Sakura March

Spring has finally begun! We have experienced both snow and early cherry blossoms happened in the same month. Although pollen allergies troubled many of our friends… At the same time, we enjoyed a variety of colorful events at Shibaura House and met many new friends from both Japan and abroad in this changeable March!

EVENT | Yoga Class　

Date: March. 10th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @5F

On the same day as Moon Kitchen (March 10), we held a yoga session led by yoga therapist Eri Yamaguchi.

Before the class, she conducted individual interviews with each participant to understand their physical and mental conditions, and then tailored the session accordingly. Some of the movements were similar to rehabilitation exercises, and it was fascinating to focus on parts of our bodies that we usually don’t pay much attention to.

This time, we mainly invited mothers who use Moon Kitchen. They seemed to enjoy the opportunity to relax and consciously breathe—something that often gets overlooked in their busy daily lives.

Event | FleaMarket, Cantine and Music Live Performance

Date: March 8th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE & Shibaura Park

On a snowy day during the cherry blossom season, we held a big event. We were truly grateful to all the neighbors who joined us despite the cold weather.

This event was part of this year’s “Waterfront City Circular LAB” program, held in collaboration with the Minato City government. Our goal was to help neighbors experience how our lives can be more connected, rather than isolated. That was designed around three topics: music, market and meal.

①Waterfront Ensemble

This concert was conducted by the team led by a professional Japanese musician, Yoshigaki Yasuhiro. For six months, around 40 members had practiced playing instruments made from waste material by themselves. It was a very impressive moment.

②Sales Nothing

This flea market was designed to circulate everyday products that had already been discarded within the community. A key feature was the use of glass coins made by Spring Pool Glass Studio in Taiwan. Their circular philosophy and creative approach to encouraging participation—from children to adults—were a great source of inspiration for us.Participants who brought recyclable items to SHIBAURA HOUSE in advance received a glass coin, which they could exchange for other items on the day of the event.

It wasn’t just a circular economy market—it could also provide a good opportunity for kids to experience buying and selling by themselves.

③Port Town Cantine

During the Edo period, Shibaura was a port town. At that time, a type of shrimp called shiba-ebi was commonly caught in the area.

This program was designed to help people learn about the local history and environment through the story of shiba-ebi, which can no longer be found today. It was carried out in collaboration with students from Musashino Art University. Most of the participants were families with children, and it was a great opportunity for them to learn together.

Magazine | ADA Taiwan architecture  

Date: March 11th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F

ADA is an award initiated by Architecture in Dialogue Association (ADA) in Taipei, held biennially to recognize outstanding young Taiwanese architects under the age of 45. It showcases their architectural works to the public.

This month, we had the pleasure of welcoming the organizers of the ADA Emerging Architects Award from Taiwan and received the annual journals from 2020 to 2024. Everyone is welcome to take the journals home. These publications feature fascinating architectural projects from all over Taiwan, introducing not only the buildings themselves but also the lifestyles of the local people and the unique creativity behind Taiwanese architects' design inspirations and philosophies. This October, we will host the first-ever overseas exhibition of ADA, where architects and designers from across Japan and Taiwan will be invited to exchange ideas and engage in dialogue.

EVENT | The Repair Café event 

Date: March.19th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F

The organizers of The Repair Café believe that “every broken item has a story.” In middle of this March, we witnessed three different repairers working live on electric fans, vintage CD players, and various daily items. Everyone who came to SHIBAURA HOUSE for a coffee got to witness firsthand how broken household objects can be brought back to life.

In a capitalist culture of mass consumption and resource surplus, how many people still take the time to patiently repair a broken appliance? Through the act of restoring old items and showcasing the craft of repair, we hope to inspire more people to appreciate the charm of hands-on work. While drawing attention to the importance of the circular economy, we also hope to shift our mindset—from being mere consumers to becoming true participants in everyday living.

Pre-Workshop | Stretch (Y)our Future

Date: February 21st, March 6th, 23rd
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F / 2F

As a twenty-something, "future" is such a fluid yet drastic concept to get to grips with. Whether you have completed a study, started working, or found a passion, the road constantly involves new hurdles and choices. How may we release excessive pressure and stretch the way we deal with the future?

As a part of the interview publication project in collaboration with Dutch creatives, we started a dialogue with people aged from 18 to around 30 in Japan about what they have been through and how they have thrived as young adults. Through this workshop, we encountered personal stories that pose questions to ourselves as well as what society may expect of the younger generation. 

Workshop | Stretch (Y)our Future with Dutch Creatives
in collaboration with Bobo Ophuis & Faezeh Mohammadi/Pakhuis de Zwijger

Date: March 25th-26th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F / 5F

Based on the conversation we had in the pre-workshop, we decided on the core of our collaborative workshop with the creatives from the Netherlands — The future is present. How can we recognize "future" standing on our feet rather than imagining it as somewhere far, far away?

For this occasion, we invited two guests who share the same age group as participants to co-organize the workshop with us: Faezeh Mohammadi, a programme maker of Pakhuis de Zwijger; and Bobo Ophuis, who currently works as a junior editor at openresearch.amsterdam. Getting together in Tokyo after months of online meetings, we were all excited to discuss and explore the potential of international cultural collaborations.

Last but not least, we are grateful for having this opportunity supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan. The workshop contents will be part of our publication project. Stay tuned!

Visit｜UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY

Date: March 24th
Location: UoC

Together with Faezeh Mohammadi and Bobo Ophuis, SHIBAURA HOUSE visited Mr. Hidenori Kondo, the Director of UoC (UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY). Following an inspirational guided tour by Mr. Kondo regarding their activity and the Earth Co-LAB exhibition, Faezeh Mohammadi introduced him to her organization in Amsterdam, Pakhuis de Zwijger. Ms. Mohammadi also shared about the project she led called Designing Cities for All, in which SHIBAURA HOUSE also participated as a fellow in 2024. Recognizing the similar causes that organizations work for, we are very excited to explore more possibilities for international collaborations in the near future.

*As one of the program fellows, SHIBAURA HOUSE takes part in the edition "Closing Perspectives on Designing Cities for All" by Pakhuis de Zwijger — available for purchase via their website  (Photo credit: Pakhuis de Zwijger)

EVENT | Moon Kitchen　

Date: March. 3rd/10th/17th
Location: SHIBAURA HOUSE @1F

In March this year, we held two dinner gatherings and one reflection session for Moon Kitchen.

On the 3rd, we made curry&rice and invited elementary school students to share English picture books with younger children. Also, prepared improvisational music and a wide variety of interactive games—every child had so much fun in the end. On the 10th, we served chicken rice, enoki mushroom and tofu soup, and boiled cauliflower. After dinner, we always encourage all children to wash their own dishes, and parents help them clean and tidy up together.

Then, came the spring holiday from the 17th, the Moon Kitchen team reflected on the need for improvement in our recent operations and discussed how we could better serve everyone in the coming year. Next year, we'd love to welcome more talented parents to bring their unique artistic skills and come play with us. We believe both kids and parents need a space where they can connect and spend time together.