A recent study tour brought us to Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi) and Kitakyushu (Fukuoka), located between Japanese main island of Honshu and Kyushu, the third largest of the main islands. Starting to discover different revitalization processes in urban Mojiko, Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu (including the very interesting Toto Museum), we further discovered more local areas as the remote island of Tsunoshima (known for its colbalt blue water) and Kawatana Onsen town, kown for Kawatana Soba and Kengo Kuma small exhibition centre.
The next day we discovered Kiwanosato (Kutsuwai, Shimonoseki), a small village which tries to bring back (new) life into the community with the help of creative, local ideas and international collaborations. In comparison, Onoda village, well known for its cement and brickstone production, surprised with a very well maintained, rural development at the seaside, known as Kirarara Yakeno Beach. Almost 20 years ago Kengo Kuma was involved in the development and the area is now featuring a small glass museum/workshop and restaurant with stunning setting, especially during sunrise and sunset.
The third and final day brought us to the outskirts of Fukuyama where the the remote, yet tranquil Shinsoji Zen Garden and Museum complex first ask wellknown architect and historian Terunobu Fujimori to built a central building in 2014. In 2016, artist Kohei Nawa developed together with Sandwich Architects a floating, almost spaceship-like building which features inside an impressive Zen installation. As the bathhouse and several cafes where closed, it will be for sure not the last visit to this beautiful spot in West Japan.