Tamashima and Shimotsui have facilities called trial housing that can be used by people from outside the prefecture who are considering moving.
The trial housing in Shimotsui is called Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing and was created by renovating an old house of a beloved local tofu shop. It is used by many people as a facility where they can experience real life, such as living near the sea and warm interactions with local residents.
On December 17, 2024, an open house event was held to let local people know about the trial housing, and I participated as a staff member on that day.
What kind of impressions do local people have about a facility aimed at people from outside the prefecture? I will introduce the content of the facility along with the atmosphere of the open house on that day.
About the Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing Open House
The Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing Open House was held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
This event was organized by the Shimotsui Sea Village Project, which is engaged in regional promotion and town revitalization projects in Shimotsui.
The Shimotsui Sea Village Project was formed by three volunteers from Shimotsui and Kojima and started in 2017. They continue to work on regional revitalization and migration support initiatives in Shimotsui, and the current number of volunteer members has exceeded 40.
The main projects are as follows:
- Town revitalization projects... Planning and managing events to liven up the town of Shimotsui and activities to revitalize the area through attracting stores and businesses.
- Renovation of old houses and utilization of vacant houses... Revitalizing and utilizing old houses and vacant houses for the community and connecting them with interested parties.
- Operation of "trial housing"... Managing and operating the "Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing" accommodation facility for those wishing to migrate in collaboration with Kurashiki City. Activities to promote migration, such as consultation desks.
What is Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing?
Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing is available for people from outside the prefecture who are considering moving to Kurashiki City. It is a two-story building that can accommodate up to two groups simultaneously on each floor.
The stay period is from 2 nights to a maximum of 14 days, and the usage fee is 1,000 yen (tax included) per night. *This is a service fee for bicycles, etc.
It is a wallet-friendly price even for long stays.
For stays starting from April 1, 2025, the fee will be 2,000 yen (tax included) per room per night.
When staying, participation in experience programs to learn more about Shimotsui is also required. You can participate in one of five experience programs, such as "Migration Exchange Meeting" where you can talk with senior migrants, and "Shimotsui Town Walk" where you can learn about the history and culture of Shimotsui.
For details about the facility and usage conditions, please check the special site.
Atmosphere of the Open House
On the day of the event, CALMA COFFE ROASTERS was brewing coffee in front of the trial housing.
The pleasant aroma of coffee wafted down the street, and local people passing by on their walks stopped by, asking, "What's going on today?"
This was my first time seeing the Setouchi Kominka Trial Housing. I toured the inside while mingling with local people.
Tour of the Trial Housing
First, I entered through the entrance on the right side of the front and headed to the second-floor room.
As soon as I climbed the stairs, a Japanese-style room spread out before me.
The Japanese-style room is about 6 tatami mats in size. Sunlight streams in through a small window, allowing you to feel the nostalgic atmosphere unique to old houses.
The roof was supported by impressive beams that had a strong presence. The wooden pillars, which are rarely seen, made me want to observe them closely.
The kitchen was equipped with a washing machine, rice cooker, and microwave, which are great facilities for long stays. Dishes and detergent are also provided. Since there is Shimotsui Fishing Port near the trial housing, it seems fun to get fresh seafood and cook it.
I also peeked into the water facilities that I was curious about. The shower room and toilet are clean and comfortable to use. The first-floor bathroom is said to have a bathtub as well.
On the table in the Japanese-style room, there was a list introducing local restaurants and supermarkets. This was created by members of the Shimotsui Sea Village Project and features recommended shops selected from the perspective of migrants.
Additionally, there was a handmade map of Shimotsui's attractions created by students from Kurashiki Sakuyo University. This is a special hospitality unique to the trial housing.
Next, we will tour the first floor rooms.
There is not a significant difference in facilities between the first and second floors, but on the day of the open house, the Japanese-style room on the first floor also served as the reception area. Many impressions from people who actually used the trial housing are also on display.
Reading the users' impressions, many were captivated by the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea or moved by the warmth of the people in Shimotsui. The charm of Shimotsui from the perspective of people from outside the prefecture. There may also be fresh surprises for local residents.
In the dining kitchen, there were photos from before the renovation of the trial housing.
It is clear that the Japanese-style room on the second floor, which we saw earlier, has been renovated while retaining its old charm. I was able to feel the warmth of the wood unique to wooden buildings and the nostalgia of a place where people have lived for many years.
I also visited the courtyard. It seems that it usually serves as a bicycle parking area for rental bicycles available to users.
For this event, photos from the immigrant exchange meeting were displayed.
The immigrant exchange meeting is one of the experience programs for trial housing, and it is held when users wish for it. People who have actually moved to Kurashiki, centered around Shimotsui, gather to share real stories about moving while having dinner together.
All the photos exude a very friendly atmosphere, filled with the smiles of the participants.
In fact, I was also invited to this immigrant exchange meeting in the past. At that time, I was asked about work-related matters and the living conditions in Kurashiki by users in their 20s and 30s. I think it was a good opportunity to reflect on "why I chose Kurashiki."
The information users want to know varies depending on their age and family structure.
For example, if a user with children wants to know about the child-rearing environment in Shimotsui, an immigrant who is actually raising children conveyed the atmosphere of the school. It seems that a wide range of ages participate on the immigrant side to provide more realistic information.
Reactions of Local Residents Who Visited the Open House
About 40 people, mainly residents of Shimotsui, visited the open house. There were various reasons for attending, such as people who came after seeing flyers, those who were called over by staff while passing by, and tourists from outside the prefecture who visited while sightseeing.
A local person who said, "I was always curious when passing by," was surprised to see the interior and exclaimed, "It was this beautiful."
Some visitors mistook the beautiful exterior for a ryokan (traditional inn), and many learned for the first time during this open house that it is a facility for migration support.
I thought it was a good opportunity to convey how the renovated building is being utilized in the community.
During the open house, the trial housing also served as a place for local residents to interact. While enjoying coffee and snacks provided as a thank you for the surveys, I overheard voices saying, "This is a wonderful initiative," which made me, as a helper, feel happy.
At one point, a local person called out to an acquaintance passing by. Although it was held on a weekday, so there were fewer people, it felt like most of those who passed by stopped to take a look.
The trial housing, which was once a beloved local tofu shop called "Watanabe Tofu Shop," saw visitors who had connections to Watanabe Tofu Shop, and I was able to hear nostalgic stories. It was a moment to feel the warm atmosphere of old Shimotsui.
Mini Interview with the Organizers
Please tell us about the purpose of this event.
Sugano
The users of the trial housing are from outside the prefecture, so until now, we have been disseminating information mainly to urban areas outside the prefecture.
However, while talking with people in the prefecture, I realized that the awareness of the trial housing is low, and I thought it was necessary for local people to know about it in the first place, so I planned this event.
For example, when tourists visiting for travel are introduced by shopkeepers, "There is such a facility," it may lead to people using the trial housing.
Also, when local people talk with users, having a common topic like "Oh, you're staying there" can make it easier to interact. For users, interacting with local people is a memorable and special experience. I thought we should start by making local people aware of the existence of the trial housing, and that is why I planned the open house.
How was the response from local people after holding the open house?
Fukukawa
I was surprised by the warm reactions, which were beyond my expectations.
Many members of the Shimotsui Sea Village Project are immigrants, and I was curious about how local people feel about the efforts to utilize local assets. However, I am relieved that more people accepted it than I expected.
Nakatomii
I was pleased to find that more people than expected knew about the existence of the trial housing, and some had been keeping an eye on the facility for a long time. I was grateful that local grandparents came to visit after seeing the flyers.
Sugano
What left the biggest impression on me was that the shops and business owners in Shimotsui were very cooperative.
This time, we presented a sticker saying "Shimotsui Supporters" to the shops that are helping to promote Shimotsui together with us as certified shops. All the shops we asked for cooperation as certified shops gladly accepted it, and we received words welcoming the users of the trial housing, which made me reaffirm that Shimotsui is a warm town.
What kind of community do you hope Shimotsui will be in the future?
Sugano
I think it will become an even more interesting town. We are at a time when various things are just starting, with an increase in newcomers and the gradual establishment of restaurants and accommodations. I want to continue creating a cycle that energizes the community by increasing the number of people visiting Shimotsui.
Nakatomi
Shimotsui is a historical tourist destination, yet it is still a town where daily life continues. I feel that it is a bit different for it to just become a convenient town.
Rather than just having convenient convenience stores and supermarkets, I hope it becomes a place where people who want to try something gather, a fun place. I would like to see each vacant house utilized to create a region where interesting people and things come together.
Fukukawa
As part of the Shimotsui Sea Village Project, I want to continue conveying the charm of Shimotsui while collaborating with the local people. Opportunities to cooperate with local organizations are gradually increasing, so I will work hard to involve the entire community in our activities.
Conclusion
The open house for the Setouchi trial housing was held in a calm atmosphere.
I participated as a staff member assisting, and I felt I was able to touch a bit of the warmth of the people of Shimotsui, as they taught me about the old days of Shimotsui and said, "Thank you for your hard work in the cold."
The trial housing is an important base that connects those wishing to relocate with the community. I believe that when local people take an interest in and understand town revitalization, it can provide an even richer experience for users.
To achieve this, I felt that initiatives to inform the local people, like this open house, are extremely important.
I want to continue supporting the activities of the Shimotsui Sea Village Project in the future.
Data on the Setouchi Trial Housing Open House
| Name | Setouchi Trial Housing Open House |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, December 17, 2024 From 10 AM to 3 PM |
| Location | 1-8-6 Shimotsui, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Website | Shimotsui Sea Village Project |
