The Artist is in Residence: Design, Gastronomy & New Tradition of an Artisanal Ski Chalet with Liam Mugavin / A.I.R. Myoko

Outland Japan

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In Episode 31 of the podcast we head to Akakura Onsen in Myoko Kogen to speak with design maker Liam Mugavin. Originally for Australia, Liam is the cofounder of A.I.R. Myoko – a ski in, ski out chalet which combines design, gastronomy and other artisanal influences to offer a different type of experience when it comes to ski accommodation in Japan.

Liam’s background and continued work as a designer maker underpin the concept of chalet he operates, along with his business partner and other members of the team. Extending the ‘artist in residence’ concept he undertook with Australia House – part of the Echigo Tsumari Art Field festival held in Niigata – and similar programs around the world, Liam and the team at AIR invite artists and upcoming chefs to reside at the chalet each winter.

We discuss of that in the first half of the interview before moving onto Liam’s current project, the relocation and restoration of a 170 year old ‘kominka’ (traditional farmhouse) in the second half of our chat. With restoration nearing completion, the building will act as Liam’s design workshop - an extension of the artist residence concept.

Checkout the A.I.R. Myoko website for bookings and to get in touch with Liam, and if you have not already, make sure to also check out Episode 17 of the podcast, in which I spoke with snowboarder Billy Halloran about the ski resorts of Myoko Kogen and his lodge, The Greenhouse Myoko. You can also find images and a map showing you where we are in the snow country on the episode page of the Snow Country Stories Japan website.

Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

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1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Life in Akakura Onsen (00:03:34)

3. Ski Resorts of Myoko Kogen (00:05:48)

4. (A Little Bit of) Liam's Story (00:08:51)

5. Echigo Tsumari Residence & Finding His Way to Myoko (00:14:23)

6. The Concept Behind A.I.R. Myoko (00:19:37)

7. Design, Gastronomy & Who the Chalet Caters For (00:22:22)

8. Booking with A.I.R. Myoko & Other Things on Offer (00:26:33)

9. New Tradition: The Relocation & Renovation of a 170 Year Old Farmhouse (00:28:23)

10. Finding, Purchasing & Relocating the House (00:31:47)

11. Experience of Restoring the House & Its Future Use (00:36:52)

12. Artist in Residence: A Space for Timber Artisans (00:39:46)

13. Episode Close (00:42:50)