Akiya Collective
a non-profit organization and social R&D lab that renovates abandoned houses in Japan into creative residencies, installations, and experiments to advance well-being.
History
Akiya Collective was born out of a question:
What can we do to create human flourishing?
Explored 100+ akiyas
Hosted 3 pilot residencies across Japan, experimenting with communal living, creative cooking, connecting with local communities and partnering with local governments
Incorporated non-profit organization
Hosted 75+ volunteers on-site for build weeks
Engaged in structural renovations and community development, coordinating with local construction companies
Presented @ Minka Summit in April
Launched proto-residencies
Creating wisteria and EL wire art installation for Burning Japan 2024
"Up until 2021, I’d spent most of my adult life studying. It was only after I left my PhD program that I appreciated how hard it was to find meaningful communities outside of academia, so when I met Michelle in 2022—interviewing her about her art for a startup I worked for at the time—I felt a strong connection with her, and wanted to get involved in Akiya Collective. I helped out with social media posts and eventually flew out to Japan to hang out with Michelle and make art together! I most recently returned to Komoro in April 2025 for the Speculative Worlds residency. The vision of Akiya Collective is one that challenges the sterility modern life and work seek to impose—endorsing attachment over atomization, playfulness over productivity. It is that aspect of the project that resonates most strongly with me, and I’m excited to see quite how far we can go with it."
- Stephanie, journalist and student of life
Befriended community cats
Helped facilitate purchase of 3 new akiyas by community members*
* in less than 1 year after joining as stewards of our makerspace, residents have already started purchasing properties around us. A neighborhood is forming!
Currently, we have 5 houses under our care in Komoro by community stewards, and 5 satellite properties purchased by members in other regions.
"Having a dream of living in Japan wasn't quite enough as I had no idea how to make it a reality. I serendipitously found a random tweet from Michelle and ended up joining a summer and fall residency. I've learned enough about living in the countryside in Japan and the importance of community to decide that, yes, I *could* live here and enjoy my rural countryside life at the same time! We now own our own little home in Nagano :)
With a growing group of chill, artistic community members, living in a small town is incredibly enjoyable."
- Lim, satellite owner and volunteer
- Crafted a teahouse from locally sourced wood, designed a light and soundscape installation for the garden
- Prototyping with bamboo sourced from the backyard garden, did fiber arts using yarn and string to create plushies and clothing
- Held workshops on rural revitalization, sustainable living and what it means to build a community that thrives
We organized 15 community events, including trips to the local onsen, sakura walk, and picnics at the peak of cherry blossom season
Hosted a residency speculating rural futures
Welcomed ~30 international residents, and engaged ~20 locals.
"In 2023 I volunteered with Akiya Collective, trimming bushes in the makerspace garden while looking for a house of my own. Now I have my own project in Osaka, and I’m stuck — in the best possible way ^^ Having a collective with you while doing a project overseas is such a gift. Recommend!"
Jane, satellite Akiya owner and artist
Recruiting + fostering university exchange student programs
Roll out membership program, develop new satellite clusters of sister akiyas around japan, and host fellows for experimentation around hospitality infrastructure
"As part of my University course, I elected to do a placement year split between Akiya Collective and another project. These past 3 months working with the collective has given me some of the best memories yet. I’ve loved everything from the garden raves, to helping with setting up Akiyas, brainstorming research projects, and everything in between. Thank you so much to Michelle and everyone who contributes! It’s been amazing! Would 1 billion percent recommend anyone who’s interested in creative revitalization of Akiya and rural communities!!! :)"
Josh, Akiya Collective intern Fall-Winter 2025
Burning Japan 2025 Installation: liminal kimonos
Using sourced kimono from the makerspace, installed large multi-petal crepe paper flowers with LED bulbs and displayed kimono to light up a quiet space for people to rest
✧ Documenting and open sourcing information about akiya stewardship through our operational playbook
✧ Prototyping new cultural and educational experiments in perceptual architecture
✧ Caretaking the space and its living rhythm with locals
We will also expand our initiative by leasing an additional space nearby to host more residents in the future.
