BABA lab Saitama Studio: A Workplace Where You Can Keep Working into Your 100s

BABA lab Saitama Studio was born from a simple wish: to create a place in the community where people can continue to work using the things they love and the skills they are good at, no matter how old they are.

At the studio, women from young mothers with children to grandmothers in their 90s come together to create and make things. Life changes—childcare, caregiving, illness, and aging—can make continuing traditional work difficult. But even with these challenges, people still want opportunities to contribute and stay active in their community. A local workplace like this helps reduce travel time, ease the burden of family responsibilities, and make participation easier even as mobility changes with age.

In December 2011, we opened “BABA lab Saitama Studio,” a creative workplace in Saitama City where people can work toward age 100 and beyond.

A Community Space Where Everyone Belongs

In many places around Saitama, people commute long distances for work and only notice their local community after retirement. For many, this leads to uncertainty about what to do next. While some continue working past age 70, others find their workplace isn’t a good match for their strengths or interests, and age-related changes in stamina make work harder.

At the studio, the goal is simple: to create a place where people can work and connect across generations, doing meaningful work that fits their abilities and interests.

How the Studio Started

We began by renting an empty house in a residential neighborhood in Saitama and setting up three sewing machines. With a large wooden table donated by a nearby cafe, we started crafting and began inviting others to join. At first, many people laughed at the idea of working into their 100s—years before “a 100-year life” became a common phrase—but gradually our community grew.

We now produce original items called “grandchild-care goods”—products designed with seniors’ physical comfort in mind so that they can enjoy helping care for young children.

Work That Fits You

The studio operates with the motto:
“We don’t refuse anyone who comes—work is created for the person, not the other way around.”

People contribute in many ways:
・Sewing and crafting using traditional skills
・Managing sales or inventory with computer skills
・Welcoming customers and sharing conversation
・Leading workshops to teach others

Around 20 people from their 40s to their 90s participate regularly, coming once or twice a week to contribute ideas, work on products, and build community.

Work with Purpose—and Pay

We are intentional about offering paid opportunities, not just volunteer work. Whether through product creation, teaching workshops, or managing operations, participants receive compensation for their contributions. This financial exchange is more than about money—it connects people to society and reinforces a sense of value and belonging.

We believe the key to creating a workplace where older adults can thrive is identifying what people can do and creating roles that match their abilities, not focusing on what they cannot do.

Visit or Learn More

The studio welcomes visits and media inquiries—please contact us through the site for details.
Address: Saitama City, Minami Ward, Shikatebukuro 7-3-19, Japan
Website: http://babasaitama.com/