Hijinowa

Hijinowa (ヒジノワ) is a volunteer-run community group and cafe/space located in the old town area of Mashiko, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It originated from the 2009 regional art event "Earth Art Festa Hijisai" (土祭), which was held in Mashiko. For the event, a century-old vacant traditional house was renovated by artists, town hall staff, and residents into a contemporary art exhibition venue. After the event ended, volunteers who had been involved in the renovation decided it would be a waste to let the building become vacant again, and founded "Hijinowa" as a community hub. Since July 10, 2010, it has operated as "Hijinowa cafe&space," run entirely by volunteers without any subsidies or grants from the local government or other public bodies. Revenue from cafe vendor sales commissions and space rental fees covers rent to the building owner, parking fees, and utilities. The space serves as a venue for exhibitions, live performances, workshops, study sessions, film screenings, lectures, cooking classes, and coworking. In 2018, the second floor was renovated into two shared office units, and the first floor was soundproofed and equipped with coworking functions, allowing for nomadic work. Hijinowa aims to be a base for sustainable community development, regional exchange, and solving local and social issues. It has also engaged in international exchange, signing a private sister-city agreement with Daxi District in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, in November 2022, and hosting art events. The building, over 100 years old, has suffered wear and tear, including major roof leaks in 2021, leading to a partial increase in usage fees from April 2022 to cover repairs. Hijinowa continues to be a beloved "ibasho" (place of belonging) for people of various ages and professions, from ceramic artists and craftspeople to farmers, public servants, and programmers.

Hijinowa was born from the 2009 art event "Earth Art Festa Hijisai" (土祭) held in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. For the event, a century-old vacant traditional house in the old town area was renovated by a volunteer team including exhibiting artists, town hall staff, and local residents, creating a contemporary art exhibition venue. After the event, the volunteers who had participated in the renovation felt it would be a waste to let the building become vacant again and founded "Hijinowa" as a community hub. They began operating "Hijinowa cafe&space" on July 10, 2010, run entirely by volunteers without any public subsidies. The operation is funded by commissions from cafe vendors and space rental fees, which cover rent to the building owner, parking, and utilities. Over the years, Hijinowa has hosted a wide range of activities: community cafe days with rotating volunteer shopkeepers, markets selling organic vegetables from around Mashiko, flea markets, gallery exhibitions, live music, film screenings, workshops, and more. It has also served as a main venue for subsequent "Hijisai" events held in 2012 and later. In 2018, the building underwent renovation: the second floor, previously used as storage, was converted into two shared office units, and the first floor was soundproofed and equipped with coworking functions, allowing for nomadic work. This was part of a project to create further community expansion through coworking spaces. The renovation aimed to foster synergies for individual small businesses and regional revitalization by expanding opportunities for idea and information exchange among cafe users, members, share office tenants, and coworking users. In November 2022, Hijinowa signed a private sister-city agreement with Daxi District in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, an area known for woodworking and craft-based regional revitalization, and has since held art events and exchange programs such as FRIENDSHIP CRAFT WEEK. The building, over 100 years old, has suffered significant wear from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and increasingly severe weather. In the summer of 2021, a major roof leak occurred, and after inspection by a carpenter, it was determined that roof repairs were necessary and costly. As a result, from April 2022, usage fees for some spaces were increased to help cover repair costs. Despite these challenges, Hijinowa continues to be a beloved community hub, described by users as a "place of belonging" that transcends age and profession.

• Earth Art Festa Hijisai held in Mashiko; a century-old vacant house is renovated into an art venue.

• Volunteers involved in the renovation found the community group Hijinowa.

• Hijinowa cafe&space begins operation.

• The building withstands the Great East Japan Earthquake, though wear increases.

• Hijinowa becomes a main venue for subsequent Hijisai events.

• Renovation: second floor converted to shared offices, first floor to coworking space.

• Otsuka becomes co-representative.

• Major roof leak occurs during summer torrential rain.

• Usage fees for some spaces increased to cover roof repair costs.

• Private sister-city agreement signed with Daxi District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

• FRIENDSHIP CRAFT WEEK held; limited-time store opens.

地域コミュニティとアート・工芸・農業をつなぐ、有志ボランティア運営の非営利コミュニティカフェ＆スペース。

• Community cafe

  A cafe operated by rotating volunteer shopkeepers.

• Gallery/exhibition space

  Space for solo and group exhibitions, live performances, and more.

• Coworking space

  First-floor coworking area added in 2018.

• Shared offices

  Two shared office units on the second floor, renovated in 2018.

• Market/flea market

  Markets selling organic vegetables from around Mashiko and flea markets.

• Workshops and events

  Workshops, study sessions, film screenings, lectures, cooking classes, etc.

• Regional exchange projects

  Exchange programs with other regions, including Daxi, Taiwan.

1. 1ヒジノワ cafe&spacehijinowa.net
2. 2ヒジノワとは – ヒジノワ cafe&spacehijinowa.net
3. 3ヒジノワの運営について – ヒジノワ cafe&spacehijinowa.net
4. 4Hijinowa - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5ヒジノワ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org