Bridging Amazaki to the World

Last month, the Akiya2.0 team embarked on our most recent trip to Amazaki to check up on our first major project, the Amazaki Cottage. Located on the picturesque coast of Omishima, along the renowned Shimanami Kaido, it's just a two-hour shinkansen ride from Osaka.

Upon arrival at the property, we were greeted by our local partners, the Yasakis, a father-and-son contractor team who are both born and raised on the island. Their warm hospitality always creates an immediate atmosphere of openness and approachability. In a way, they embody the friendliness of the local people. We learned more about the house’s unique aspects—like its internal roof structure, which, although commonly seen in Western architecture, is also present in this century-old Japanese home, coming together in a western-Japanese fusion. This detail is a result of the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, where western influence spread throughout Japan, including architectural practices. This detail sets it apart from all the houses around it at the time. Through their insights, it was evident that they have a commitment to preserving not just the house but the broader community as well.  

Our second stop was the Myokoji Temple, just a short 3-minute walk from the house. This quaint and beautifully crafted temple, over 1000 years old, is steeped in history. We were fortunate to meet the temple head, the 14th heir to the family shrine, who shared his vast knowledge of the area's rich cultural heritage that's not commonly known to most living abroad. A notable part of areas history is the Murakami Pirates. While labeled as pirates, they were actually guardians of trade and cargo ships navigating the Seto Inland Sea’s winding waterways, protecting them from any threats and guiding them to safe shores. The ruins of the Amazaki Fort, just off the coast of our cottage, once served as one of their bases, located in an advantageous spot for lookouts. Unfortunately, the Murakami Pirates influence waned after the Shogun banned piracy in the late 16th century. In our conversations, the temple head spoke candidly about the challenges facing Amazaki today, such as a stagnant, even declining population and low visitor traffic, despite being in the middle of the Shimanami Kaido. Why is this? This is because many are yet to discover the beauty of Amazaki, but this is where our Akiya2.0 team comes in.  

In the coming months, we’ll begin the renovation of the Amazaki Cottage, with our partners helping oversee the process. Being based in Tokyo, our work requires building trust and strong relationships with local, like-minded figures like the Yasakis, especially when working with century-old structures. We at Akiya2.0 have discovered (and continue to discover) the once unknown gems of Amazaki. What unites Akiya2.0 with our partners is our goal of revitalization and conservation, while sharing the hidden Japan to the world. 

Aerial view of the iconic Tatara Bridge from the coast of Omishima (above our Fisherman's cottage!)

The ruins of Amazaki Fort, accessible for 2 hours daily via a sandbar that appears at low tide.