Artist Residency in Rural Japan

Join us for the AKIYA AIR Programme 2024, an immersive three-month residency from October to December 2024, open to Dutch artists, designers, and researchers.

Set in the beautiful town of Yunotsu, Japan, this programme transforms vacant houses (Akiya)—a significant societal issue in rural areas—into creative havens. Participants will have the unique opportunity to live in Akiya, experience rural living, and explore diverse creative endeavours while contributing to the revitalisation of Yunotsu.

Yunotsu features stunning natural beauty, rich traditional culture and history, and a dedicated team led by Shinya Kobayashi of MUJUN, who are working to rejuvenate Yunotsu by building a new, open community with the dream of hosting an Art & Craft Festival in 2027.

Apply now to join this inspiring programme that breathes new life into Yunotsu.

This programme is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan.

ーAKIYAー

Living and workspace

Participants will reside in an Akiyaーa vacant houseーprovided by Shinya Kobayashi, co-founder of the programme. This traditional Japanese-style house is located approximately five minutes by car from the centre of Yunotsu, surrounded by lush nature, fields and mountains, offering both living quarters and studio space for artists. 

The house is equipped with amenities including a shared kitchen, bath, and toilet, with internet access available. Living and studio spaces feature traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats. Additionally, artists have the option to utilise Kobayashi's woodworking studio in the mountains for their creative work, if needed. 

Programme Overview

Orientation

Participants will begin with a tour of Yunotsu and nearby studios, including a visit to Kobayashi's woodworking studio. They will also be introduced to the Akiya, which will serve as the artists’ residence and studio.

Presentation

Meet local community members and the artist support team to discuss goals, interests, and expectations for their stay.

Research & Studio Visits

Independently explore local studios and visit Iwami Ginzan for community and nature research, where participants will conceptualise a theme and initiate the creative process.

Regular Meetings

Regular meetings will be scheduled with the AIR office (Kobayashi, MONO JAPAN Foundation, artist support team) to discuss daily life and production.

Final Presentation

Conclude the programme with a mandatory presentation or exhibition to showcase the participant’s creative achievements.

Resources and Facilities

From Satoyama

Rocks, stones, soil, wood, bamboo, straw, iron (steel), and more.

Heavy Machinery

Excavators, forklifts, crane trucks, transport vehicles, light trucks, chain blocks, etc.

Workspace 1

100 square meters of concrete floor adjacent to the blacksmith forge.

Materials Available

From Akiya

Old household items and discarded materials.

Facilities Available at MUJUN Workshop Yunotsu

Blacksmith’s Workshop

Equipped with furnace, spring hammer, press, and hardening furnace.

Workspace 2

Several rooms with tatami flooring in an old farmhouse.

Beach Debris

From large debris, referred to as ‘continental debris’ to smaller items.

Carpentry Workshop

Equipped with sawing machines, automatic planer, planer, table saw, drying machine, chainsaw, general tools, and blades.

Workspace 3

Abandoned farmland and mountain forest covering 170,000 square metres on-site.

Possibilities at MUJUN Workshop Yunotsu

Circular Craft Making in Satoyama

E.g.

  • Camping

  • Bonfires and hearth cooking

  • Mountain maintenance

    (wind and water flow management)

  • Timber processing

    (felling, transport, sawing, processing)

  • Bamboo cutting and processing.

  • Construction of mud walls using soil, straw, and bamboo

  • Charcoal production 

Sustainable Tool Making in Satoyama

E.g.

  • Collecting sand iron from beaches and rivers

  • Steelmaking from charcoal burning to steelmaking at the blacksmith’s workshop

  • Crafting tools and blades at the blacksmith’s workshop

  • Reprocessing old iron at the blacksmith’s workshop

  • Restoration of old tools

Relaxing Leisure Activities

E.g.

  • Hot springs, Kagura (traditional Shinto music and dance), and drinking sake.

  • Karaoke at Kirakuya or Tokitsufu

  • Zazen and shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) at a temple

  • Fasting and relaxation massages

  • Surfing in the Sea of Japan

  • Hiking on Mount Sanbe, followed by hot springs and Jingisukan (grilled lamb dish).

  • Fishing and snorkelling along sandy beaches

  • Various cafes and restaurants.

  • Watching the sunset on secluded beaches

Optional

Upon request and consultation with the local coordinator, residents can access the following services:

Cultural Exchange Support

Explore Yunotsu's rich food, nature, culture, and history, including its renowned ceramic tradition. With this support, participants will have the chance to engage in local activities, such as flower arranging and martial arts classes.

Additional Support

Tailored experiences such as:

  • Washi making at Ishikawa Washi Workshop.

  • Tour of the Paper Cloth Workshop

  • Visit to Iwami Ginzan Tile Workshop

  • Pottery Studio Workshop

  • Tour and hands-on experience at the Iwami Kagura Mask Workshop

  • Visit to Hirata Family Residence, including a tour of the Tatara furnace, local history, valuable housing, and natural farming

  • Rental car service

  • Tour of local sake brewery

  • Visit to local fermentation workshop