LIGHTOWL DESIGNS is a lighting design studio based in Kitami City, located in the vast and nature-rich Okhotsk region of Hokkaido, Japan.

The name “LIGHTOWL DESIGNS” comes from our focus on lighting design and the fact that we are night owls, who tend to be more active at night. Our logo is inspired by the Japanese fish owl, a symbol of protection and revered by the Ainu people. The design reflects the identity of our home region of Hokkaido, evoking images of the snow-covered land, the dazzling star-filled sky, and the beautiful moon. These elements are represented through a gradient of light, encapsulating the unique identity of our home region of Hokkaido.

Our work as lighting designers involves using lighting fixtures that generate artificial light, carefully controlling the “shadows” created by adding light, and shaping the expression of a space, one detail at a time. By creating and breathing life into these expressions, we bring out the full charm and value of the space. We believe that lighting design should not be the main focus but rather an element that seamlessly blends into the space, while always enhancing and complementing the surroundings.

When observing architectural and interior spaces, landscapes, or cityscapes, there are moments when we instinctively feel a sense of comfort. This feeling arises not only from visual elements like materials, boundaries, and expansiveness, but also from the movements and changes brought by time, and the impact on our emotions, well-being, and health as living beings. In our work with shadow and light design, we constantly consider these three dimensions—space, time, and life—while shaping the ideal outcome for each project, pursuing the “comfort” found at their intersection.