Japan's social welfare faces significant challenges, including an aging population and increasing needs for support for people with disabilities, alongside labor shortages and funding issues. In the field of disability welfare, efforts are expanding in areas such as employment support, daily life assistance, and participation in community activities, but places where everyone can live safely and authentically are still not sufficiently established.
“I want to live authentically” “I want to be of help to someone”
Such wishes are held regardless of whether one has a disability or not. However, people with disabilities often have limited places to work or belong, and many experience anxiety and loneliness.
Facing these kinds of “Why is that!?” challenges is “nuca Co., Ltd.,” based in Hayashima Town, Okayama Prefecture.
The representative, Nakano Atsushi, continues to work on initiatives that perceive the individuality of people with disabilities not as “troubles” but as “interesting aspects” and transform them into new values.
What is Nuca Co., Ltd.
Nuca Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Nuca”) is a unique welfare provider that integrates welfare and art. The company name is derived from the “nuka-doko” (rice bran bed) used in pickling, embodying the idea that new values are born when perspectives are slightly changed.
As of 2025, “Nuca” operates the following four businesses.
- Living Care Office Nuka Tsukurutoko (established in 2013)
A place for adults to spend their daytime. It values time spent facing oneself and peers, accepting both challenges and failures. - Atelier Nukagokko (established in 2018)
An after-school day service for elementary to high school students. It is a space for free expression that values thinking about play through crafts, enjoying conversations, and sometimes cherishing “doing nothing.” - Consultation Support Office Chinu (established in 2023)
A consultation window for utilizing welfare services. Like the sea bream (Chinu) that connects people and communities, it plays a role in linking individuals. - Employment Continuation Support Type B Office Hyonn (established in 2024)
A place to connect with the community through work and creative activities. It expands new connections while enjoying unexpected encounters and chance events as “hyonn things.”
New values born from “Why is that!?”
In the field of welfare, the unique preferences and habits of users are often treated as “troubles.”
However, Mr. Nakano refers to users as “nukabito” and approaches them with the attitude of asking, “Why is that?” From this perspective, unexpected interesting aspects and new values emerge.
Nukabito
Refers to those who utilize the facility.
It carries the meaning of respecting their individuality and personality, rather than simply calling them “users.” The little “quirks” and “preferences” are accepted as part of their uniqueness, which is the style of “Nuca.”
“Rather than fixing troubles, I believe we can enjoy them together as part of who they are. I think that’s how a new form of welfare can spread,” says Mr. Nakano.
“Hyonn” born from a chance encounter
Among the businesses conducted by “Nuca,” this article focuses on the Employment Continuation Support Type B Office “Hyonn,” which started in Kurashiki City in 2024.
“Hyonn” is a place where the warmth of a traditional house meets unique ideas. Users work authentically and create new values while connecting with the community.
A chance meeting with a building
The office of “Hyonn” is located in Nishi-Achi, Kurashiki City.
As you step into the residential area across from Henjo-in, a modest sign catches your eye among the traditional houses.
The encounter with this building was truly coincidental. The originally planned location became unavailable, and this traditional house was found during the search.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that this building was originally used by Takashi Nagase, who expanded social activities in Okayama after the war, and Mr. Nakano expressed, “I felt a connection and a sense of mission to inherit it.”
This sentiment naturally connects to activities that link welfare, expression, and the community, and continues to expand.
Four corners that shape “Hyonn”
At “Hyonn,” activities are developed so that users (those with disabilities or serious illnesses who find it difficult to work in general companies) can work comfortably and enjoyably, and there are four main types of corners inside.
Purchases of products and meals can be paid for using cash or cashless methods such as credit cards.
- Sales corner
- Dining corner
- Exhibition room
- Why is that Museum
Sales corner
The sales corner features handmade products by “nukabito,” as well as seasonings, food, and books. Each item reflects the individuality and uniqueness of the person who created it.
Dining Corner
The dining corner is a relaxing space themed around "fermentation," featuring "Hyonn's Wappa Bento" and seasonal drinks and sweet treats.
Exhibition Room
The exhibition room features the following:
- Exhibit Corner
Works provided by cooperating organizations from across the country are displayed and sold by theme. - Craft Corner
A space where users can freely enjoy creating. It is a place to spend time that resonates with the heart.
At the back of the exhibition room, there is a workspace for the craft corner where users can freely enjoy making things.
During the interview, a first-year university student participating in an internship was having fun creating various shapes by tearing newspaper with users, enjoying "what they like."
The workspace is open for the general public to casually observe the users' activities. Here, the creation of "Nanchatte Hariko" is also taking place as one of the products, allowing visitors to enjoy the crafting scene up close.
There are freely available books on the shelves, making it a perfect spot for those who want to take a little break. For those with children, toys are also provided, creating a warm atmosphere filled with children's free ideas and laughter.
Nande Son'nan Museum
Additionally, there is an exhibition room called "Nande Son'nan Museum" in one corner of the main building, filled with humorous and mysterious works and words.
The "Nande Son'nan Museum" regularly exhibits unique and mysterious works. It is a place filled with fun where visitors can enjoy pondering, "What is this?"
For example, works with titles like the following are simple yet profound, prompting visitors to think, "What is this?"
- Lost in Adhesive - Reindictment
- Adults Don't Understand
- Free Up to 20,000
We spoke in detail about the welfare projects that Mr. Nakano is involved in and the efforts to perceive them as "interesting" and transform them into new value.
Data of Hyon, a Type B Continuation Support Facility of Nuca Co., Ltd.
| Name | Nuca Co., Ltd. Type B Continuation Support Facility Hyon |
|---|---|
| Address | 528 Nishi-Achi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-697-6609 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | Monday to Friday / First Saturday of every month 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Saturday, Sunday, irregular holidays First Monday of every month |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Hyon |
