process. It originally had no power or plumbing, but we expanded it by incorporating an entire second-story of a Kominka house—rescued just before demolition. This project beautifully integrates modern design with sheer tradition, proving what’s possible when vision and passion come together.
Watch how Zen House Kominka was built blending the traditional Japanese carpentry and western building methods.
Videos: © 2024 Kominka Collective
Experience Ultimate Serenity
The Japanese Tea Ceremony at Zen House Kominka
Immerse yourself in the tranquility of authentic tea ceremonies, where ancient rituals unite with the art of mindfulness. Watch Mae's testimonial here in the video.
“Thank you so much for a beautiful experience. I truly felt so honored and brought to tears several times. To watch the detail and presence in each little moment brought tingles to my body. Such grace, beauty, and tranquility."
Tera, OR