Fresh greenery of May 

Early summer has arrived in Tokyo, bringing comfortable days. At SHIBAURA HOUSE, it has been a quiet but memorable month.

EVENT | Moon Kitchen

Date: May 12, 19, 26th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F

In May, SHIBAURA HOUSE friend Aoki-san returned after a while, bringing back his warm energy. As the event facilitator, he played the role of the friendly neighbor brother to all the children, like dancing, singing, and playing games with all participants. We also enjoyed painting on the glass walls together, filling the air with creativity. The music and movement encouraged everyone who came to join in naturally.
For this month’s menu featured for vegetable pot-au-feu with fish rice balls,Sweet potato and soy milk soup with ginger rice balls and Japanese curry with white tofu miso soup
Each dish was thoughtfully designed to balance nutrition with fresh seasonal flavors.

VISITOR | Over the world 

Date: May 7, 9, 13, 14, 29th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @All Floors 

In May, we welcomed study visits from various parts of the world, including Taiwan, Indonesia, the University of Texas, the University of Southern California, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT).Most of the visitors were professionals or students in the fields of architecture and design.

Though these tours may only last an hour, the impressions left by SHIBAURA HOUSE, not only includes architectural design, operational philosophy, and the memories captured in photos, often spark deeper reflections.Each time when we guide visitors through the space, I wonder: What do they want to hear? The same space offers many perspectives. perhaps it's the warm smiles of our kitchen staff, the treats and care shared by an elderly neighbor, or the relaxed, open atmosphere created by the local community.Everyday life of SHIBAURA HOUSE is, in fact, is the everyday life of the people who surround it.

FORUM | The Urban Vision, India

Date: May 14th 

Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @5F 

Founder: Prathima Manohar

Participants: Social Innovators

This event brought together social innovators from diverse backgrounds to discuss different perspectives on observing and understanding a city. It also marked the first collaboration between SHIBAURA HOUSE and an organization from India.Most participants came from fields such as architecture, urban development, and social activism.

The program began with an introduction to SHIBAURA HOUSE. As participants toured our building, Mr. Ito from our company shared the origin story of SHIBAURA HOUSE and its operational philosophy.Then was followed by a session titled "Lightning Talks: Local Innovations in Urbanism & Architecture", with the goal of exploring how social innovation can act as a catalyst for more inclusive, resilient, and people-centered urban development.

MEETING | The Dutch Embassy  

Date: May 19th 
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @5F

We were honored to welcome distinguished guests including the Netherlands ambassadors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, as well as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to have had a discussion was held on the direction of cultural policy development in Japan and the Netherlands.

During the lunch meeting at SHIBAURA HOUSE, we shared past collaborative projects between our organization and the Netherlands. Also exchanged perspectives on how international relations have impacted cultural policy and budgeting in both countries in recent years.The meeting also addressed support systems for artist residencies and the creation of platforms for community exchange, comparing various regional approaches.

We look forward to future cultural policies that can offer concrete support for organizations facilitating Japan & Netherlands exchange, and to fostering long-term cultural ties between the two nations.

FORUM | Asahi Shimbun

Date: May 25th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @5F

SHIBAURA HOUSE recently partnered with The Asahi Shimbun to host a thought-provoking forum on the growing issue of poverty driven by global economic instability and political conflict. Experts, practitioners, and citizens gathered to examine the structural roots of poverty，from rising unemployment and housing insecurity to mental health challenges and reduction in pension.More than an exchange of ideas, the event became a space of empathy and shared reflection. Personal stories from the front lines deeply moved participants, sparking conversations about homelessness, generational poverty, and social isolation.

We believe such dialogue must lead to lasting change. By confronting difficult issues together, we hope to inspire action and foster a more inclusive, sustainable society, starting from within our daily lives.On June 8, The Asahi Shimbun will return to SHIBAURA HOUSE to continue the dialogue, this time exploring the global impact of U.S.-China relations.

INTRODUCTION I Fabrique

Date: May 27th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F

We had the pleasure of welcoming Prof. Ir. Jeroen, a representative of the Dutch urban public infrastructure design platform--Fabrique. During a one-hour presentation, he showcased a wide range of the company’s international projects. These included the integration of Taj Mahal-inspired icons into various parts of urban India, the creation of a diverse system of dots and lines in the visual identity of a museum in Mexico, and digital design solutions for ticketing machines, museums, ocean waste collection, and automated systems for passport control at airports.Alongside these case studies, we also gained insight into Prof. Jeroen’s design concept:"Embrace complexity, create your ownership"After the talk, we also enjoyed sake and a delicious vegetarian curry prepared by Takumi-san.