Mark House Hatsumoo-kan is an international organization for youth and adults aiming to create "the third place to be", outside school, work, and home in Japan.

You can just call it “Mark House" in English!

With our mission of “Connecting through Words, Knowledge, and Heart”, we hold events such as:

a Language Exchange Cafe for English speakers learning Japanese, and Japanese speakers learning English;

"Dr. Mark's World Cafe", learning about the world and SDGs in easy English and Japanese;

and an "International basho (place to be) Cafe", with music and dog therapy for those who have hardships in life due to their chronic illness or some life situation.

All events are held either in the home of an international couple from Australia, or at a nearby cafe located near JR Omori.

Suffering with three chronic conditions, Chronic Lyme Disease, Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak, and blepharospasm for over 25 years,

I , Masako Mark, kept wondering what I could do with the limited energy I receive from IV drips every other day, epidural saline patches, and medications. 

I tried many things　to participate to the society, but it was all very difficult, as  I couldn't keep my head up too long, use my eyes freely, nor produce sufficient energy.

At the same time,  I met many people and youth who are in difficult situations due to their illness and circumstances.

Young carers looking after their sick parent, those who lost their parent due to illness, and those who are suffering from chronic illness themselves. 

My Australian husband Craig was also so busy with his work and care for me that he couldn't study Japanese and was a bit left out from Japanese society.

So, we decided to found an international organization, Mark House, for those foreigners and Japanese people who need a place to belong in Japan, just as we do! 

By helping each other  and borrowing the talents and gifts of those who we meet, we aim to create a place where we can all grow together through Words, Knowledge, and Heart!