Since 2011, Tokyo University of the Arts and the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture have been working together to redesign its Kobuchizawa Station building as part of an initiative to breathe new life into the rural area.
Local citizens were involved through numerous workshops as the city's natural, historical, cultural and artistic aspects were considered in a project that aims to make the station an artistic gateway to the mountainous Yatsugatake resort area.
"The citizens of the area have a strong appreciation of art and there are many who paint or enjoy other crafts on their days off. As a local government, it also holds the largest number of music club activities (in Japan)" says Atsushi Kitagawara, whose architectural company has designed the station building. "After discussing it with them, we decided to make a station that looks like an art gallery — and there will actually be a space in it that can be used as one, too."
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