"Daydreaming at a Share House" is a talk event where landlords and guests at Roopt, a share house utilizing retro properties, freely imagine fun ways of living, thinking "it would be nice if we could do that" or "it would be nice if we had this." For the first installment of the Shiogama Kaigan-dori edition, we invited Kazunari Monou, who is involved in community building activities mainly in Sendai, and together with event participants, we daydreamed about life at Roopt Shiogama Kaigan-dori and in Shiogama City.
Mr. Monou, who is well-versed in media and communities, offered many unique ideas, making the entire venue an exciting experience. Please read along and imagine what kind of life you could have in the port town of Shiogama, full of nostalgic charm.
Born in Sendai City in 1982, raised in Iwaki City. Completed the doctoral program (pre-doctoral course) in Spatial Design, Department of Business Planning, Miyagi University Graduate School. Joined NPO Sendai Miyagi NPO Center in 2008. After serving as director of Tagajo City Citizen Activity Support Center, he resigned in 2016. In the same year, he established the General Incorporated Association Granny Rideto. Director of Rifu Town Machi Hito Shigoto Creation Station tsumiki (2016-), Director of Shared Complex Facility THE6 (2016-), Part-time Lecturer at Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University (2018-). Co-authored "Citizen Participation-type Community Development Learning from Reconstruction - Intermediate Support and Networking" (Soseisha, 2018). Also active as the leader of Tsurezure-dan, whose theme is making everyday life in Tohoku more interesting.
First, let me briefly introduce Roopt Shiogama Kaigan-dori, the stage for this "daydreaming" session.
Roopt Shiogama Kaigan-dori is a four-story share house located about 30 minutes by train or car from Sendai Station, and a 1-minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station on the JR Senseki Line. The second floor has a common space and rooms for vacation rentals, while the third and fourth floors have a total of five private rooms for share house residents. It's a place where you can experience Shiogama's "artistic" atmosphere, with bookshelves utilizing the steps of the stairs, a tricolor painted ceiling, and tatami mats from renovation waste embedded in the walls.
If you would like to know more about Roopt Shiogama Kaigan-dori, please refer to this share house information page.
The first half of the event's talk session proceeded with Kyoko Watanabe, CEO of Makigumi Inc. and owner of the Roopt share house, as moderator, asking questions to guest Mr. Monou.
First, we asked about co-working space information around Sendai and the communities Mr. Monou himself is involved in and operates.
Watanabe: Mr. Monou, you're strongly associated with operating places like THE6 (a shared office and co-working space in Sendai City). Could you tell us what led you to start such work?
Monou: When THE6 was launched, the operating company had a challenge: "We're good at construction, but not good at fostering communication among residents." They reached out to me, saying, "We need someone to manage the space." That's how it started. I leveraged my experience managing public facilities during my NPO days to liven up the space.
Watanabe: I imagine the residents vary depending on the location, but what do you think is the fundamental significance of "sharing"?
Monou: Of course, there are economic benefits like cheaper rent, but more importantly, it's about the creation of new value that didn't exist before.
Watanabe: Could you elaborate a bit?
Monou: For example, if a company wants to create a new signboard and is looking for a designer. Even if they wouldn't normally connect, they can meet precisely because it's a shared office. And even if they don't know each other yet, connecting them can lead to job orders, new projects, and so on. I believe that's a major value of sharing.
Watanabe: So, it really comes down to the people, doesn't it?
Monou: That's right. Just having good facilities isn't very appealing; knowing "who is there" makes it easier to attract people and provides a sense of security.
Watanabe: The same might be true for Roopt. Have there been any interesting incidents during your time operating these spaces, Mr. Monou?
Monou: Yes, there have. There was a resident at THE6 who loved making cakes, and before I knew it, they had connected with the local neighborhood association and ended up setting up a stall at the town festival. Or, residents created a local map of the area around THE6 together, and through that process, relationships with nearby shops were formed.
Watanabe: It's amazing how residents proactively connect with the community!
Watanabe: Let's talk about the main topic, "Daydreaming at a Share House." You frequently visit Shiogama, so I'd like to hear about Shiogama's interesting spots from your perspective.
Monou: There are many. There's the Shiogama City Sugimura Jun Museum of Art, designated as a municipal tangible cultural property, and the Katsuichi Nagai Manga Museum, which honors Katsuichi Nagai, who served as editor-in-chief of the manga magazine "Garo." There's also a sake brewery where you can sample Miyagi's famous sake, "Urakasumi."
Watanabe: Shiogama has many cultural places, doesn't it?
Monou: That's right. Actually, haiku is also famous in Shiogama, and I used to write haiku crying while being taught by the famous haiku poet Seiichiro Watanabe (from Shiogama) in a group called 'Haiku no Kai' (Haiku Association) (laughs).
Watanabe: So you received loving guidance (laughs). If you, Mr. Monou, who are so knowledgeable about Shiogama's culture, were to live at Roopt Shiogama Kaigan-dori, what kind of things would you like to do?
Monou: Utilizing its location, just a 1-minute walk from the station, I might even start a "self-proclaimed tourist association."
Watanabe: A self-proclaimed tourist association...?
Monou: For example, residents could create a "passion map" introducing their favorite local shops from their own perspective, saying things like "I love this aspect of this confectionery," and make it open to people using Hon-Shiogama Station. By doing so, connections with locals and tourists could be formed, and it could function like a tourist information center. So, it might be interesting if creative people specializing in video, design, or writing were to move in.
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