a non-profit organization and social R&D lab that renovates abandoned houses in Japan into creative residencies, installations, and experiments to advance well-being.
Akiya Collective was born out of a question:
What can we do to create human flourishing?
"Up until 2021, I’d spent most of my adult life studying. It was only after I left my PhD program that I appreciated how hard it was to find meaningful communities outside of academia, so when I met Michelle in 2022—interviewing her about her art for a startup I worked for at the time—I felt a strong connection with her, and wanted to get involved in Akiya Collective. I helped out with social media posts and eventually flew out to Japan to hang out with Michelle and make art together! I most recently returned to Komoro in April 2025 for the Speculative Worlds residency. The vision of Akiya Collective is one that challenges the sterility modern life and work seek to impose—endorsing attachment over atomization, playfulness over productivity. It is that aspect of the project that resonates most strongly with me, and I’m excited to see quite how far we can go with it."
Stephanie, journalist and student of life
* in less than 1 year after joining as stewards of our makerspace, residents have already started purchasing properties around us. A neighborhood is forming!
Currently, we have 5 houses under our care in Komoro by community stewards, and 5 satellite properties purchased by members in other regions.
"Having a dream of living in Japan wasn't quite enough as I had no idea how to make it a reality. I serendipitously found a random tweet from Michelle and ended up joining a summer and fall residency. I've learned enough about living in the countryside in Japan and the importance of community to decide that, yes, I *could* live here and enjoy my rural countryside life at the same time! We now own our own little home in Nagano :)
With a growing group of chill, artistic community members, living in a small town in Nagano is incredibly enjoyable and relaxing. The nature here is also amazing."
Lim, satellite owner and volunteer
"In 2023 I volunteered with Akiya Collective, trimming bushes in the makerspace garden while looking for a house of my own. Now I have my own project in Osaka, and I’m stuck — in the best possible way ^^ Having a collective with you while doing a project overseas is such a gift. Recommend!"
Jane, satellite Akiya owner and artist
"As part of my University course, I elected to do a placement year split between Akiya Collective and another project. These past 3 months working with the collective has given me some of the best memories yet. I’ve loved everything from the garden raves, to helping with setting up Akiyas, brainstorming research projects, and everything in between. Thank you so much to Michelle and everyone who contributes! It’s been amazing! Would 1 billion percent recommend anyone who’s interested in creative revitalization of Akiya and rural communities!!! :)"
Josh, Akiya Collective intern Fall-Winter 2025
Burning Japan 2025 Installation: liminal kimonos
Using sourced kimono from the makerspace, installed large multi-petal crepe paper flowers with LED bulbs and displayed kimono to light up a quiet space for people to rest
"Spending time in the Komoro Makerspace has allowed me to get a peek into what it takes to create and continuously foster social spaces. Entangling themselves in an already situated physical space, the Akiya Collective community deliberately works towards the never-ending horizon of creative possibilities, the only limit being one’s imagination. I am impressed by the abstracting minds of determination I have encountered and would not hesitate to recommend a visit for those who might find this project interesting."
Alba, Ethnographer in residence, Spring 2026
Spring 2026 makerspace installation: giant Daruma, garden deck and path
Sourcing local lumber and materials, worked with a team of 15 students and 3 teachers from Watershed School (in Boulder, Colorado) to clean up the makerspace garden, level the land, build a deck, and construct a giant daruma. The students also took it upon themselves to decorate the interior walls with paintings, and even constructed stairs and a pathway to the deck in the garden!
