In the island town of
Makers Island Connection
Create, Connect, and Share Stories.
A creative residency program of an island town in Seto Inland Sea of Japan.
Stay
We invite you to slow down with the island’s gentle rhythm and spend time in quiet dialogue with your own creative work.
Make
Immerse yourself in the creative process amidst the gentle rhythm of the waves, the songs of birds and the abundant light of island life.
Share
Participants are invited to share their work to connect with the local community and audiences beyond.
Makers Island Connection (mic) is a program that brings people together by making things.
The program provides time and space for participants to develop their own projects while enjoying the slow-paced, authentic island life of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan.
Life on the island comes with just a healthy amount of inconvenience, a gentle reminder to slow down, helping to nurture creativity and keep your artistic motivation alive.
We are based in Kamijima Town, Ehime, a town made up of many small islands.
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for anyone who love making things!
◯ Creators and craftspeople
looking for time and space in a supportive environment to pursue their ideas and work.
◯ Educators, Instructors and Organizers
seeking a place and content for organizing a summer camp, creative retreat or team building.
◯ Anyone wants to bring their ideas to life
This program is not limited to the artists or creators. We’re happy to welcome anyone who wants dedicated time and space to work on both tangible and intangible ideas.
It is for those who wish to step away from fast-paced urban life and devote themselves to creative work in a singular setting.
What does the program support?
We provide an environment where participants can focus on their creative work, along with the experience of island life.
Space
The program provide a place for:
・accommodation and workspace
・sharing creative work
Experience
Experience the unique lifestyle of Japan’s remote islands and connect with local people, activities, and community life.
Creative Process
If your project requires extra help, we'll do our best to support you.
How does the program work?
This is a paid program offering immersive stays of one to three months.
What a month in the program looks like?
A welcome gathering
Upon arrival, participants will be introduced to the area and have time to get to know each other.
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Shopping for groceries and materials
Please note that there isn’t an art supply store nearby. If you need any specific materials, please contact us in advance.
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Creative Freedom
The majority of the residency is self-directed time, during which participants focus on their creative practice while enjoying the island life. Participants are free to use their time as they wish. Bicycles are provided for exploring and getting around the islands.
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Sharing
At the end, participants present their work they created during their stay, connecting with the local audience and beyond.
*The program is currently in a trial period. Please contact us for details.
The fees:
*currently in trial period
120,000JPY (month/person)
*All utilities included.
The length of stay:
1, 2, maximum 3 months
The requirement:
A brief profile, portfolio and project proposal during your stay
Make It Together.
We wish to grow alongside diverse participants through the act of making together.
To welcome those with a passion for making things, we started by building the space with our own hands.
We are really looking forward to meeting people who believe in “connecting through creating” gathering in this place and enjoying the process of shaping this program together.
FAQ
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A long-term stay program that supports creative practices and offers to experience the island life of Japan.
In a supportive environment, participants are free to pursue their creative work.
It combines elements of an artist-in-residence, workation, and retreat. This is a paid program.
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Private rooms for accommodation and a workspace are provided. Exhibitions and presentations of the works will be held at facilities on the island.
The accommodation is fully furnished and equipped with daily necessities. All utility costs are included.
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This program is primarily intended for individuals or a group of two. If you wish to participate with three or more people, or includes children, please contact us in advance.
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Participants are responsible for bringing the art supplies and tools required for their own projects. For international participants who need to purchase items in Japan in advance, we can assist with purchasing. There will also be an opportunity to visit the nearest home improvement store after arrival, where limited art materials and tools are available. Please note that not all items can be found locally, so please contact us in advance to confirm any essential materials.
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Participants are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, doing their laundry, and preparing their own meals during the program. Please note that we do not provide guesthouse style services such as regular linen or towel changes. Basic daily necessities including bedding, towels, soap, and shampoo are provided. Spare items are also available, so participants should have everything they need for a comfortable stay.
There are a few supermarkets and restaurants within walking or cycling distance. However, dining options are very limited, so participants are generally expected to cook for themselves. A kitchen is available at every accommodations. The accommodation is also equipped with a washing machine.
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Each participant will be provided with one bicycle (non-electric). For shopping and getting around the island, cycling is the recommended way!
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This program takes place on a remote island in the Seto Inland Sea, located between Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures. Nearby are the islands of the Shimanami Kaido, a well-known cycling route.
This is geographically unique islands. A town is made up of 25 small islands, 7 of which are inhabited. Among them, 4 islands form a cluster of island communities connected by three bridges. There are several ways to access the island, but all routes require a ferry for the final leg. When traveling by car or bus, the shortest ferry ride takes approximately three minutes. The route via Shinkansen (a bullet train) to Mihara station and a ferry ride (40minutes) directly to our island might be the easiest access from the major cities. Please refer to the “access” for details.
Climate
Apr, May, Oct, and Nov are the most comfortable months. The rainy season runs from Jun to early Jul, while Aug and Sep can be very hot. From Dec through Mar, the weather tends to be cold and windy. The area is known for its seasonal fish (available year-round) and citrus fruits, especially from Dec to Feb. You can also enjoy cooking with fish you catch yourself or locally harvested citrus or vegetables. -
Please go to our access page.
Nearest Airport:
Hiroshima Airport (HIJ)HIJ →(bus/40m)→ Mihara station → (ferry/40m) → Tateishi Port (our island)
*the schedule of bus and ferry is limited. Please contact us if you plan this route.From cities nearby:
(train) → Mihara station → (ferry/40m) → Tateishi Port (our island)(train) → Fukuyama station or Onomichi station → (bus) → Nagasaki sanbashi → (ferry/3m) → Tateishi Port (our island)
From Imabari city:
(Ferry/50m) → Yuge Port (our island)By car or bicycle:
(Car) → Nagasaki sanbashi → (car ferry/3m) → Tateishi Port (our island)m=munite