Atelier where you can stay, STAYBLE ATELIER

Concept Tagline

The meaning of “Atelier” according to Waon contains more than just an “Artist’s Workshop”.
For example, you can uncover a hidden talent through a creative process. Which gives you a combined value of recovering your identity and enhancing your senses.

Atelier doesn’t refer to Waon only, we like to think of the Kawashima region where Waon is located as an atelier created by the rich surrounding nature.
By placing yourself in the atelier of nature, you unlock your senses and encounter the essence that is yourself. That way, Waon is not the focus anymore, but a medium to relax your senses, think of it as a place that provides a “rejuvenation for your senses” that can transform you back into your true self.
We would like to propose to you “Atelier where you can stay/STAYBLE ATELIER”.

What is Waon’s Uniqueness?

Copywriter Kota Kitano

This is a question that I’ve always asked when interviewing Waon’s owner Mikako, manager Tomomi and other people affiliated with Waon. One hypothesis in response to that question became the basis for this concept.

“You can draw anything” There are no constraints within Waon. Only freedom, peace and scope. A community art renovation event was held before the opening of Waon, where participants had the freedom to paint and colour the walls and ceilings as they pleased. The interior may never have a stylish finish, but, Waon brings a dynamic and lively sense of movement and conveys the warmth of human touch which inspires a sense of security for its visitors.

Even now, after the opening of the guest house, that freedom is still alive.
We welcomed people who travelled to Japan from Hong Kong as if they were family members. While initially a guest house, Waon also started functioning as a shared house and the identity of the place gradually adapted to that new role. We feel that this is a distinctive feature of Waon.
This characteristic of Waon is reflected for example in Mikako’s big-hearted nature and unrestrained generosity, and Daigo’s pure and unbound spirit. And Tomomi’s flexibility and open mindedness. All these qualities are nurtured by the residents of Waon.

Another interesting charachteristic was that the talents of Waon’s residents continued to blossom.

After moving to this area, Daigo and Mikako’s talent for painting blossomed further and their work became popular. They received various awards both in Japan and abroad. Mikako won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for her Washi (Japanese Paper) Art that she drew after moving to Tatsuno!

Tomomi further improved her skill for growing vegetables and preparing miso paste. She has also taken on the challenge of managing the guest house which was something she always wanted to do.

Resident artist Kousuke started hosting “Sake and Fish Society” based on his previous love for Japanese Sake and fish. He seems to have found a new vocation as a pen character artist making good use of his pen skills.

“I don’t know what I like”, “I would like to make use of my strengths and talents”. There are many people in the world who wish to do so. There are countless books in the bookstore with titles such as “How to find your dream job”. But there aren’t many people who can achieve that. So how did the residents of Waon manage to find what they liked and what they’re passionate about?
The conclusion I’ve reached after experiencing life in Waon and listening to various stories from the residents here can be stated simply “Do what you love, and you will find your passion”.
We live in a world where we’re constantly feeling the pressure to pursue certain goals like getting a good education, having a good job, earning money and getting married, that we forget our inner values.

There must be a precious and gentle atmosphere in Waon that frees you from what “must be done” and encourages you to “Do what you love”.
With that in mind, I tried to set this concept. I hope that Waon will be a place where people can realize their full potential and where their talent can blossom.