In response to the spread of COVID-19, UNTAPPED HOSTEL, a guesthouse in Sapporo, began operating as a shelter for people in need. Once a haven for travelers, this space is evolving into a facility with a greater public purpose.
Currently, they are exploring ways to sustainably develop this "new kind of public space" by continuing the shelter while turning a portion of it into a bookstore. A crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for this project is running until the end of September.
Especially in times like these, there must be hope that can be found through books. Why not offer your support?

A New Path for a Guesthouse in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

UNTAPPED HOSTEL opened in 2014 in Kita-ku, Sapporo. It's a place like a roosting tree, where travelers from all over Hokkaido, Japan, and the world come to stay before flying off to their next destination.

The owner is Teruya Kami. He and his friends renovated a five-story building that was once an eel restaurant, and in 2016, they added an old private house on the same property as an annex. It wasn't just a place to sleep; it hosted joint events with restaurants, mini-concerts, exhibitions, sales, and even wedding parties, creating new connections for many people.

"When I was in high school, I think there were many small, independent shops like clothing stores and record stores, probably all over the country. And I had the impression that these people were the ones energizing the city. I thought they were cool, wonderful, and I wanted to be like them. In addition to that simple desire, I also wanted to have my own space, which is why I started a guesthouse where people could gather."

Mr. Kami was gradually bringing his dream to life, but the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 changed everything. After the Sapporo Snow Festival in February, the flow of people dwindled compared to previous years. In March, the first state of emergency was declared in Tokyo, and the hostel's sales plummeted by 90%. Faced with an uncertain future, Mr. Kami agonized over how to keep the guesthouse afloat.

It was then that he came across a news story shared by a friend on social media about the rapid increase of "net cafe refugees" in Tokyo. With internet cafes no longer able to operate 24/7, people with no place to go were being forced out. A sense of crisis grew in Mr. Kami, who felt that "Sapporo is not immune to this." He began to wonder if he could open up UNTAPPED HOSTEL to those in financial distress.

"I had a gut feeling that this situation would drag on. That's why I didn't want to do something superficial. I also felt like this crisis was questioning my own way of life."

A Sudden Donation Propels the Support to a New Level

Until then, thanks to inbound tourism demand, Hokkaido's tourism industry had been on an upward trend. It was a situation where if a vacant lot appeared, a hotel would be built on it immediately. However, Mr. Kami says he always felt a sense of unease, thinking, "Even if things are good now, it's bound to fall apart somewhere. Is this really why I started a hostel?"

"That's why supporting people in need resonated with me. If someone falls, I want to lend a hand. There's no one on this planet who doesn't receive care from someone else, so I think it's better to be able to say 'help me' when you're the one who has fallen. For that reason, I wanted to do what I could right now."

However, welfare was an unknown territory. Despite the unpredictability, he followed his heart and contacted the 'Hokkaido Association for Considering Labor and Welfare,' which supports the homeless. This led to a connection with the 'Sapporo Homeless Support Center JOIN.' With various forms of support and by utilizing the system, he was able to open the annex as a shelter with three meals a day starting in May 2020.

This initiative was featured in the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper and spread on social media, reaching a wide audience. Then one day, a turning point arrived. When Mr. Kami was out, a staff member received a chewing gum bottle packed with 500-yen coins from someone.

"Someone who saw our shelter activities on social media donated their 500-yen savings, saying they wanted it to be of some use. I was very surprised, and the staff and I discussed how to use this money effectively. I believe that person entrusted us with something intangible... a glimmer of hope."

What Became Clear from the "Okina Shokutaku" (The Big Table) Soup Kitchen

Inspired by the donation, Mr. Kami organized a soup kitchen event titled 'Okina Shokutaku.' When he put out a call on social media for support, many sympathizers donated funds and supplies.

On the day of the event, they were able to distribute supplies and bento boxes to a total of 150 people, including those who had lost their jobs and were struggling financially due to the pandemic, as well as university and international students. Not only that, but they were also able to create a space where many people could relax, with haircuts being offered and piano music playing in the background.

"Artist Shirotama Hitsujiya was especially a great help. She reached out to various friends, came up with detailed ideas, and worked tirelessly on-site on the day of the event. The haircuts and piano performance were also possible thanks to her. I feel like she added a creative margin to the usual soup kitchen format."

Mr. Kami says this experience reaffirmed his belief that creativity can and should exist in the field of welfare.

Connections Forged by Books. And the Light of Hope They Ignite.

From welcoming travelers to running a shelter and a soup kitchen, UNTAPPED HOSTEL has taken on a more public role. Mr. Kami is now trying to create a "new kind of public space" where culture and welfare merge in a sustainable way. He has decided to change the business model of a part of the first floor of the annex, which is currently a shelter, from lodging to a bookstore mainly dealing in new books, and operate it as a 'Bookstore + Shelter.' The shelter will continue to operate on the second floor.

"I used to work in sales at a publishing house, so it was easier than starting from scratch. Books can connect with all sorts of places, things, and people. By curating the book selection ourselves from A to Z, I believe we can slowly grow into a bookstore that is uniquely UNTAPPED HOSTEL. I hope we can also take on the role of sending out a proactive message, like 'Wouldn't it be great if the world were like this?' or 'Isn't the current political situation strange?'"

A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway until the end of September. The project has already received support from many people who sympathize with this activity, and the amount raised has far exceeded the goal. The rewards include accommodation plans at UNTAPPED HOSTEL, meal tickets for 'Gohan-ya Haruya' on the first floor of the main building, and tickets for use at the bookstore, as well as a unique "shelf owner system" (currently sold out).

The idea is to let the shelf owners freely display not only their personal recommended books but also books they have created themselves. This will naturally reflect the owners' personalities, creating a diverse and varied space. It might lead to unexpected encounters for visitors.

Mr. Kami particularly wants to create a bookstore for young people. The Kita 18-jo area, where UNTAPPED HOSTEL is located, is a student town centered around Hokkaido University. He is concerned that amid the pandemic, students are being deprived of opportunities to experience the diverse ways of life that are unique to their student years, as restrictions are placed on what they can do.

"When you buy books online, there's a system that recommends other books based on your purchase history. That's very convenient, but does it lead to serendipitous encounters? I'm not so sure. If you go to a bookstore, you can have a physical experience of discovering interesting things for yourself, which can lead you down paths you never knew existed. In that process, you might find something you love. The main thing I want to convey is, 'Let's get passionate about what we love!' I hope this place, including the bookstore, can be a catalyst for that."

A single flame born out of the harsh circumstances of the pandemic. Why not help light a small flame of hope for the visitors of UNTAPPED HOSTEL through books?