Maybe there is such a thing as a free lunch — or at least, free housing. That’ll be the case for the phenomenally lucky person chosen for a two-year rent-free stay in a brand-new model home in the seaside town of Kamakura, Japan. Designed and furnished by minimalistic and mega-popular household good store Muji, this model home promises to be light and airy, following Muji’s “window’s house” philosophy. Your family and pets can come stay with you too, and the whole point of the experience, Muji says, is for the company to learn how people live in such a space.
Ok fine — it’s not completely without obligation. If your application is the one selected, you’ll have to serve as a “house ambassador,” which means you’ll be the live-in house-sitter, tour guide, research monitor, and information agent for the company. But honestly, that sounds like a more than fair trade for two years of refined simplicity in Japan.
So who’s eligible to apply? If you’re of legal age and a Japanese resident, you’re welcome to submit yourself to the contest. And while foreigners can try their luck as well, they must be fluent in Japanese. You’ll also have to publicize your interest in the house by posting on Facebook, and use the Muji Passport app. So yes, this whole campaign doubles as great marketing for the company.
You have until August 31 to apply, and you’d better be ready to pick up and move by March 2017.
The two-story, 860 -quare foot space will come complete with a garden and a parking space. Bathed in natural light, the house probably won’t have much need for bulbs and other light fixtures (which is great, considering you’ll have to pay for utilities and other personal living expenses).
The whole project comes as part of the Muji House Vision, a far-reaching initiative that seeks to better understand the perfect living space by examining different housing models, materials, and renovation techniques.
So if you’re looking for a two-year hiatus in Japan, you may want to consider applying here.
