Yamagoya Cabin: A Japanese-Inspired Vacation Rental in Roxbury, NY

Christine and Seikai left Brooklyn after 13 years, craving mountains, warmth, and a life lived outdoors. Yet, six months after moving to Arizona, they missed New York — not the rush, not the noise, but the roots. That longing brought them to the Catskills, where they discovered Yamagoya, a cabin that would become their Japanese-inspired retreat in Roxbury, New York.

“We only saw it virtually. The photos were enough — the light on the trees, the warmth of the wood. We knew.” — Christine & Seikai

Leaving Brooklyn, Carrying Japan With Them

The couple had always dreamed of creating a space reminiscent of a traditional Japanese ryokan — cozy, minimal, and rooted in nature. Yamagoya’s rustic wood and arched chalet roof offered the perfect canvas. From the start, it wasn’t just a personal escape. It was a place to share with others:

“From the beginning, Yamagoya was meant to be shared. A personal escape, yes — but also a place where others could experience a taste of Japan without ever boarding a plane.” — Christine & Seikai

Even though the cabin itself wasn’t authentically Japanese, Christine and Seikai brought the spirit inside. Carefully chosen decor, earthy palettes, and subtle touches like lanterns and a noren curtain created a calming, welcoming environment.

Designing for Calm and Restraint

Inside, nothing feels accidental. Original wood floors and ceilings were left untouched. Furniture remains neutral, earthy, and quiet. The living room, framed by large windows, is the heart of the home — nature becomes the artwork.

“Calm here isn’t styled. It’s edited.” — Christine & Seikai

Every detail, from the fountain outside to the gentle glow of lanterns, guides guests into a space meant for reflection and relaxation.

Upstairs: Where New York Disappears

Upstairs, Christine and Seikai created the tatami room, complete with custom shoji-style windows. Tatami mats, futons, zabuton cushions, and a low table transform the space into an authentic ryokan experience.

“The tatami room feels like stepping somewhere else. Every time we stay there, it reminds us of Japan.” — Christine & Seikai

This is more than a bedroom. It’s a place to meditate, practice yoga, read slowly, or simply sit on the floor and talk longer than you planned.

“If it didn’t exist, the cabin would lose its cultural heartbeat. It’s the difference between a bedroom — and an experience.” — Christine & Seikai

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Objects With Stories

Christine and Seikai curated the cabin from a mix of local and international sources. Some pieces came from West Elm or Pottery Barn; others traveled from Japan. Family treasures, pottery, kokeshi dolls, bonsai, moss, and branches bring authenticity. Even the shoji windows were handmade to soften light and enhance calm.

The cabin was designed remotely, with Christine and Seikai trusting intuition and photos before they ever stepped inside. They landscaped, built the fire pit, constructed the tatami platform, and created an emakake wishing station outside. Yamagoya is a living, evolving space.

The Catskills as Co-Creator

The Catskills themselves inspired design decisions. The mountainous landscape mirrors parts of rural Japan, letting the forest feel like part of the interior experience. Minimal interiors allow the natural surroundings to shine, creating a seamless inside-outside relationship.

Guests often comment: it feels warm, inviting, calm, and unexpectedly reflective.

What They’re Most Proud Of

“Dreams take time. We learned that patience, trust, and a little DIY can turn a vision into something meaningful.” — Christine & Seikai

From buying the property virtually to building elements themselves, Christine and Seikai transformed Yamagoya into a cultural retreat that’s both personal and shareable. One day, they hope to add a full onsen experience — a wood-fired hot tub, foot baths, and Japanese gardens — completing the ryokan vision.

Why Yamagoya Lives on Locèlle

Locèlle is a collection of intentionally designed homes — spaces that feel considered, not algorithmic. For owners like Christine and Seikai, it offers control, direct bookings, and the ability to share their story on their terms.

Yamagoya was built from a desire to carry something meaningful across oceans — and to share it. It’s not just a cabin in Roxbury. It’s a mountain memory, reimagined. The lanterns are lit. Tea is waiting. Come see for yourself.

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