Profile information
Host rating
65 %
Last replied
20 Apr 2024
Feedback
-
Email verified
Host offers payment
Details
Description
There exist a countless number of unexplored but very attractive areas in Japan where human lives still coexist with nature. The Seto Inland Sea, where Teshima is located, is one such beautiful place in Japan which retains unique scenic beauties. The entire region, including the sea and the coastal areas around it, is often collectively called “Setouchi.” The sea water is calm, like that of a lake, and the scenic beauty, consisting of the sea dotted with thousands of islands, makes it one of Japan’s most beautiful places. The unique cultures and traditions that are nurtured by the region’s nature and its history of trade serve as significant attractions; these aspects are still deeply rooted in people’s everyday lives today.
There are some 700 smaller islands in the Seto Inland Sea, only 160 of which are inhabited. Even the inhabited islands have suffered depopulation, as well as aging populations; as such, it is not uncommon to have islands where residents have an average age above 70. Teshima is no exception; it is a small island with around only 750 inhabitants, challenged with depopulation and an aging population. As the name “Teshima” (literally, “rich island”) indicates, the island is blessed with spring water. Local residents have supported themselves by growing rice, dairy farming, fishing and growing vegetables. Dairy farming has enabled island residents to be self-sufficient and produce abundant food. The original landscape of Japan has been preserved, along with traditional styles of living that have been lost in more urban areas.
However, at the height of the rapid economic growth of Japan, when mass consumption became a virtue, a grave incident occurred; a huge amount of industrial waste was disposed illegally in Teshima. Old things were destroyed, new things were produced one after another, and the huge amount of waste caused from such consumption was illegally dumped on this otherwise beautiful, untouched island in Setouchi. The beautiful beach was filled with garbage from unauthorized dumping, which was buried in the sand or piled up in heaps and burnt, causing black smoke to rise here and there. The residents of Teshima continuously complained to the municipal authorities about the appalling, abnormal situation that had befallen the island, but the authorities did not recognize the problem for a long time.
The people of Teshima, with a strong desire to protect their island, at last filed for arbitration at the Kagawa prefecture. After a long legal battle, the issue was finally settled and the cleaning of the island started, which was completed on March 29, 2017. It took as long as 14 years for all of the industrial waste that had been dumped on the island to be removed. (937,000 tons in total) This incident is now considered to be a turning point for the nation, highlighting the need to transition from a mass consumption and mass waste style of life to a more recycling-oriented society.
As the new era was ushered in, the art project commenced in Teshima following a successful project at Naoshima, with the hope of supporting the suffering island residents and helping to recover pride in their island. With the opening of the internationally-renowned Teshima Museum in 2010, the island is now also rich in art. The concept of the art project “coexistence of nature, art, and architecture”, and with this concept it aims to create works that suit the surrounding environment of the venue.
Thus it has served as a venue for projects related to food and art. Artwork has been created based on themes such as “art and a rich diet” and “recovering nature and humanity.” Due to its favorable location in which nature and art are united, along with its fascinating food culture, Teshima attracts visitors from both Japan and abroad as the second largest art island after Naoshima, the world-famous art island.
In this new era, Teshima is attracting many more domestic and international visitors as tourists. However, there are few places where foreign tourists can both learn from such a tragic past and experience the story of the island itself, and experience the beautiful nature the island is blessed with. Only limited services for tourists are available; even though an increasing number of foreign guests visit the island, there is virtually no place for them that enables communication with each other and no accommodation where they can spend their time on the island comfortably but with the experience of traditional Japanese living.
This leads us to the concept of branding Teshima by reusing what is available on the island to create what is now needed. We began our project with the aims of reviving pride in Teshima and increasing the value of Japan’s provincial towns, of opening the doors of the provincial towns of Japan directly to the world, and of making a first step forward towards a sustainable future since 2017.
In the villages on the island where untouched Japanese scenery still remains, there are many traditional Japanese houses. Half of them are not inhabited; some were abandoned a long time ago and have been neglected. We aim to provide accommodation to visitors who want to experience life on the island by making use of these unused houses.
We luckily found a couple of houses whose owner kindly understands the value of our project. The houses which stand within the existing residential areas will let those who stay in them feel the daily life of local people close by. Quiet nights, the tweets of birds, and daily lives that start very early in the morning…there is a lot to see and learn from the lives of the local people, and it may remind visitors of what is really important in life. For those who want to experience the ever-changing seasons and relaxing moments, our accommodation will offer unique moments of ease and peace on an island where time seems to flow slowly. We now own two properties and a cafe & gallery on the island and welcome our guest all over the world.
ABOUT US:
We are brother and sister grew up in Takamatsu, prefectural capital of Kagawa, and we both lived abroad for study or business for several years. Keiko (sister) has been based in Teshima since 2017 when we open up our first property and Atsushi (brother) is based in Takamatsu.
We are always passionate about meeting new people all over the world and exchange the cultures and values.
We are very sorry but we cannot reply all the messages since we have been receiving many of them so we only reply to Workawayers we are interested in. Thank you for your understanding.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Workawayers will get the chance to be in close contact to nature, the sea and mountain, and Japanese culture. It is a simple authentic Japanese life with nature far away from the modern cities in the world even though the island is accessible to the cities in 30-50min.
You will have the opportunity to learn about local Japanese lives and values. We can offer opportunities to communities with the locals at our cafe etc.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
Help
We look for someone a hard-worker, responsible, tidy and flexible.
- Housekeeping of our properties (mainly in the morning)
- Tidy up and water the gardens
- Help our cafe etc.
*We will pay hourly wage (1000 JPY) for your help on our business.
*Working Holiday Visa preferable.
*Housekeeping experience at accommodation preferable.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Accommodation
The second floor of the two-stories Japanese folk house located 5-min-walk from the main port and our property. Fully furnished.
What else ...
You can go to the beach ,museums including Teshima Art Museum, one of the best museum in the world, or another art islands.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wi-fi is available at our cafe
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
2-5 hours per day (not everyday and probably less than 20 hours per week)
