Yanesen Machiba-no Kenko Project (Machiken)

What is "Machiken" Machiken Activities Study Group/Research Volunteering Inquiries
日本語 English

Machiken Activities

Machiken offers a variety of activities that utilize local resources in the Yanesen area.

Machiken Cinema

Movie showings and dialogues related to health and disabilities. On weeknights or weekends, movie showings are periodically held at old Japanese-style cafes in the Yanesen area. Not only can you enjoy watching movies, but you can also share your impressions and have dialogues! We've also launched a project for developing our own movie with a health-related theme!

Machiken Cinema

Machiken Mindfulness

"Mindfulness" is an activity where you learn how to become aware of what is happening in the present moment, and has been proven to be especially effective for increasing one's well-being. Every month on weekends at Yanesen temples and other facilities we offer yoga, meditation, and contact improvisation dance workshops to promote mindful attitudes and practices.

Machiken Mindfulness

Machiken Dialogues

By applying Finland’s approach of ‘Open Dialogues’ participants who are concerned about mental health, lifestyle challenges, or who suffer from chronic diseases, as well as those who support them, can talk about these issues with medical specialists and ease their worries through dialogues. (Note: these are not medical consultations.) Held in the evening on the fourth Wednesday of every month or weekends, the workshops take place in old Japanese-style cafes in Yanesen and other locations.

Machiken Dialogues

Machiken Playback Theatre

Playback Theatre was founded in a local community based on the oral tradition of telling stories and performance. And now, it has spread all over the world, including here in Yanesen. Someone acts out a person’s everyday life in the community and the story is passed on as a 'gift' to a storyteller. It is a place for non-verbally 'dialogue', and also a place for sharing stories and feelings of the locals. Held at weekends periodically, the workshops take place in old Japanese-style houses in the Yanesen area.

Machiken Playback Theatre

Mobile Stall de Health CafeMobile Stall de Health Cafe

Physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals take a stroll around town with a small cart and talk with locals about health issues over coffee and tea. This service is offered at Geikoten (a handicraft exhibit at Yanesen) every October, but operates sporadically with no fixed schedule during the rest of the year. You can also rent our mobile stalls for your own events at any time!

Mobile Stall de Health Cafe

Other Activities

Enjoy other activities offered by our Machiken Newspaper, Machiken Bath House, and Machiken Rakugo etc.