A note from the Kumamoto International Deluge Diversion Desk (merged with the Alliteration Desk due to budget cuts):
There is a small town called Tsunagi which is sandwiched between Ashikita and Minamata on the Yatsushiro Sea. There is also an artist named Nishino Tatsu (西野達) from Tokyo, who is apparently world-renowned but not world-renowned enough for me to Google him because I do not do art. According to the article, though, he is famous for his temporary structures.
The two have collided in a collaboration to create a one-room hotel on stilts over the sea, which was enough to catch my attention. The purpose is to attract attention to the now-defunct Akasaki Elementary School, once known as the only “maritime elementary school” nationwide, and its surrounding scenery. And it deserves attention. Here are the specs:
- On friggin’ stilts over the sea
- There is a nearby uninhabited island called Hadakashima (裸島, はだかじま); hence, it will be called “Hotel Hadakashima
- One room with toilet and shower
- The windows of the structure will be repurposed from Ahikita’s Akasaki Elementary School
- Other materials such as shoji from the school will also be repurposed for the building
“We aim to make it a room of memories of the children of Akasaki Elementary” Nishino-san said. At the groundbreaking (seabreaking?) ceremony held yesterday, Nishino-san said, “Unlike a faceless business hotel, this will be a very personal room. The fascination is to be reunited with your childhood past.” Construction starts in the middle of this month and is scheduled to be completed in early September. The hotel, being single-room, accepts only one group per day. Reservations will be taken from August for stays running from October through December (thus avoiding the typhoon season - but if you go, bring a jacket). No word yet on rates, maximum occupancy, how to make reservations - or even how to get to the hotel (boat?), but your faithful correspondent will keep you up to date.
The article has a photo from the groundbreaking ceremony and a sketch of the hotel by Nishino-san. - William
