Art & retreat space Årc Yakushima opens, promoting 1.5-base lifestyle in Yakushima

Årc Yakushima, an art and retreat space featuring 12 guest rooms and a coworking café, opened in Yakushima, celebrating the island’s 30th anniversary as a World Heritage site.

The core concept of Årc Yakushima is “commons,” which means shared property. It is not owned by any one person but is a space open to everyone, collectively owned and managed by those involved.

Residents of cities like Tokyo can co-invest and become co-owners, using it as an additional home while also sharing it with local residents and travelers. The aim is to cultivate a place where everyone, whether a local or a visitor, can feel a sense of ownership and belonging over time.

Circulating a natural way of living

This initiative also embodies the hope that people living in cities can embrace a natural way of being, free from any constraints.

Living in the city often means unconsciously taking on roles, trying to appear bigger or smaller than one really is. The idea is for city dwellers to visit Yakushima, lay down their burdens, and harmonize with nature. They can then return to the city with this renewed sense of self, carrying with them the natural way of living they experienced in Yakushima. The goal is to create a cycle where this harmony with nature continues to circulate.

With this vision in mind, Årc Yakushima proposes the concept of a “1.5-base lifestyle.” Unlike relocating or maintaining a dual residence, which can be time-consuming and costly, this approach aims to create a place where people can easily return to whenever they want.

A cozy space with local materials and easy access to nature

The architecture of Årc Yakushima incorporates local materials such as Yakushima cedar and charred cedar from Yakushima and Kagoshima. From the ocean-view rooms, guests can see whales in the winter, while the forest-view rooms offer sightings of fireflies inhabiting the mountains and rivers, allowing guests to fully experience Yakushima’s rich natural environment.

In this nature-rich setting, Årc Yakushima aims to support self-expression and creativity by offering an artist-in-residence program, providing support for artists conducting research and creating works.

The amenities are eco-friendly, featuring Arpe® bath towels made from recycled polyester and OSAJI soaps known for their skin-friendly properties and pleasant scents. The staff includes members born and raised in Yakushima, those living a dual lifestyle between Tokyo and Yakushima, and members of the regional revitalization team who have been promoting relocation to the island, providing a strong support network.

To live naturally and authentically. It might be worthwhile to join in nurturing Årc Yakushima together.

Originally published on Livhub