In Ōita: 'Yumetane Cafe,' a Hub Connecting Agriculture and People, Opens in Yamakami Town, Kitsuki City on June 14

A warm, inviting space with a wooden, minimalist design reminiscent of overseas cafes.

Sugawara Farm, located in Yamakami Town, Kitsuki City, Ōita Prefecture, which cultivates domestic bananas, strawberries, and a variety of seasonal vegetables, will grand open 'Yumetane Cafe' on June 14, 2026.

Yumetane Cafe is not just a restaurant, but a community hub designed around the theme of 'eating, learning, and connecting'—a welcoming space where locals and tourists can gather and experience the charm of agriculture and nature.

An open, high-ceilinged space with large windows offering scenic views like a painting. A place to enjoy a moment of calm while taking in the natural surroundings.

In rural areas facing population decline and aging, opportunities for people to meet, talk, and form new connections are diminishing. At the same time, there is growing interest in experiencing local lifestyles and understanding producers’ stories.

Guided by the vision of transforming from a place that grows crops into one where people gather and connect, Sugawara Farm began planning Yumetane Cafe. With support from many who shared this vision and after a successful crowdfunding campaign, the grand opening is now a reality.

The loft space at Yumetane Cafe—a popular, secret-base-like area where children’s laughter echoes. A view of the cafe interior from the loft.

Inside the cafe, guests can enjoy lunch, desserts, and smoothies made with domestic bananas, strawberries, and seasonal vegetables grown at Sugawara Farm. A direct sales corner is also available on-site, where visitors can purchase freshly harvested produce.

The direct sales corner features freshly picked vegetables and fruits, along with processed goods and consigned products.

The banana smoothie, generously made with bananas, offers a rich yet refreshing flavor. Despite no added sugar, its natural sweetness fills the mouth (takeout available). The Bungo Yume strawberry is another fan favorite, second only to the Bungo Yume banana. Even after the season ends, it remains available as a smoothie.

Additionally, the cafe plans to host consultations for aspiring farmers and entrepreneurs, collaborations with local businesses, challenge shops, workshops, and various events. The goal is to create a relaxed space where food and agriculture spark connections between people and between people and the community.

The name 'Yumetane Cafe' reflects the desire to become a place where 'many people’s seeds of dreams can grow and flourish.'

The lunch menu centers on a 'daily changing set meal' made with seasonal vegetables harvested at Sugawara Farm. Pasta and onsen tamago sandwiches will also appear occasionally. On Thursdays and Fridays, light meals and desserts from 'Natural Food Cocochi' will also be available.

For those who think:

'I’d like to serve my own cooking or desserts'

'I’d like to host a workshop'

—opportunities to operate pop-up stores or host events will be offered, provided they use vegetables from Sugawara Farm. Even during the pre-opening phase, diverse initiatives such as massage sessions, fortune-telling, and financial workshops have been held.

In the future, takeout items such as ready-made side dishes and meal sets will be introduced to support the daily lives of local residents, offering convenient options for dinner.

Beyond serving tourists and day-trippers, the cafe aims to become a sunlit, welcoming space integrated into the daily lives of local residents—a place where everyone can experience 'eating, learning, and connecting.'

Features of Yumetane Cafe

- A cafe where you can enjoy ingredients harvested from the farm

The cafe offers lunch, desserts, and smoothies made with domestic bananas, strawberries, and seasonal vegetables grown at Sugawara Farm. Freshly harvested produce is also available for purchase at the on-site direct sales corner.

- A community hub that brings agriculture and the local area closer

Farmers themselves will be present at the counter, directly sharing their thoughts on farming and the charm of the region. The space aims to foster new connections and discoveries by bringing producers and consumers face-to-face.

- A community space supporting local initiatives

The cafe will host consultations on farming and entrepreneurship, workshops, collaborative events with local businesses, and challenge shops. It will serve as a launchpad for anyone in the community who wants to start something new.

Facility Overview

- Opening Date: June 14, 2026
- Location: 879-1314 Minamihata, Yamakami-cho, Kitsuki City, Ōita Prefecture (within Sugawara Farm)
- Business Hours: 10:00–16:00 (Lunch: 11:00–14:00)
- Regular Holidays: Wednesdays and occasional unscheduled closures
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugawaranouen_kitsuki/
- Operator: Bungo Yumetairiku Co., Ltd. (Sugawara Farm)

About Bungo Yumetairiku Co., Ltd. (Sugawara Farm)

Bungo Yumetairiku Co., Ltd. (Sugawara Farm) is a farm in Yamakami Town, Kitsuki City, Ōita Prefecture, cultivating Chinese lantern plants, strawberries, seasonal vegetables, and domestic bananas. Rooted in the belief of 'wanting to serve safe, worry-free food every day to our children and grandchildren,' the farm avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers during cultivation and does not use animal-based compost, focusing on producing safe and reliable agricultural products.

About two years ago, the farm began cultivating domestic bananas. Last year, the 'Bungo Yume Banana Owner Program' was launched, quickly forming connections with over 45 owner households within about six months.

Born from the desire to expand the human connections formed through agriculture into the wider community, 'Yumetane Cafe' aims to be a gathering place where producers and consumers meet, share their thoughts, and nurture new dreams and challenges—a hub where many people’s 'seeds of dreams' can grow.