Travels With Mr Hewson

10/06/2025

“Baby, it’s cold outside…”
Anyone else feel like a bath?

Japan has a long and rich tradition of public bathing that dates back from the 6th century to the Edo Period (1603–1868). It’s more than just getting clean—bathing is also a way to purify the spirit and improve overall well-being.
It’s a ritual I enjoy regularly, and when I’m in Japan, I often make time for a soak every single day.
Here are five of my favorite baths that I’ve visited in Japan:

5. Matsu no Yu – Kanazawa
A charming local bathhouse with old-school vibes and a loyal neighborhood following.

4. Kurokawa Onsen – Kyushu
Nestled in the mountains, this onsen town offers dozens of rustic outdoor baths with breathtaking views.

3. Tombo no Yu – Karuizawa
Elegant and serene, surrounded by forests—perfect after a long walk in the cool mountain air.

2. Hoshi Onsen Chojukan – Gunma
A historic ryokan with a timeless feel, featuring a stunning indoor bath built from wood and stone.

1. Kogane Yu – Tokyo
A retro public sento with a modern twist. Right in the heart of the city, it’s a perfect escape after a busy day

I am offering a guided tour this October that takes us from Osaka to Kanazawa then onto Tokyo via the mountain village of Karuizawa.
Lots of architecture, gardens and ‘ikigai’ 生き甲斐 or life & alive & worth or benefit.
There are still places available

[Click on the links in my bio for more details]

04/06/2025

My Top 5 Places to visit in Japan

5. Kait Plaza (Kanagawa, Tokyo)
30cm site welded steel plates cover this multipurpose covered plaza designed by Junya Ishigami for the Kanagawa Institute of Technology for student relaxation

4. Katsura Villa - (Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto)
Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū) built in 1645 and is one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden design.

3. Site of Reversible Destiny (Yoro, Gifu)
Part Landscape/Part Art Gallery it defies illusion and disorients the visitors perception a one of a kind experimental art project created by artists/architects Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins.

2. Teshima Art Museum (Teshima Island)
Located on the Seto Sea, it is designed to house one single piece of art by artist Rei Naito, the museum building , which resembles a water droplet, is made of a freestanding concrete shell which is 25 cm-thick, 40 by 60 meters, and 4 meters at its highest

1. Kenroku-en (Kanazawa)
Kenroku-en in Kanazawa is a strolling style garden constructed during the Edo period by the Maeda clan and is justifiably ranked as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful gardens”
The garden combines six characteristics, spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water sources and magnifient views.

Traveling to Japan with a guide who is an architect and speaks Japanese opens up a deeply immersive and intellectually rich experience—far beyond what you’d get from a typical tour.

I have spaces available to join our small group departing this October

If you like my top 5 then click the links in my bio and stay in touch.

I am planning tours for March and May 2026 as well.

08/05/2025

This October, why not take a journey to Japan with an experienced guide who not only has a background in architecture but also once called Japan home.
With deep local insight and a passion for design, culture, and cuisine, you'll explore with confidence and curiosity.
This thoughtfully curated trip balances the ultramodern with the deeply traditional — a blend that defines Japan. Starting in the vibrant Kansai capital, Osaka, and ending in the electric energy of Tokyo, we'll travel through the scenic and often-overlooked treasures of the Hokuriku Prefecture.
Along the way, enjoy:
* Architectural highlights from ancient temples to cutting-edge design
* Serene gardens and immersive walking tours
* Rejuvenating soaks in handpicked onsens
* Delicious meals at hidden gems — from cozy bars to exceptional regional restaurants
This is more than a tour — it's an intimate cultural experience for curious minds and adventurous souls.
[Click the links to find out more and join us.

01/09/2024

The Man in the Middle will always be…

23/08/2024

Thanks to Darren Brown, Operations Coordinator from RMIT allowing the students studying Australian Architecture History from RMIT School of Architecture into the Capitol Theatre, designed by Walter Burley Griffin & Marion Mahony Griffin in the mid 1920’s & opened 100 years ago this year.
The Capitol was once an atmospheric theatre, meaning it was a combo of live orchestra, lighting, highly elaborate interior design and of, course the cinema itself.
33000 crystal fibrous plaster chandeliers originally lit by multiple coloured incandescent bulbs now updated to LED via its 2019 renovation by
The students assumed the interior was recent, & were perplexed by how this building wasn’t designed by computers or 3D laser cutting - it wasn’t - it was hand-drawn & hand modelled, it also had a retractable ceiling which allowed a view of the sky at night & probably to let the cigarette smoke out too…
If not for the National Trust, this building would have felt the wrecking ball of Whelan The Wrecker.
The lower stalls & street foyer have long gone, now a series of takeaways shops & empty for lease shops.

23/08/2024

03/08/2024

2024 Houses Awards
Commendation
House in a Heritage Context
Jane Cameron Architects + Architect Hewson - Crown Road Ivanhoe
Collaboration with
Original Architects: Guilford Bell + Neil Clerehan
Furniture Procurement by .studio
Styling by .studio
Builder- Stuart McLean
Photography by .xyz
Jane and I would love to thank our clients for engaging an architect
We also would like to thank the category sponsor
A special Congratulations to the Joint Winners + Mark Jeavons Architect, + and our fellow commendation winner -
Clare + Mel 👏
It’s an honour to be shortlisted let alone be awarded next to our two best special Victorian peers + dynamos🥇

Former Architect - sharing my love for Japan & travel

02/08/2024

Overwhelmed to receive a Commendation in House in a Heritage Context in the 2024 Houses Awards.
Our project which is a homage to the original architects Guilford Bell + Neil Clerehan with its tiny budget compared to the other exemplar 11 shortlisted homes obviously impressed the judges whose deliberations would have been exhausting to watch.
Many thanks to .xyz our photographer, our mates at .studio for their curation of furniture & objects, many of which were purchased by our clients from .studio, our one of kind & patient builder Stuart McLean from and our dear clients who deserve a gold medal for engaging architects to facilitate the process of the project’s transformation
Jane & I run our separate practices but come together to collaborate on projects like these that warrant two well-trained minds.
You can’t just watch renovation shows on television to do the things we architects do.

30/07/2024

Wouldn’t it be nice..
Our Kew East site isn’t quite the standard orthogonal site, but we don’t just give up, we need to test and retest in order to figure out what would work.
Others may just plonk a cheap & cheerful ‘Carports-R-Us’ version, but that’s not why clients engage an architect.
It’s great to use key images for inspiration but in the end its design that counts.

23/07/2024

Now starting my 12th year as a sessional tutor at RMIT in Australian Architecture History.
These important series of lectures are all open to the public and this year are held in Building 8, Room 68 - the Edmond & Corrigan designed building lecture theatre which is where anyone who studied with me over 20+ years ago was the spot each Friday afternoon for either the late Peter Corrigans ‘slide show’ which went on for three hours (no break) or Mauro Baracco’s candid insights into architectural history “Giancarlo de Carlo” spoken in a distinct Italian accent - then we would head to Rue Babylon or Troika for a cheap tipple/wine to debrief - how bloody lucky we were🍀
I do my best to inform & entertain the students & get them off their computers for a city walk or a drop-in into significant pieces of Melbourne architecture, specifically houses
Each Friday at 1:30 or 2:30pm starting this Friday until 4 October.

26/06/2024

The current Victorian Government wishes to build 2 million new homes by 2051 to keep up with demands of the growing populations.😙
While here on the ground in Malvern East.....
We took around a year to design and seek approval for an addition to a 1980's townhouse....that sits in a Heritage Zone - think a total of 29sqm....addition. New baths, new ensuite -a scarey budget you would all weep at...or run away from. I didn't of course..
Builder quotes on it, we start negotiating, his roof plumber says - NAH - can't do that with that roof - change the height of the parapet by 300mm to make it work - So... back to council for a simple amendment right? No!! - they say - many things have changed....the roof is different to what we approved, you will need to advertise that- again...to the neighbour who said YEAH..ALL GOOD last time.... meanwhile, builder pulls the plug, NAH... he says - got a better/bigger job, on the same day the client leases a property to move into....meanwhile I have completed the working drawings with the 1000's of additional notes required by the suburban BS, coaxed another builder to quote on the job, another 6 weeks have passed...
This project is like a reality TV program. And you wonder to yourselves, how will we ever build those 2m houses when it is this hard to build an extension the size of a loungeroom...
So we have an empty rental, a house with two kids and a cute Labrador waiting to sign a contract, get their amendment, get their building permit - its a waiting game
POST NOTE: planner is now on extended leave, another planner taking over. 😳