Oku Hanna
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for riding the Nishikigawa Seiryu Line.
This is the Nishikigawa Gallery Express bound for Nishikicho. We will be stopping at 5 unmanned stations that have been transformed into art exhibitions.
Please enjoy our specially curated artwork as we pass through the beautiful nature of Nishikigawa.

Otsubo Nao
Good afternoon everyone, I'm Nao and I'm Hanna. 
Today we are going to present our new project called Nishikigawa Gallery.
It is a project that utilizes unmanned stations as exhibition space to help revitalize the Nishikigawa community.
So where are we launching this project?

Oku Hanna
This project will use the Nishikigawa Seiryu Line which is located in Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi prefecture. The Line follows the Nishikigawa River, one of the most beautiful rivers in Japan and takes only one hour to run from the starting station to the end. 

Due to small number of users, this line has 11 unmanned stations out of 14. So, we came up with a project which utilizes the whole line to produce an art exhibition.

Currently the Nishikigawa Railway Company and Iwakuni city are running a promotional campaign focusing on the nature of Nishikigawa area by reimagining the area as the Nishikigawa Nature Museum.
We envision our plan, Nishikigawa Gallery, as a fusion of art and nature. This project aligns with the spirit of the currently running campaign, turning the Nishikigawa Nature Museum into a wonderful gallery. 

Otsubo Nao
Let's take a closer look at the details of this project. 
Each unmanned station will be a canvas and this whole line will be turned into a massive museum.
There will be different art exhibitions at each of the eleven stations. Every year, more original artwork provided by newly selected artists will be used to renew displays. 

Oku Hanna
So, how can we enjoy these art exhibitions?

Otsubo Nao
Let me explain that for you. To enjoy these exhibitions, our plan is to take one existing train and turn it into a special train called the Gallery Express. On Saturdays, the Express will start at Kawanishi station and travel north to Nishikicho the terminus. It will stop at 5 unmanned stations for about 20 minutes on the way to Nishikicho. So, passengers can get off the train and take their time to admire at the creative artwork. We have created a perfect timetable for the special Express train that fits the current train schedule. In other words, the Gallery Express will not impede the travels of regular train users. 

Visitors will be encouraged to stay at the lovely hot spring hotel in Nishikicho overnight. Relaxing in a hot spring will be the perfect end of the day. If they do so, on the return trip to Kawanishi on Sunday, passengers will be able to visit the other 5 unmanned station galleries on an alternate return tour. 

Oku Hanna
You may be wondering who will create the artwork for this project. We have decided to recruit art students all over Japan and the Winner of the Yamaguchi Artist Award. 

According to Tsubaki Noboru, professor of Kyoto University of Art and Design, gaining recognition is the key to becoming a professional artist. However, there are not enough opportunities for art students to reach wider audiences. 

Therefore, we would love to give them the opportunity to showcase their artwork and their potential to others by making use of the Nishikigawa Gallery. 

Additionally, the Winner of the Yamaguchi Artist Award will be given a whole station to showcase their talents. Furthermore this will strengthen the connection with the local community, as it awards up-and-coming artists living in Yamaguchi prefecture. 

Otsubo Nao
I'm sure you're wondering what the exhibitions will look like.

These images will help you visualize our plan.  These are good example of artwork which stirs the imagination.  Our stations will be decorated with a wider range of designs and art styles.

Next, this is Kirara Yume Tunnel. In 2017, this colorful art display was designed by local students in Yamaguchi. You can take a trolley train to see the tunnel decorated with shiny stones, and enter a world of fantasy and illusion as if you are travelling through outer space. 

In addition to wonderful artwork, the magnificent scenery of Iwakuni which changes dramatically from season to season is nature’s palette, the perfect complement to the artwork on the Gallery Express tour. 

For those who use Instagram, beautiful wooden frames installed around train windows will ensure that every shot is picture-perfect!

Now Let’s look at the year-round schedule.
In May we will start recruiting art students.
And in September, selected artists will be announced.
From January to March, participants will be working hard on their creations at unmanned stations. And finally, from April, Nishikigawa Gallery will open and The Gallery Express will run every weekend. 

Oku Hanna
Who will benefit from this project? 
Nishikigawa Railway Company, Local businesses and Art students will greatly benefit; greater recognition, and increased revenue. 

The three parties will gain more recognition, as this art project will be a platform for promoting their services and the local region. This will lead to an increase in revenue, as there will be more visitors who will bring in more business for the local community. Moreover, art students can sell their artwork at the last stop, the Nishikicho station.

Depopulation is a serious issue in rural areas and the Nishikigawa community is no different. Our project provides the Nishikigawa region with an opportunity to showcase its unique features that could only be found here, in Nishikigawa. 
Without disturbing the beautiful local nature and rekindling interest in the history of the area, the Nishikigawa Gallery project will revitalize Nishikigawa region in a fun and exciting manner.  

Thank you.