Everyone who loves Japan has their own story of how Japan hit them at their very core.

My story began when I was eight and my parents registered me in a karate dojo in my hometown, Jacksonville, FL.

Introducing me to this martial art was one of the best things my parents ever did for me.

My master — my soke — was Japanese, and working with him marked the beginning of my spiritual journey.

My soke took me under his wing and taught me kata and self-defense techniques.

But the most valuable lesson he taught me and what has shaped me as a person was: “Train the inside first, then the outside.”

Exposure to the grace and power of karate and the wisdom of my teacher set me on my path to self awareness.

A path that, when I was 19, led me to Japan.

I’ve since moved to Japan and now live in Itoshima, Fukuoka. Totally, I’ve lived in Japan for 8 years.

During those 8 years, I’ve met Japanese people in almost every niche you can imagine…

But the people who shook me to my core, like my soke did, were master craftspeople.

Artisans who carried on their family’s legacy for generations.

These artisans are called shokunin.

Since 2020, I’ve travelled all over Japan interviewing these shokunin in a wide array of niches…

Textiles.

Pottery and Porcelain.

Dollmaking.

Instruments.

Metalwork.

Stonework. 

Art.

But despite the vast differences between each genre of craft, one thing remained the same…

Each craft embodies that core teaching from my soke.

“Train the inside first, then the outside.”

The years of dedication and effort the shokunin pour into their craft is passed onto the customer.

After visiting the studios and homes of over 40 shokunin nationwide, I’ve come to see how important crafts are to our collective self-awareness.

They ground us. 

They remind us of our dependence on nature.

They relax us.

They connect us to ourselves.

They turn our homes into places where we can truly unwind – especially in today’s world where our homes are now our places of work, study, exercise and life.

I started this campaign with the aim to pass not only Japanese culture and history onto my fellow international folk, but also to share the intangible qualities each craft is molded with.

And the best way to do that is through events connecting you with locals at the Japan Dome House.

Watch this to get an idea of the inside and different models (video is in Japanese, but the visuals are enough to understand):

What We Need & What You Get

We need to raise $300,000 to bring the Japanese Dome House to life.

…

You’ve probably got your eyebrows raised wondering, “Then why is the funding goal so low?”

Basically, the top crowdfunding projects ask for less than they actually need, because that is the best way to get what they need.

Confusing, I know.

But the reality is, people support projects that get funded.

Period.

Which means, the faster we hit the funding goal, the more people are encouraged to support.

Still find it hard to believe? Think about it…which campaign sounds better?

37% funded 

Or

209% funded

Exactly. You’re most likely going to support the 209% funded campaign, even though it’s already over-funded–no, precisely because it is over-funded. 

There’s a sense of relief there that even if you put money towards the project, it will go on to succeed.

So for the second campaign in this 3-part campaign, I set the funding goal very low.

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But, just to make sure we’re all on the same page here, I will break down the basic numbers for what will get the dome house built. 

Remember, there will be one more campaign after this. So, we don’t have to raise it all in one-go.

This funding will be allocated as follows:

– $50,000 ~ $100,000 for the vacant lot in Nijo, Itoshima, Fukuoka. Beach, train station, and all the shops within a 15 minute walk. You have everything you need to stay comfortably for months if needed. Specific dollar amount required depends on how much we raise.

– $100,000 for the construction of the Dome House, including all necessary permits and licenses.

– $50,000 for the organization of the first year of events, workshops, and exhibitions with local artisans and restaurants. This also covers the initial setup of the art gallery, including the acquisition of art pieces, digital equipment, and interior design. And let’s not forget making it comfortable for you to stay long-term.

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In return for your support, we have some cool perks. Check them out on the side of this page.

If we don’t reach our entire goal, the funds will still be used to start the project on a smaller scale. We will prioritize the construction of the Dome House and the organization of initial events to the best of our ability. Check the FAQs for more information.

The Impact

The Japanese Dome House is more than just a building; it’s a bridge between cultures, a platform for artists, and a hub for community engagement. Your contribution will help create a space where people from all walks of life can connect, learn, and appreciate art and culture.

I have a successful track record of organizing weekly language exchange events and establishing relationships with local artists and businesses for 4 of the 5 years I’ve been in Itoshima. With your support, we can take this to the next level and create a lasting impact on Fukuoka and potentially serve as a model for communities around the world.

Risks & Challenges

Like any project, we anticipate some challenges along the way. These include potential construction delays and securing the necessary permits – bureaucracy in Japan can take some time, after all. Japan loves its fax machine.

However, with eight years of experience living and working in Japan, a strong network of local businesses and artists, and a dedicated team (builders, artisans, entrepreneurs, etc.), we are well-equipped to navigate these challenges. We will keep our backers updated on our progress and any hurdles we encounter through this page.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you can’t contribute financially, you can still help bring the Japanese Dome House to life:

– Spread the word: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people know about our project, the more successful it will be.
– Use the Indiegogo share tools: These make it easy to share our campaign and get the word out.

Thank you for considering our campaign. Your support, in whatever form it takes, is greatly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you to the Japanese Dome House.