On 23rd December, we held the Kakura Stone Wall Seminar’s year-end party! With new lab members joining us this year and third-year undergraduates also attending, it became our largest year-end gathering ever!
It’s heartwarming. Next year too, we intend to enjoy university life together, faculty and students alike, working hand in hand.
2026 is just around the corner. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!
This project began in 2022, and last fiscal year marked the completion of renovations to the former police officers’ quarters. This fiscal year, under the theme “A Place to Make Your Dreams Come True,” we are conducting trial operations, including holding events and workshops approximately once or twice a month!
As part of these efforts, we held an exterior wall painting workshop in September and an interior wall plastering workshop in October, further transforming the building beyond its original state!
Additionally, at the event held in December, we hosted a collaborative exhibition by emerging artists and food sales, welcoming our highest number of visitors to date. Throughout this past year, we are truly delighted to have felt a strong connection with so many people. ✨
12月 一階の様子12月 二階コラボ展の様子
今後とも本活動へのご理解と応援を、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします！
We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding and support for our activities!
On 16 December, we held the third workshop for Chugoku Electric Power’s Energia Research Institute ABW Implementation Project! This time, we held it at Hiroshima University’s Higashi-Senda Campus for a change of scenery. It was a calm, warm space – a place that really sparked ideas.
Building on ideas from previous workshops, participants formed three mixed teams of employees and students. They discussed specific concepts, zoning, functions, and circulation plans, culminating in presentations by each team.
In this project, the implementation of ABW itself is not the objective; rather, it must serve as a means to foster the unique innovation that arises from bringing together specialists from diverse fields within this institute. To this end, we engaged in vigorous discussions involving both staff and students, translating abstract concepts into concrete plans while anticipating actual usage scenarios.
Some teams focused on comprehensive ideas, while others centred on employee development, with each group producing distinctive outputs. During the latter part of the workshop, all teams freely brainstormed points of interest and ideas they wished to explore using models. The key sticking point for future discussions remains how to utilise the large central void…
At last, the full picture of our renovated office is coming into view! Keep an eye out for what happens next!!
On December 12th, we held a workshop with elementary school students from Yano Minami Elementary School to disassemble school desks and chairs! This was the first joint class for our furniture upcycling project, and while it was the students’ first time disassembling furniture, they all participated in the dismantling work with great enthusiasm!
In the first period, sakurasaku gave a lecture on furniture-making techniques, the cycle of wood, and the work of carpenters, architects, and graphic designers.
During the second and third periods, we actually dismantled desks and chairs from unused classrooms. Since dismantling requires some skill, some elementary school students struggled at first. However, with advice from the sakurasaku staff on how to apply force and use the tools, the students gradually got the hang of it and managed to dismantle nearly all the target number of desks and chairs!
Additionally, although this was a dismantling workshop held within a limited timeframe, elementary school students actively participated, and some children asked questions and chatted with sakurasaku and the university students. This makes me think the upcoming workshop where we’ll create crafts using the dismantled furniture will be a lot of fun too.
This presentation meeting is a venue for students to share various community contribution activities, and this year, a total of 19 universities and technical colleges participated.
This presentation session serves as a platform for students to share their diverse community service activities. This year, 19 universities and technical colleges participated.
Additionally, I was able to interact with students involved in various fields such as agriculture, sports, calligraphy, and music, gaining new inspiration and learning opportunities.🌱
引き続き、地域とともに歩む活動を進めてまいります！
We will continue to advance our activities alongside the community!
On the first day, we joined a workshop at Sagiura Elementary School, where we enjoyed creating our own “personal national flags” together with the children and students who had gathered from across Japan and around the world. After the workshop, we lined up all the unique and expressive pieces and took a commemorative photo. It was an inspiring time that allowed us to interact closely with both the children and the students.
On the second and third days, we explored the island and worked on creating a mock-up of an earthen wall. There were many things we saw and experienced for the first time, making it a highly educational opportunity. In between activities, we also removed nails from dismantled materials in preparation for upcycling. I’m very excited to see how these materials will be transformed in the future!
On Tuesday, November 18, we held an off-campus workshop at Yasu-higashi Elementary School, where students experienced making their own wooden chopsticks.
After Mr. Sumikura’s talk on architecture, timber, and the work of carpenters, the sixth-grade students tried using a kanna (hand plane) to shave the wood and craft their chopsticks.
We university students also assisted the children together with members of the construction company, supporting them as they worked hard to handle the hand plane and shape their very own chopsticks.
Watching them use the hand plane, smooth the wood with sandpaper, and carefully finish every detail with dedication was truly wonderful and left a lasting impression on us.
We hope that this experience will inspire the children and help broaden their learning and future possibilities.
We participated in the second workshop for the ABW Office Transformation Project with The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. EnerGia Comprehensive Research Institute on November 6!
Following the previous session, teams of employees and students exchanged ideas on “current issues to be improved” and “our vision of an ideal office.” Participants brought in photos representing the kind of workplace they would like to work in, created collages, and shared their images with the group. Each team wrapped up the session with a presentation of their concepts.
The next workshop will feature cross-team discussions. We look forward to seeing what new ideas will emerge!
It’s already been one month since I started studying abroad in the Philippines.I feel this term is shorter than I expected. At first, I was worried about my English skills for not being able to speak English well. Although I made a lot of mistakes while talking in English, I was sure that my English was getting better through conversations. But still, I can’t pronounce like a native speaker, so I will keep on practicing so that I can communicate with foreigners more smoothly.
By the way, I’d like to introduce the spots I visited. I came across various sightseeing spots and experienced a variety of foods and diverse cultures. For example, there was a traditional dance in Baguio. I saw it, and I was impressed with it. There were also traditional houses, and they were terrific. Moreover, I went to the Igorot Stone Kingdom, where I could see a nice view of Baguio City.
Traditional Dance in BaguioLocal Houses in BaguioThe Igorot Stone Kingdom
Especially, the night market was wonderful. It was held in the park and on the road in front of the park from 9 pm to 2 am. I ate balut for the first time. Before eating it, I was scared because I wasn’t used to seeing it, but once I attempted to eat it, I felt that it tasted good. My wallet was almost empty because I spent too much money on trying foods and buying clothes.
The Night Market in Baguio
I have four weeks left. Therefore, I will make an effort so that my studying abroad goes well.
On 23 October, Chugoku Electric Power’s Energia Research Institute officially launched its ABW implementation project!
During this workshop, participants set post-renovation goals. Employees, acting as students, divided into three teams to identify current issues hindering goal achievement and present ideas for overcoming them.
How will the institute’s ABW transformation progress? We’ll be keeping a close eye on developments!
