【Niigata, Joetsu】New Community Building by Migrants Fostering a "Forest" and a "Cafeteria" ~ "Forest" Developed with Government Crowdfunding Finally Grand Opens ~

Kiyosato Ibasho Base Cha-ya Exterior

Amidst declining birthrates and weakening community ties, a new initiative connecting children and the community is beginning in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.

Kiyosato Ibasho Base Cha-ya, which operates a multi-generational exchange hub in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture (Representative: Kei Takagi - who moved to the area due to his own childcare experience and has been working to create places for children in the community),

will hold the grand opening event for "Asobiba Chaya no Mori" on May 5, 2026 (public holiday, Children's Day).

This event is the culmination of "Chaya no Mori," which has been developed since late 2025 through a government crowdfunding project (target 1 million yen) in collaboration with Niigata Prefecture's Children and Family Division. It is a new form of participatory grand opening where participants, from children to adults in the community, work together to create "their own place."

Media coverage and photography are welcome on the day. We would be grateful if you could cover the scene.

## Event Outline

* **Name**: Grand Opening of "Asobiba Chaya no Mori"! ~Everyone Creates, Everyone's Place~
* **Date**: May 5, 2026 (public holiday, Children's Day) 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Lunch time 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)
* **Venue**: Kiyosato Ibasho Base Cha-ya (1216 Mononobe, Kiyosato-ku, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture) Forest Plaza + inside facility
* **Participation Fee**: Free (Curry lunch extra: 300 yen for elementary/junior/high school students / 500 yen for adults)
* **Target Audience**: Children, adults, families, anyone welcome (day-of participation welcome)
* **Application**: Application/Details Form
* **Sponsorship**: Joetsu City, Joetsu City Board of Education

May 2025 (before forest development began)
October 2025 (after clearing, first day of wood deck installation)

## Program on the Day (3 sections proceeding simultaneously)

### Chaya no Mori: Turning the forest into a playground

* Workshop inviting Forest Designer & Forest Instructor Mr. Tomoyasu Yogoro
* Sharing the process of transforming an untouched forest into a "playground" with participants

### Chaya Kitchen: Updating the kitchen

* Organizing kitchen utensils and tableware, reviewing storage
* Renovating to create a "kitchen that is easy for first-time users"

### Chaya Shokudo: Arranging the children's space

* Safety check and thorough cleaning of toys and picture books
* Creating an indoor environment where children can spend time safely

Children's cafeteria meals are prepared by volunteers (Chaya Kitchen)
Chaya Shokudo also offers indoor play and storytelling (one scene before mealtime)

## Background and Significance

Kiyosato Ibasho Base Cha-ya opened in December 2023 as a multi-generational exchange hub, renovating a 55-year-old vacant house in Kiyosato-ku, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. Centered around a monthly children's cafeteria, it has held over 20 events to date.

What emerged during the continuation of activities was a shortage of places for children to play, grow, and experience, which could not be supported by "food" alone. Therefore, the "Chaya no Mori" development project was launched in autumn 2025. In December 2025, a government crowdfunding campaign was conducted in collaboration with Niigata Prefecture's Children and Family Division (attracting attention as Niigata Prefecture's first initiative of its kind), gathering support from both within and outside the region.

Government Crowdfunding Page

This grand opening event is both its culmination and the practice of co-creation for creating a place, where instead of "using a completed place," "all participants create the place together." It will be a day where both children and adults play a role and get involved.

## Information for Media Coverage

On the day, media coverage and photography are possible in the following situations:

* Workshop in the forest (children clearing the forest)
* Work in the kitchen and cafeteria (adults and children working together)
* Lunchtime (curry rice prepared by Kiyosato mothers)
* Interview with Representative Kei Takagi (available at any time)

*Please contact us in advance for smoother arrangements.

## Organization Information

* **Organization Name**: Kiyosato Ibasho Base Cha-ya
* **Representative**: Kei Takagi (Former Regional Revitalization Cooperator, I-turn migrant from Tokyo)
* **Location**: 1216 Mononobe, Kiyosato-ku, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
* **Phone**: 090-7512-9078
* **Email**: chaya.kiyosato@gmail.com
* **WEB**: https://sites.google.com/view/chaya-kiyosato/home
* **Past Article**: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000173900.html
* **Introduction Video**: https://www.facebook.com/reel/4432188280391896