This is the second time we're introducing a report on the workcation experience of an ITOKI employee on WORKERS happiness! Just to recap, workcation is a combination of the words "work" and "vacation," and refers to a way of working that combines work and rest.
The location for this workcation experience was the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture! Using Ehime Prefecture's telework demonstration experiment support system, five ITOKI employees traveled between three bases, Uchiko, Ozu, and Uwajima, for a trial period of four nights and five days. Will the members who do sales and proposals be able to do their jobs adequately in a workcation? What were the results?
Let's go to Uchiko Town, Ehime Prefecture!
The night before my workcation, I started packing in the middle of the night. I left home with barely any sleep, fell into a deep sleep on the plane, and arrived at Matsuyama Airport in no time. Since I was traveling to three locations this time, I rented a car from the airport and headed to Uchiko, which still has the atmosphere of a castle town. First, I headed to Nanyo Sign, where there is a coworking space.
It is located on the second floor of Machi no Eki Nanze.
What is it like inside the Nanyo Sign?
Nanyo Sign is a co-working space with an immigration consultation desk located in Uchiko Town, the gateway to the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture. It is a hub where you can encounter people, events, and things. There is a warm, homely atmosphere that you won't find in co-working spaces in Tokyo.
There are eight seats at a large table, five seats at a counter by the window, eight seats on a Koagari, one conference room, two private rooms, a shared living room, and a consultation counter. The first floor is a place run by the Uchiko Machizukuri Shopping District Cooperative Association where locals and tourists can interact, and there is also a visitor's center next door.
The white walls and plain wood pillars and beams create a relaxing atmosphere with the scent of wood.
This is the reception counter of the office, which also serves as an immigration consultation desk.
<Nanyo Sign> https://ehimelife.net/coworking/
Presentation immediately upon arrival!
They prepared a private room with a calm atmosphere, and I quickly switched from sightseeing mode to presentation mode. I was nervous about whether the Wi-Fi would connect, but the presentation was completed without any problems! I felt like I was able to speak more relaxed than usual.
I moved from my private room to a large table and concentrated on my work while enjoying the natural light from the window and the smell of wood. The warm, relaxed feeling in my body after work was a strange comfort I could never experience at the office.
Before coming here, I was worried about whether online conferences would go well, so I tried to postpone meetings with people outside the company as much as possible. I also thought that it might interfere with my work, so I tried to complete as many tasks as possible that I could complete alone before participating in the meetings. But it seems that was an unnecessary worry!
The staff at Nanyo Sign gave us advice on places to eat and tourist spots. The warm interactions with the locals gave us a strong sense of connection with other people that is hard to find in the city, and gave us peace of mind.
We were also surprised with a box of sweet potatoes grown in the backyard.
After work, I headed to a rental townhouse-style lodge located just a short walk from the Nanyo Sign, in the area where the home of the managing director of Uchiko Bank used to be.
It seems that the old house was renovated.
Start the second day by enjoying local ingredients
I was sitting on the veranda, looking up at the night sky and seeing a star-filled sky... When I woke up from a deep sleep, a breakfast made with local vegetables and fruits was waiting for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the unohana sushi, made with seasoned soy pulp instead of vinegared rice, the fried sardines, and the barley miso soup.
I was amazed at how comfortable the food and accommodation were!
After breakfast, I worked at Nanyo Sign, which I had been working at the same time as yesterday, and then did a little sightseeing in Uchiko. Uchiko, which flourished as the center of wood wax production, was the first in Shikoku to be designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and even today, the townscape full of historical atmosphere has been preserved thanks to the efforts of the local people. Discovering the diverse designs of the town houses, such as ”Kotee”, ”Gegyo”,” Degoushi”, and ”Shogi”, is the real pleasure of walking around the town!
Just a stroll will completely refresh you
From Uchiko to Ozu, creating materials while admiring the castle!?
After sightseeing, we went from Uchiko to Ozu. Since the trip included the weekend, we had planned a schedule that combined holiday work and transfer work.
Ozu, which stretches from north to south across the clear Hijikawa River, is an old castle town that developed around Ozu Castle and is known as the Little Kyoto of Iyo. The old-style inn, which overlooks the restored wooden castle tower, has a cozy and warm atmosphere, and time passes slowly. After checking in at the inn, everyone began their work.
If get tired, look at the castle...
Meeting on the terrace of the inn
Continued in the second part of the Ehime Prefecture workcation experience report
