A Meaningful Conversation in a Meaningful Place: Takeaways from my Yoshimasa Kondo Interview 

On June 24, 2026, I had the opportunity to tour one of Kyoto’s most fascinating spaces–QUESTION, a community-focused facility operated by the Kyoto Shinkin Bank (京都信用金庫). At first glance, QUESTION appears to be a modern coworking space attached to a bank branch, but in reality it is something much more ambitious–it is a place designed to bring people together.

Located in central Kyoto, the eight-story building serves as a hub for learning, collaboration, and creativity–while the sixth floor houses Kyoto Shinkin Bank’s Kawaramachi Branch, the rest of the building is dedicated to shared spaces where people can gather, exchange ideas, and build relationships. As I moved from floor to floor, I found a wide variety of facilities–a café on the first floor, study areas and meeting rooms throughout the building, and an expansive community kitchen known as Daidokoro on the eighth floor.
There was no one room that surprised me more than the others, but the heart behind each of them had a lasting impression. Each space felt intentionally designed around human connection. 
One of the most memorable areas was a seminar room affectionately called the “Community Steps.” Large wooden steps sloped toward the speaker, creating an atmosphere that felt halfway between an amphitheater and a living room. Colorful cushions were scattered across the seating area, and visitors were asked to remove their shoes before entering. It was a simple gesture, but one that immediately changed the feeling of the room. The space became relaxed and welcoming rather than formal. I could easily imagine university classes, nonprofit organizations, or neighborhood groups using it for discussions, presentations, and events. QUESTION staff later told me that it is one of the building’s most frequently used spaces.

Another area that left an impression on me was the fifth-floor Students Lab, a free study space for high school and university students. Staff explained that Kyoto has a lack of free places where students can study comfortably, and the Students Lab was created in response to that need. Rather than simply recognizing a problem, QUESTION sought to address it directly by providing a practical solution–I was amazed again that a bank could be so perceptive to these needs and willing to step in to meet them.
As I toured the building, I found myself imagining countless possibilities for each room. 
Every floor seemed like Kyoto Shinkin Bank’s creative, community-centered answer to how to create more opportunities for people to meet, learn, and support one another. I do not believe that there is a direct American equivalent to QUESTION. I have never encountered a building so thoroughly dedicated to fostering relationships and strengthening social connections. According to the staff guiding the tour, there is not really a Japanese equivalent either–as Japan’s first financial institution to undertake a project of this kind, Kyoto Shinkin Bank is exploring what role a bank can play beyond traditional financial services.

It was fitting that my next experience at QUESTION would involve someone who seemed to embody that same spirit of curiosity and community.
In one of the building’s shared spaces, I had the privilege of conducting a short interview with actor Yoshimasa Kondo. As an acting major, opportunities to learn directly from accomplished performers are always exciting, but this interview felt especially meaningful–not only was Kondo an actor with nearly fifty years of experience, but he was also someone whose outlook on life seemed remarkably grounded and joyful.
I was admittedly very nervous. While translation tools helped bridge the language gap, I worried that some of the nuances behind his answers might be lost, but those concerns quickly faded once the interview began. Joined by QUESTION staff and members of Kyoto City Hall, I watched as Kondo carefully reviewed my translated questions before settling into conversation. My first impression of Kondo was his warmth–despite his decades of success, I got no sense of self-importance. He answered each question thoughtfully and sincerely, with a level of openness that was evident regardless of language.
One topic we discussed was how his approach to acting has evolved over the course of his career. Kondo explained that Japan’s acting industry differs significantly from many Western countries. Unlike places where conservatories and formal acting programs are common, Japanese actors often enter the profession through a wide variety of paths. As a result, performers bring diverse styles, experiences, and methods to their work, and many learn through experience and relationships rather than a class. For Kondo, several mentors and collaborators shaped his development. One particularly influential experience came after he turned fifty, when he worked with director Eriko Ogawa at the New National Theatre. Having spent considerable time working in New York, Ogawa introduced him to an approach that emphasized responsiveness and interaction rather than strict consistency. Traditionally, Kondo explained, Japanese rehearsals often focus on precision, with the actors being expected to reproduce performances reliably from rehearsal to stage. Ogawa encouraged him to experiment, remain flexible, and pay closer attention to his scene partners, and that experience transformed the way he approached acting. He also spoke passionately about seeing a production of Skylight starring Carey Mulligan. Although he did not understand English, he was deeply moved by the performance. What impressed him most was how alive it felt–rather than appearing mechanical or routine, Mulligan seemed to be experiencing each moment for the first time. That sense of spontaneity continues to inspire him today.
When asked what films people new to Japanese cinema should watch, Kondo immediately recommended the works of Akira Kurosawa. In particular, he highlighted Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, describing them as powerful examples of Japanese culture, history, and storytelling. 

Reflecting on the changes he has witnessed throughout his career, Kondo noted that Japan’s entertainment industry has transformed dramatically. In previous decades, a small number of major talent agencies held significant influence, but as Japan’s economy changed and acting became less financially lucrative, many performers began establishing independent agencies or pursuing freelance careers. According to Kondo, this shift has created more opportunities through open auditions and has made casting decisions increasingly dependent on talent rather than agency affiliation. But despite all of these industry changes, what continues to fascinate him about acting is something fundamentally human. Even though actors speak scripted lines, Kondo believes performances often reveal something genuine about the people behind them. The way a person listens, responds, and connects with others can expose aspects of their true character. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly found himself learning about people through the work of acting itself.

Our conversation eventually turned to Kyoto. 

Having lived in both Tokyo and Kyoto, Kondo offered a thoughtful comparison between the two cities. While he admitted that he occasionally misses certain Tokyo restaurant chains, he believes Kyoto’s food culture reflects centuries of history and tradition in a way that feels uniquely special. More importantly, he described a difference in pace. In Tokyo, he said, life often revolves around work, achievement, and measurable success. While living there, he frequently found himself worrying about box office numbers, future projects, and professional accomplishments.

Kyoto feels different to Kondo. After moving to Kyoto about six years ago, he found himself embracing a slower rhythm of life. Rather than existing at the center of everything, work became one part of a broader, more balanced existence. “The city seems to encourage people to move at their own pace,” he explained. He even described Kyoto as having an “atmosphere of prayer.” Surrounded by temples and shrines, the city carries a quiet sense of reflection that seems woven into daily life itself. Kondo connected this feeling to ideas expressed by former Uruguayan president José Mujica, who famously questioned whether endless economic growth truly leads to happiness. That message resonated deeply with him. For Kondo, what matters most is not what someone accomplishes, but how they live and whether they live with joy. 

One of the most memorable parts of our conversation came when he described the people of Kyoto. Quoting television personality Tamori’s observation that “human beings are, by nature, wonderfully eccentric,” Kondo explained that Kyoto helped him appreciate just how true that statement can be. Rather than trying to fit into a single mold, people in Kyoto often embrace their individual interests, perspectives, and ways of living. It is one of the qualities he loves most about the city. Kondo told me that sometimes he jokes that his goal is simply to become a proper eccentric himself.

When discussing Kyoto’s future, Kondo expressed excitement about an upcoming film project he plans to direct. He also emphasized his belief that Kyoto has tremendous potential as a center for filmmaking and the arts. “When people talk about the Japanese film industry, they often focus on Tokyo,” he said. “But Kyoto also has enormous potential.” He pointed to the city’s filmmaking history, including facilities such as Toei Kyoto Studio Park, and expressed hope that more artists will choose to create, collaborate, and build their lives in Kyoto. “The greatest treasure of Kyoto is its people,” he told me. Buildings can be rebuilt. Businesses can be restored. But once culture and human relationships disappear, they are much more difficult to recover.

By the end of the afternoon, I found myself thinking about QUESTION and Kondo in much the same way.

Though at first they seemed unrelated–a building designed by a bank and an actor reflecting on nearly five decades in the industry–both had the same underlying posture. QUESTION creates spaces where people can gather, learn, and support one another. Kondo’s reflections emphasized curiosity, authenticity, and the importance of human connection over achievement for its own sake. Both while I was walking through QUESTION’s shared spaces and listening to Kondo describe Kyoto’s atmosphere of prayer, I encountered the same idea again and again–a meaningful life is built through relationships, curiosity, and the courage to live authentically.

That is a lesson I will carry with me long after leaving Kyoto.

QUESTION | THE KYOTO SHINKIN BANK
https://question.kyoto-shinkin.co.jp/