Alt_Coliving

3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027

Danran (だんらん): Spend the Holidays as Family in Kanazawa

Hosted by Alt_Coliving × LINNAS Kanazawa

Snow outside, a warm table inside. Decorate the tree together, share Christmas dinner and welcome the New Year with people who feel like family. Plus kintsugi, samurai streets and the best seafood in Japan.

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Why Kanazawa?

Kanazawa sits on the Hokuriku coast of Honshu, halfway between Tokyo and Kyoto. In December the snow settles on the samurai streets and the old teahouses of the geisha districts, and winter crab fills the stalls of Omicho, the seafood market locals have been going to for 300 years. Spend your days exploring the city on foot, then come home to a warm house and a full table. Just 2.5 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen, or 45 minutes by bus from Komatsu Airport.

What Is Danran?

December in Kanazawa is cold and snowy, and the holidays are when you miss home the most. This pop up is built around one Japanese word: Danran (だんらん). It’s the savoring of company without expectations or timelines, unhurried conversations unfolding for hours around the table.
LINNAS will be warm and cozy on purpose. We’ll put up the Christmas tree together, share Christmas dinner and spend the holidays as one family, with a quiet, productive space to keep working every day. Let us open our home to you this winter.

Your Danran Journey, Week by Week

A new four-week structure that takes you from newcomer to host. Each week ends with a family meeting, where we sit around the table and talk about it.

Week 1 · 覗く · LOOK IN

Come with fresh eyes. The LINNAS team takes you around the city, to their favorite places and the people behind them, so you find the spots where you feel welcome.

Week 2 · 座る · SIT DOWN

Go back to a place you found in week one, this time on your own. Take a seat, order the usual and start being recognized.

Week 3 · 囲む · MAKE TOGETHER

Make something with someone you've met in Kanazawa: a zine, a recipe, a shared meal, a photo series. Anything, as long as you make it together.

Week 4 · 招く · INVITE IN

Bring your new local friends to the table at LINNAS. We'll help you host a gathering of your own, and the family gets a little bigger.

Danran: A Family for the Holidays

At Alt_Coliving and LINNAS, community comes first, and in December that matters more than ever. Being away from your family and your country over the holidays can feel lonely. Here you’ll decorate the Christmas tree with the group, sit down to a shared Christmas dinner and have people to celebrate with when the year turns.

A Calendar Built Around the Table

Each week has its own focus: look in, sit down, make together and invite in. Around it there’s plenty of white space to work. At the weekly Family Meeting we sit together, talk about the week and decide what comes next: a kintsugi class, an evening at Omicho market, a walk through the snow in Higashi Chaya. The program grows with the people in it.

Dedicated Hosting Team

Shoko, Nicholas and the LINNAS team have spent years building bridges between international visitors and the local community. In the first week they’ll take you around the city and introduce you to the people they love: craftspeople, café owners, neighbors. By the end of the month, the hope is that you’ll be inviting those same people to dinner at LINNAS.

Your Accommodation: LINNAS Kanazawa

LINNAS and Alt_ are built on the same values: community, warmth, and meaningful connections with local culture. Inspired by the Danish concept of hygge, LINNAS is a real home base where you can work, unwind and connect. This December it will be extra cozy: the Christmas tree we put up together, a kitchen full of people cooking, and long evenings around the table while it snows outside.

What’s Actually Included in Your Ticket?

24/7 Coworking Access (High-speed wifi)

Daily FIKA, a 1 free coffee/day, 4–5 PM

1-day Pass at Coworking Square Kanazawa Korinbo

Group Sauna × 2

Gold Leaf Workshop

Welcome & Closing Parties

Christmas Tree Decorating Together

Shared Christmas Dinner

Weekly Family Meeting

Community Events (Group Workout, Plogging)

Dedicated Bilingual Community Manager

Disposable Cameras

Excursion

Chiang Mai Night

Exclusive Alt × LINNAS Merch

Private Double Room Package

$1,700 /month (USD)

A cozy room with a double bed and 8 sqm of functional space. Shared bathrooms are available on each floor. Includes TV, fridge, hair dryer, and a full set of toiletries and towels.

Double occupancy requires an additional program fee of $1100.

Private Ensuite Room Package

$1950 /month (USD)

A comfortable room with a double bed and everything you need for a relaxed stay. The space is thoughtfully equipped with a TV, mini fridge, and hair dryer, while the private bathroom includes a shower and a full set of amenities.

Double occupancy requires an additional program fee of $1100.

About the Host:

Shoko

I’m from Niigata, Japan. I have experience working as a nurse and working abroad in international environments. I have hosted and organized three coliving programs at LINNAS, where I also serve as a community curator.

Nicholas

Originally from the foothills of South Carolina in the US, I have been living and working in Ishikawa Prefecture since 2022. Starting this year, I am the acting coordinator of art-related programming at LINNAS Kanazawa.

Testimonials

Save Your Seat at the Table

Only 12 spots available. If you’re curious, excited or thinking about spending the holidays with us, leave your email and we’ll get in touch to answer all your questions!

Sign up below! No immediate commitment needed, no pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this program unique compared to other digital nomad retreats?
It’s a month of holidays spent like a family. The program is built around Danran (だんらん), the Japanese word for gathering around the table with no rush and no agenda. You’ll find it in a week-by-week journey from newcomer to host, a Christmas tree we decorate together, a shared Christmas dinner, and a productive space to keep working.
What is Kanazawa like as a destination?

Kanazawa is a culturally significant city located along the Sea of Japan coast, known for its well-preserved historical districts and vibrant arts scene. Visitors can explore landmarks such as Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and traditional areas like the Higashi Chaya district. The city offers a unique balance of historical heritage and contemporary creativity.

Are there vegetarian or vegan food options in the area?

Yes. Kanazawa has a growing number of vegetarian- and vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes. We also recommend the Kanazawa City Barrier-Free Food Map, which helps you easily find places that accommodate different dietary needs. We’re happy to share additional recommendations as well.

How do I get to LINNAS Kanazawa?

The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport (KMQ), approximately 40 minutes from Kanazawa Station by limousine bus (around ¥1,300 one way). From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen provides direct access to Kanazawa Station in about 2.5 hours. LINNAS Kanazawa is a short taxi or bus ride from the station.

Is there an age requirement to join the program?

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Beyond this, individuals of all ages and backgrounds are welcome, provided they share an interest in travel, community, and cultural exchange.

Will there be guided tours and activities?
In the first week the LINNAS team will take you around the city and introduce you to locals. After that, most activities are intentionally unstructured, so you can explore Kanazawa in your own way and at your own pace.
Can I explore outside Kanazawa during the program?

Yes, participants are encouraged to explore the surrounding region. Kanazawa serves as an excellent base for day trips to destinations such as the Noto Peninsula, Shirakawago, and Kaga Onsen. We are happy to offer guidance and travel recommendations.

Are there pre-program meet-ups?

Yes, online meet-ups will be on prior to the program. These sessions provide an opportunity for participants to connect, share expectations, and contribute ideas that help shape the overall experience.

Is the program suitable for digital nomads?

Yes, the program is designed to support both those new to remote work and experienced digital nomads. The environment encourages a balanced approach to productivity and cultural engagement.

Do I need to know Japanese to join?

No prior knowledge of Japanese is required. The program is conducted in English, and local hosts and staff are bilingual and available to assist as needed.