TENRI, Nara -- An accommodation-cum-art-studio has opened in front of Tenri Station in Tenri, Nara Pref. The Mori (no) Guest House -- which can accommodate artists at the invitation of the city government, allowing them to engage in creative activities -- is expected to serve as a hub for artists.
Local restaurant operator Kotobuki renovated the vacant building, which used to be a pachinko parlor, at a cost of about 57 million yen. The central government and city government footed 12.5 million yen each of the cost.
The first floor of the about 320-square-meter guesthouse houses an art studio equipped with digital machines, including a 3-D printer and laser cutter, in addition to a cafe and a space where events can be held.
The second floor, which is about 270 square meters, has seven rooms that can accommodate a total of 30 people, five dormitory rooms for four to six people per room and two twin-bed rooms.
About 2 kilometers southeast of the guesthouse, the construction of Ken Kokusai Geijutsuka Mura (prefectural international artist village, tentative name) has begun. The prefectural government is aiming to open the artist village in fiscal 2021.
The Tenri city government plans to create a space where people can enjoy the artistic culture between Tenri Station and the artists village, including shopping streets, Isonokami Jingu shrine and Tenri University Sankokan Museum.
A completion ceremony for Mori (no) Guest House was held on Aug. 2. Local children who were invited to the event drew pictures and showed their joy when their pictures were printed on timber and cloth by an ultraviolet (UV) printer.
The guesthouse's manager, Shigeru Hoshino, 46, said: "More and more foreigners come to our city. I hope to make the facility one where foreigners, local citizens and artists can interact with each other."
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