On the fifth floor of the central building of Terminal 1 at Narita International Airport, in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, the new space dedicated to the experience of waiting, named SHIKISAI GARDEN – Seasonal Colors, redefines the airport layover experience: a moment often perceived as dull and tedious is transformed into an opportunity for quietness and contemplation.

Conceived as a welcoming environment for travelers before departure, the space turns design into part of an immersive landscape shaped by silence, materiality, and sensory experience. Within the Book Room, one of the areas dedicated to relaxation, a curated selection of furniture by Look into Nature embodies this vision through an understated design language deeply rooted in Japanese culture and in the relationship between people and nature. At the heart of the brand’s design philosophy is igusa, the natural rush traditionally used to weave tatami mats. Crafted using time-honoured artisanal techniques, this remarkable material offers a unique sensory quality: it helps regulate humidity, purifies the air, and brings warmth to interiors through both its tactile and visual character.

It is this material that defines the identity of the selected pieces, including the Sakyu Chair and Sakyu Chaise Longue. Both express a pursuit of essentiality, reducing the structure to its minimum in order to let the material itself take centre stage. The chair translates the simple act of sitting into a quiet, linear form, while the chaise longue expands the experience of comfort, evoking sand dunes shaped by the passage of time. Alongside them, the Keshiki Bench is conceived as an element capable of creating ever-changing spatial scenarios. Inspired by the cycle of the Japanese seasons, it reflects nature’s continuous ability to transform the perception of space. Completing the selection, the Rakusui Bench explores the concept of flow. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding architecture, blurring the boundary between wall and seating, it recalls the movement of water and its ability to shape and define space. Its fluid, almost instinctive form becomes both an architectural gesture and a functional piece of furniture. Together, these elements create a carefully choreographed environment where design supports not only the traveler, but the space itself.

The result is a narrative that reflects Look into Nature’s philosophy: restoring a direct connection between design and nature through authentic materials, essential forms, and a profound attention to sensory experience. Within the context of an international airport, this project transforms waiting into an experience in its own right.

“Design has the power to make any space worth visiting. At Narita, an airport becomes a destination in its own right — where our brand ethos meets a new vision of public space, and quality time becomes part of the experience.”

– Kenji Hadama, Global Business Director