– Revitalizing a 120-Year-Old Shipping Merchant House into “A Stay to Experience Kurashiki’s Japan Heritage” –
Gaiax Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yuji Ueda; Securities Code: 3775, hereafter “Gaiax”) is pleased to announce that its carve-out and portfolio company Planet Labs Inc., which operates Japan’s first corporation-based investment DAO (*) and provides fund structures and operational support specialized in historic properties, has launched a new support program titled “Supported by PlanetDAO” to work with local partners on the revitalization of cultural and historical buildings.
As the first project under this program, Planet Labs will begin a fundraising round for the restoration of the Nakanishi Residence, a 120-year-old historic building located in Shimotsui, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
The Nakanishi Residence has faced serious challenges in recent years, with restoration costs estimated at around 300 million yen—making it increasingly difficult to preserve. Under this project, a new company called Shimotsui Future Labs Inc. will be established and operated by Akatsuki Inc. together with local partner companies as joint investors, with the goal of preserving and restoring the property.
After restoration, the residence will serve as an accommodation, cultural exchange venue, and local experience hub, helping to build a circulating local economy toward the vision of creating “a town where people can continue living even 300 years from now.”
* As confirmed by Arumu Mine, Director of the Japan Blockchain Association and member of the ISO/TC307 domestic committee, PlanetDAO is Japan’s first attempt at an “investment DAO” that uses a joint-stock corporation (Kabushiki Kaisha) as its legal wrapper to raise funds. “Corporation-based DAO” is Planet Labs’ own term for cases where a stock company serves as the legal wrapper for a DAO.
A 120-Year-Old Nakanishi Residence Once on the Brink of Demolition – A Historic Family Home Symbolizing Shimotsui
Shimotsui, in Kurashiki City, flourished as a commercial port town and port of call for the Kitamaebune shipping route, which connected Osaka to Hokkaido and served as a vital economic artery in Japan.
The Nakanishi Residence is the former home of a prominent shipping merchant family that supported Shimotsui’s prosperity from the Edo through Meiji periods. The building is an important piece of historic architecture, retaining unique design features and traditional construction techniques.
However, after becoming vacant, the house deteriorated rapidly. By 2017, there were even proposals to demolish it due to the risk of collapse and convert the site into a parking lot or subdivided lots.
Local government, NPOs, and residents joined forces out of a strong desire to preserve the Nakanishi Residence as a symbol of the town, holding repeated discussions and barely managing to avoid demolition.
Even so, the estimated restoration cost of around 300 million yen made it extremely difficult to move forward, and the project remained stalled for many years.
This 300 million yen estimate is a rough, experience-based calculation prepared by the president and site manager of Namba Heritage Carpentry Works Co., Ltd., a local contractor, based on the combined cost of restoring the main house, a single-story house, a two-story house, a storehouse, and exterior/ancillary works. (The figure reflects the scope of the plan at the time, as well as subsequent factors such as revisions to the Building Standards Act and the rising cost of construction materials.)
A New Challenge to Create “Shimotsui 300 Years from Now,” Led by a Newcomer to the Town
In 2021, Tatsuya Hasegawa, the initiator of this project, moved from Tokyo to Shimotsui. Supported by the warmth and generosity of the local community, he gradually came to learn about the long history of the Nakanishi Residence and the many efforts that had been made over the years to save it.
When he heard the stories of local residents who had long said, “If there’s one building we want to keep for the future, it’s this one,” Hasegawa began to feel that restoring the Nakanishi Residence was a mission entrusted to him personally.
To turn that conviction into action, he founded Akatsuki Inc. in 2023 as a vehicle for shaping the future of the region. In 2024, he renovated part of a traditional house connected to the Nakanishi Residence and opened “Shimotsui-juku Kazemachi Shiomachi”, a guesthouse in a 70+ year-old kominka.
From concept development and business planning to launch, Hasegawa led the project himself, working closely with local stakeholders and successfully bringing the business to life quickly and smoothly.
Each small success strengthened his belief that “the full restoration of the Nakanishi Residence is not just a dream.” This new project is now moving forward with a clear vision:
“To create a Shimotsui where people can still live 300 years from now.”
It represents a concrete step toward that long-term future, driven by his commitment as both a resident and a steward of the town’s legacy.
Phase I Utilization Plan: Creating a Hub for Stay and Cultural Exchange
In Phase I of the project, two buildings within the Nakanishi Residence compound will be renovated and developed as an accommodation facility and cultural hub where visitors can experience elements of Japan Heritage.
The planned opening is as early as January 2027.
Target Buildings and Planned Uses
1. Two-Story House
This house will be transformed into an accommodation where guests can deeply experience the culture and history of the Shimotsui–Kojima area.
The core concept is: “A place to experience Kurashiki’s Japan Heritage.”
The renovation will preserve the historic atmosphere while adding modern comfort and functionality.
2. Storehouse (Herring Storehouse)
This structure will be converted into a multi-purpose space for music, food, and community events.
It is envisioned as a venue for gatherings centered on the local folk song “Shimotsui-bushi,” as well as programs such as “Taste the Sea Route,” where guests can enjoy the food culture of the Setouchi region—a place designed to foster both cultural continuity and community exchange.
Phase I Fundraising Overview
Funds raised in this round will be allocated to renovation costs necessary to establish the accommodation functions and Japan Heritage experience facilities.
- Fundraising Target: 20,000,000 yen
- Application Period: December 3, 2025 – February 11, 2026
- Payment Period: December 3, 2025 – February 18, 2026
Note: While the total cost to fully restore the entire Nakanishi Residence is expected to be on the order of 300 million yen, Phase I targets only a portion of the property as part of a phased project plan. The main house, single-story house, and former storehouse site are not included in this phase. The total project cost for Phase I is estimated at approximately 55 million yen.
Support Plans and Sample Benefits
- Supporter Plan – from 10,000 yen
- Quarterly project progress reports (via email)
- Friend Plan – from 100,000 yen
- Quarterly project progress reports (via email)
- One complimentary overnight stay (excluding year-end/New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon)
- Explorer Plan – from 300,000 yen
- Quarterly project progress reports (via email)
- One complimentary stay with two meals (lunch and dinner) for up to 4 people (*)
- One selectable activity (available year-round)
- Heritage Plan – from 500,000 yen
- Quarterly project progress reports (via email)
- One complimentary stay with two meals (lunch and dinner) for up to 4 people (*)
- One selectable activity (available year-round)
- In addition, for up to five years after opening, supporters may stay one night per year on nights when there are no other reservations. (Actual out-of-pocket costs such as cleaning and amenities will be borne by the guest.)
* Complimentary stay and annual one-night benefits must be used within five years from the facility’s opening date.
* Additional guests may be added for an extra fee.
Guest Feedback from “Shimotsui-juku Kazemachi Shiomachi,” a 70+ Year-Old Kominka Inn Operated by Akatsuki Inc.
“What a beautiful place. The craftsmanship of the house, the delicious local tea, and the beautiful cups and plates—all the details felt carefully chosen.” — Guest from Australia
“A very beautiful and quiet place in a charming fishing village. The accommodation was perfect and exceeded our expectations—probably one of the best stays we’ve had on Airbnb. The host was kind and attentive. We will definitely come back when we return to Japan.” — Guest from New Zealand
“A place where you can feel the wind and tides of the Seto Inland Sea. This is a wonderful place to stay. The owner is very thoughtful and everything was truly perfect—no exaggeration!” — Guest from Taiwan
What is “Supported by PlanetDAO”?
PlanetDAO is a framework developed by Planet Labs in 2024 to enable small-scale investment in the restoration and operation of historic buildings such as temples and traditional houses. Investors can not only receive potential profit distributions but also participate in decision-making, with continued use and public accessibility safeguarded through structured share classes, in collaboration with local communities.
“Supported by PlanetDAO” is a support program where Planet Labs does not implement the full PlanetDAO co-ownership structure, but instead provides fundraising and promotional support to projects that already have momentum and funding prospects through other channels. It is designed for initiatives, like this one, where strong local leadership and partial funding are already in place.
To date, PlanetDAO has supported funding structures for a 170-year-old temple in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, and a traditional house in Hayama, Kanagawa. Each project raised approximately 40 million yen from over 100 investors respectively, with around 200 co-owners from 23 countries worldwide.
Since autumn 2025, PlanetDAO has also launched new projects involving the Hojo Residence, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on Sado Island, and a vacant temple in Nachikatsuura.
Historic buildings targeted by Planet Labs are important local symbols and community hubs. However, transferring them to private individuals or companies involves significant risk, and it is often difficult for local communities alone to secure both operational structures and sufficient funding. As a result, preservation has become a serious issue in many regions.
Against this backdrop, Planet Labs provides a model that enables domestic and international investor communities to collaborate with local stakeholders through fractional investment, supporting the sustainable preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings that are otherwise difficult to maintain.
Stakeholder Comments
Tatsuya Hasegawa, CEO, Akatsuki Inc.
“It has now been four years since I moved to Shimotsui. Thanks to the local community who welcomed someone like me—with no prior ties to the area—I now find that ‘working for the future of this town’ has become the core of my motivation.
The more I learn about the history of the Nakanishi Residence and the efforts made by local people to protect it, the more strongly I feel that passing this place on to the future is a mission entrusted to me.
Nakanishi Residence is a symbol of the era when Shimotsui prospered through maritime trade, and it is a cultural asset layered with the memories of the community. At the same time, with depopulation and an increase in vacant homes, it has become extremely difficult for local areas to continue preserving such historic buildings.
Yet the Setouchi region still holds many rich stories and cultural assets, centered around Japan Heritage, that can offer irreplaceable experiences to people from both Japan and abroad.
After founding Akatsuki Inc. in 2023, I renovated an old house adjacent to the Nakanishi Residence and opened ‘Shimotsui-juku Kazemachi Shiomachi’ the following year. Although I led much of the planning, business design, and launch myself, I feel that the support of many people allowed us to light a small but meaningful light in the community.
This new project is the next challenge—to turn that small light into ‘a large light that continues into the future.’
My goal is to help create a Shimotsui where people can still live 300 years from now. The restoration of the Nakanishi Residence is the first step toward that vision. I hope it will remain a source of pride for the community and become a place where people from all over the world can deeply connect with Japanese culture and history.
It would mean a great deal if you would lend your support to this challenge. I look forward to building the future of Shimotsui together with you.”
Tamaki Nishimura, CEO, Planet Labs Inc.
“I first spoke with Hasegawa-san about six months ago. His strong passion for the Nakanishi Residence, combined with the track record he has already built in the community, made us at Planet Labs feel that we genuinely wanted to support his efforts.
Through the PlanetDAO framework, Planet Labs has so far supported the preservation and utilization of cultural and historic properties across Japan that face challenges of ownership and maintenance, using a new model of ‘co-ownership.’
In the case of the Nakanishi Residence, however, there is already a clearly established local leader in Hasegawa-san and others, with demonstrated results.
For that reason, we decided to position this as the first ‘Supported by PlanetDAO’ project and to fully stand behind Hasegawa-san’s initiative.
The restoration of the Nakanishi Residence is not merely about repairing a building. It is a bold attempt to answer the question, ‘What kind of Shimotsui do we want to see 300 years from now?’ I believe Hasegawa-san’s work will become a symbolic model for how local culture can be carried into the future.
As Planet Labs, we are truly honored to be involved in this challenge. And we hope that many people will join us in writing the next chapter of this story.”