Amin Abbas

RAS AL KHAIMAH: Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE is spreading the beauty of Japan’s countryside through the ‘Japanese House,’ a luxurious farmhouse where guests can immerse themselves in a variety of aspects of Japanese culture. 

The Japanese-inspired farmhouse is owned by Bridge Retreats and is located in Al Digdaga, an area in Ras Al Khaimah known for its calm atmosphere and tranquil vibes. 

Upon entering, visitors are enveloped in a special atmosphere that isolates them from the outside world, offering a unique experience not found elsewhere in the UAE.

The house was designed by highly experienced and competent professionals, achieving a remarkable result evident in the details throughout.

“The Japanese House is a real testament of our passion and love for Japan,” the owner, Abdulla AlMesafri, told Arab News Japan. “We were captivated with its amazing culture at early stage of our life. I believe in the worthiness of spreading Japanese culture.”

Designed to reflect a traditional Japanese house, the ‘Japanese House’ features a main corridor with family rooms adjacent to each other and an isolated guest house section to ensure privacy for both hosts and guests.

High-quality materials are used throughout, with specially crafted wooden elements and Japanese furniture in every corner and room. The lighting is designed to be soft and calming, enhancing the relaxing ambiance.

In the garden, there’s a vending machine room with various types of vending machines offering a wide range of Japanese products and snacks, as well as pharmaceutical items if needed.

The garden features trees imported from Asia as well as “Al Gaf” trees, which are a traditional symbol of the UAE, creating a unique blend of Japanese and Emirati cultures.

The garden also includes an outdoor pool with a unique design and materials and a seating area that is Japanese-themed, featuring Japanese art on the floor and a special area for barbecues.

Furthermore, the Japanese tea house, a separate compartment, provides a peaceful space with panoramic views of the house and garden through its glass walls. The surrounding lake is filled with imported Japanese fish that guests can feed, enhancing the overall calming experience. 

The scent of wood and the special perfumes that fill the place add to the unique sensation. Guests can enjoy drinking Japanese tea, playing board games, and practicing meditation. 

To further immerse the guests in Japanese culture, the farm collaborated with ‘Sakura Japan Taste’, a Japanese bakery based in Ras Al Khaimah, to offer guests authentic Japanese desserts. The cafe is selling a date cheesecake, a unique fusion between the two countries. 

“The cafe is very happy to be able to participate as a Japanese company enrolled in Ras Al Khaimah,” Michyo Chiba, founder and owner of ‘Sakura Japan Taste’ told Arab News Japan. “When I entered the gates of ‘Japanese House,’ I saw Japan waiting for me, and I was surprised by the high level of perfection.”

“I was able to see the interests and reactions of people in the UAE, which made me realize once again how great Japan is.” she added.

The farm house gained popularity after Qissahh, UAE-based content creators, made a video about it that went viral. Additionally, their video on ‘Sakura Japan Taste’ also went viral, leading the two businesses to foster a long-term collaboration together.

“We are thrilled to have played a role in fostering a collaboration between them,” said Taleb Al Amiri from Qissahh. “Our passion for Japanese culture and dedication to creating meaningful content have not only brought these two businesses together but also enriched the experiences of their customers.” 

“Both ‘Sakura Japan Taste’ and ‘Japanese House’ offer unique ways to experience Japanese culture in our home city of Ras Al Khaimah. ‘Sakura Japan Taste’ provides an authentic Japanese dining experience, while ‘Japanese House’ offers an elevated experience that makes you feel as if you’ve been teleported into Japan. This partnership exemplifies the power of connection and storytelling, and we are proud to be a part of it,” he added. 

The two businesses and the content creators have all originated in Ras Al Khaimah. The Emirate is slowly becoming a hub for Japanese culture, with its new Japan-themed businesses attracting Japanese expats and admirers of Japanese culture.