Artists welcome to join creative art projects in Hagi, Japan

Infos

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  Description

  🏡 **Art, Everyday Life & Cultural Exchange in Hagi**
  
  Hi, I’m an artist living in the historic town of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
  
  After more than 10 years abroad, I returned to Japan. Through art, cultural exchange, and everyday life, I’m exploring ways to connect people in a region facing depopulation and an increasing number of vacant homes.
  
  🌏 **Art & Community**
  
  I see my life in this community as part of my art practice. Inspired by the idea of “social sculpture” — shaping society through how we live and interact — I’m interested in caring for local places, resources, and culture while welcoming different perspectives.
  
  For me, peacebuilding begins with everyday connections: cooking together, sharing stories, learning another language, and getting to know people whose lives differ from our own. I hope to make these exchanges part of everyday life, on a scale I can sustain.
  
  The house consists of two neighbouring houses where I used to live. I now welcome volunteer guests here, offering a place to stay and experience life in the local community. As the name suggests, it’s a place to learn and explore together, step by step.
  
  Activities at the house may include:
  
  - Cooking and sharing recipes
  - Gardening, weeding, and caring for plants
  - Light painting and decorating in safely accessible areas, without helping at height
  - Tidying and organizing shared spaces, tools, and materials
  - Other light, everyday tasks around the house and garden
  
  Activities do not include electrical tasks, major construction, paving, or terrace building.
  
  The studio
  
  I also run a studio, a shared creative space. Through studio exchanges, artists from Germany, China, Thailand, and elsewhere have spent time creating here, and I have stayed and worked in their studios too.
  
  These relationships are part of how I work as an artist: exchanging inspiration, developing friendships, and staying connected across borders. You don’t need to be an artist to join us — I’m curious about whatever skills, interests, and experiences you bring.
  
  🌱 **Sharing Daily Life**
  
  We’ll discuss activities based on your interests, experience, and what you feel comfortable doing. Sometimes we’ll do tasks together; at other times, I may be away, and you’ll carry on independently with light tasks we’ve agreed on beforehand.
  
  This stay suits independent people who enjoy starting the day in the morning and can prepare their own meals and look after their everyday needs. Being comfortable spending some time on your own is important too.
  
  I’d like to learn about your culture, language, and way of seeing things, while sharing my own experiences of art and life in Hagi. Let’s get to know the area and make some good memories together.
  
  📅 **When to Visit**
  
  I generally host from March to July and September to November. I’m away during August and December through February.
  
  It’s difficult for me to confirm plans six months ahead, so shorter-term enquiries are usually easier to arrange. Please check availability with me before making travel plans.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Enseignement

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien

  Aide informatique/internet

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Musique

  

  Jardinage

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Langues

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Art et design

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Randonnée

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Camping

  

  Sports d'aventure
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  🌏 **Cultural Exchange & Learning Together**
  
  Your stay is a chance to experience everyday life in Hagi, share your own culture, and learn through conversations, cooking, and hands-on activities.
  
  🎨 **Art & Creative Exchange**
  
  As an artist, I can share my creative practice and the ideas behind the house and the studio. We can exchange perspectives on art, community, and how existing places can take on new roles. If you have your own creative interests, I’d enjoy learning about them too — no art background is needed.
  
  🍳 **Food & Language**
  
  When I’m home, we can cook together and I can show you how I prepare simple Japanese meals. I’d love to learn recipes from your everyday life as well. Sharing meals is also a chance to practise languages and talk about our experiences, customs, and different ways of living.
  
  🌱 **Practical Skills**
  
  Through gardening, caring for plants, light painting, and looking after shared spaces, we can exchange practical knowledge. You might try something new or share a skill you already have. The activities will depend on the season and our interests.
  
  🏘️ **Life in Hagi**
  
  You can experience the daily rhythms of a small historic town, with time to explore its streets, coast, and surrounding countryside independently. When opportunities arise, I’d be happy to introduce you to neighbours and people I know. These informal encounters can offer different perspectives on life in the area.
  
  🤝 **What I Hope to Learn**
  
  I’m curious about your language, background, and approach to everyday life. Having lived abroad for over 10 years, I value the connections that grow from spending time with people from different places. I hope we can learn from each other about sharing a space, caring for a community, and making room for different ideas.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  Help here centres on cooking, gardening, light painting, and everyday care of the house and studio. We’ll agree on activities based on your interests, experience, and comfort level. No specialist skills are required.
  
  The house is a place to experience local life and learn together, step by step. Activities may include:
  
  - Cooking and sharing recipes from your country or everyday life
  - Gardening, weeding, and caring for plants
  - Light painting and decorating in safely accessible areas, without helping at height
  - Tidying and organizing shared spaces, tools, and materials
  - Other light, everyday tasks around the house and garden
  
  Electrical tasks, major construction, paving, and terrace building are not included. You won’t be asked to help with my accommodation business.
  
  The studio
  
  At my shared creative studio, you can help organize the space, tools, and materials. If you’re interested, we can also exchange creative ideas, make things together, or document our experiences through photos, sketches, or writing.
  
  🍳 **Everyday Life & Cultural Exchange**
  
  I’d enjoy learning what you like to cook and sharing simple Japanese home cooking with you. When opportunities arise, we can also spend time with neighbours and exchange stories about our cultures and everyday lives.
  
  Everyone takes care of their own daily needs and helps keep shared spaces clean. Please follow the household waste-sorting guidelines, which I’ll share when you arrive.
  
  🕒 **Hours & Doing Tasks Together**
  
  Help is around 3 hours a day, up to 15 hours a week. We’ll discuss the schedule together, leaving time for you to explore Hagi, relax, or pursue your own interests.
  
  Sometimes we’ll do tasks alongside each other and share skills. I won't always be present, so at other times you’ll need to be comfortable carrying out agreed light tasks independently. Please let me know if anything is unclear or beyond what you feel comfortable doing.
  
  Tools and materials needed for the agreed activities will be provided.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Japonais: Courant
  Anglais: Intermédiaire
  Chinois (mandarin): Intermédiaire

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
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  Hébergement

  🏡 Accommodation
  You’ll have a private room at the house, with bedding provided. There is a separate bathroom and toilet. Occasionally, another Workawayer may be staying at the same time if our dates overlap.
  I sometimes stay overnight at my nearby studio, so I won’t always be at the house. We’ll discuss arrangements before your arrival and respect each other’s privacy and personal time.
  Accommodation is provided free of charge.
  
  🍳 **Food & Daily Life**
  
  When I’m home, we can cook and eat together. I make simple Japanese home cooking, such as stir-fries, soups, and noodle dishes. I’d also enjoy trying your cooking and exchanging recipes.
  
  I provide basic ingredients such as noodles, pasta, and everyday vegetables, and you’re welcome to use what’s available. Cooking is something we share, so please be comfortable preparing meals yourself rather than expecting every meal to be made for you.
  
  When I’m away, please prepare your own meals. There’s a supermarket about 2 km away that you can reach by bicycle if you need additional ingredients. For special ingredients I don’t normally stock, please bring your own or discuss them with me beforehand.
  
  Please let me know about any dietary requirements or allergies before we confirm your stay so we can discuss what’s possible.
  
  We each take care of our everyday needs and share responsibility for keeping the kitchen and common areas clean. We’ll respect each other’s privacy and personal time, with clear communication about anything we need.

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  Autres infos...

  Hagi is a town where history and nature blend beautifully, perfect for exploring during your vacation.
  A large river flows in front of the houses, with shrines and fields nearby.
  Activities abound to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, such as strolling along the coast or through the mountains.
  
  You can deeply immerse yourself in Hagi's rich history by visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites, strolling through remarkably well-preserved samurai residences and merchant districts, exploring traditional temples, and discovering local museums. Visiting Hagi-yaki pottery workshops and browsing local craft shops is also highly recommended.
  
  For transportation, many attractions are easily accessible on foot or by bicycle, allowing you to soak up the local atmosphere while touring.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Have a car parking space.

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  Un

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