Artists to join creative art projects in Hagi, Japan

Details

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  Description

  🏡Welcome to our house: An Artist's Home in Historic Hagi! 🌿
  Hi there! I'm Toru Harada, your host in the beautiful, nature-rich city of Hagi, Yamaguchi. I deeply value a life centered around cultural exchange and strong community ties, specifically within the artistic community.
  
  This is my home and atelier, a space where artists from Japan and around the world can share ideas and experiences. I moved to Hagi from Shanghai in 2020, and I'm passionate about fostering international exchange through art and culture in rural Japan, which faces challenges like an aging population and vacant homes.
  
  I balance my art practice with part-time and remote work, and spend several days a week with my 3-year-old daughter. We're steadily improving the house and studio. I hope that as fellow artists and volunteers, you'll experience life here, learn from each other, and help cultivate a rich, creative atmosphere where "life" and "expression" naturally intersect.
  
  I balance my art practice with part-time and remote work, and spend several days a week with my 3-year-old daughter.
  We're steadily improving the house and studio. I hope that as volunteers, you'll experience life here, learn from each other, and help cultivate a rich, creative atmosphere where "life" and "expression" naturally intersect.
  
  🎨 Volunteer Tasks & Cultural Exchange
  I'm looking for proactive volunteers who are artists themselves, interested in creative improvements and genuine cultural exchange, rather than just general chores. Your contributions will help create a comfortable and inspiring environment.
  
  Key activities include:
  For your contributions, you'll be involved in creative space enhancement through projects like light DIY, painting, wood projects, and upcycling. We'll actively exchange ideas and skills, working together to make our shared living and studio areas truly comfortable and inspiring.
  
  Why volunteer here?
  Rural Japan, especially in areas like Hagi, faces challenges like population decline and an increasing number of vacant homes. My goal is to share my knowledge of Japanese culture, its current situation, and the Hagi region, while learning from your unique experiences and perspectives. We'll interact regularly during tasks and beyond, ensuring a rich cultural exchange.
  
  I have a rental house/room at the next house, but workawayers will not be helping with any business activities, and the cleaning help is only for my private home and not for the accommodation business.
  
  🚌Access Information
  ・From Shin-Yamaguchi Station: Take a train to Higashi-Hagi Station or a bus to Hagi Bus Center.
  Bus: From Hagi Bus Center, 1.6km walk. / Train: From Higashi-Hagi Station: 2.2km walk.
  * I can pick you up from either station if the weather is bad or as needed.
  
  🛜Sorry..I don't have dedicated Wi-Fi yet, but I can share my iPhone's tethering for your internet needs.
  If you require more intensive online access, there are convenient free Wi-Fi spots nearby at the library and local cafes.
  
  * Due to recent price increases for food and utilities, and as I support this project with my part-time income, the house facilities aren't fully complete yet, but I'm working to improve them little by little.
  
  Stay Duration & How to Apply 🗓️
  To Apply: Please highlight your artistic background and how you envision contributing to a creative, community-focused environment."
  
  【A Note from Host】
  Thanks so much for your interest!
  I want to be upfront: I have ADHD. This means I sometimes find scheduling and organizing tasks difficult, and it can occasionally take me a little longer to reply. But I will always get back to you as soon as possible. I truly believe that meeting artists and sharing ideas will foster mutual learning and growth for all of us.
  Thank you,

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Water sports

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Carpentry

  

  Languages

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Art & design

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Hiking

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Camping

  

  Adventure sports
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Visitors can learn and experience the local landscape and lifestyle of Japan, as well as the history of Hagi City.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Creative Space Enhancement: We'll work together on DIY projects, painting, wood projects, and upcycling to improve.
  Collaborative Art & Food Culture, language Exchange, etc

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Japanese: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  Chinese (Mandarin): Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  ・Accommodation: You'll have a private Tatami room and bed (Japanese style)
  ・Facilities: air conditioning, a heater, an electric kitchen, a flush toilet, and a shower room.
  ・Food: We'll share all food costs equally.
  Let's cook together sometimes, I'd like to learn about each other's food cultures through delicious meals.
  Supermarkets are also conveniently located within walking or biking distance.

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  What else ...

  Hagi offers a wonderful blend of history and nature for you to explore during your time off. You can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings with activities like fishing, hiking, and strolls along the coast or through the mountains.
  
  Delve into Hagi's rich past by visiting its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wandering through the remarkably preserved samurai and merchant districts, exploring traditional temples, or discovering local museums. You might also enjoy experiencing Hagi-yaki pottery workshops or exploring local craft shops.
  
  For getting around, many sights are easily accessible by walking or cycling, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Local buses are also available for longer distances within the city. If you're interested, I'd happily guide you to local attractions and share tips for exploring the area.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Have a car parking space.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Yes, if not a Big animal.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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