Project Launched to Renovate 150-Year-Old Traditional House in Ichinoseki, Iwate into a Roastery & Share House Fostering Dialogue. Crowdfunding Begins.

A project has been launched in the Minami-Konashi district of Senmaya-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, to renovate a 150-year-old traditional folk house and establish "Chidakke", an exchange hub that will serve as a roastery, cafe, and share house.

This project is led by a married couple: Haruki Nakamura, who is engaged in self-reliant forestry as a member of the Local Vitalization Cooperator, and Yumi Nakamura, who creates spaces that emphasize dialogue.

The background to this initiative includes issues such as unmaintained forests and the weakening of community ties. To break through this local situation, the project aims to create a hub that nurtures connections between people and nature, and between people themselves, centering around coffee and forestry. Crowdfunding is scheduled to start on April 3, 2026.

## Background | Why this initiative now?

Forests occupy about 60% of the area in Ichinoseki City, but due to a lack of successors and an aging population, the number of unmaintained forests is increasing. In addition, the Minami-Konashi district of Senmaya-cho is experiencing population decline, and the population, which was about 12,000 ten years ago, is projected to decrease further in the future.

In our daily lives, even if we feel, "Is it okay to leave things like this?" or "What do I really want to do?", there are not many places where we can talk with peace of mind. This project was launched out of a felt need for a place where people can casually talk about the mountains, work, and daily life.

## Project Overview | What is "Chidakke"?

"Chidakke" is a multi-purpose complex utilizing a 150-year-old traditional folk house, centering around a roastery, cafe, and share house, with plans to also include a private lodging (minpaku) function in the future. It aims to be a place where locals, those wishing to relocate, and visitors can interact and build relationships.

The name "Chidakke" combines the original landlord's surname "Chida" with the local dialect "〜dakke" (meaning "how was it?"), embodying the desire to make it "a place to stop and question oneself again."

## Three Values Provided by "Traditional Folk House Chidakke"

**[Roastery & Cafe Where Dialogue is Born]**

Serving coffee roasted by the husband involved in self-reliant forestry. Designed to encourage lively conversation over the counter, it will not only be a place of relaxation for the community but also open up a space to casually discuss local issues such as "abandoned forests" and "shortage of successors." It aims to be a place where the anxiety of "not knowing what to do with the mountains" can be gradually unraveled through casual conversations over a cup of coffee.

**[Share House Overlooking the Superb View of the Satoyama]**

Preparing guest rooms (6 tatami and 8 tatami mats) on the second floor with a panoramic view of the Satoyama (woodlands/villages) scenery from the windows. It will be utilized as a place where young people interested in forestry, agriculture, or moving to rural areas can experience a "trial stay" for about half a year to a year. Co-operator Yumi Nakamura has utilized her experience in the welfare field to create spaces where people can talk with peace of mind. It provides an environment where dialogue is naturally born in daily life, allowing individuals to re-examine their feelings and future way of living.

**[Multi-purpose Event Space]**

Taking advantage of the spacious 8LDK layout to hold dialogue events, movie screenings, ukulele gatherings, etc.
Furthermore, the garden will be used to practice natural farming and soil environment improvement initiatives, creating a place for multi-generational exchange.

## Future Outlook

This project aims to build the hub by renovating it in stages while living in the traditional house, following a concept of "opening up little by little." In 2026, we will increase the related population through renovation workshops and events, and expand opportunities for roasted coffee sales and experiences.

After that, we will proceed with preparations for the share house and cafe operations, aiming for a partial opening around the fall of 2026, and leading to full-scale operations in the future. In addition, through crowdfunding, we will raise funds and expand the circle of peers involved in the project.

- Summer 2026~: Renovation workshops and events held
- Fall 2026~: Roastery operation and roasted coffee bean sales
- 2027: Cafe scheduled for full-scale opening

## Comments from the Representatives

### Haruki Nakamura

There are not many places where you can safely talk about questions like "Is it okay to leave things as they are?". We ourselves have also gradually found our own way of life through dialogue with people. "Chidakke" is a place where anyone, whether a local resident or someone coming from outside, can suddenly stop and reconsider, "What is it that I want to do?". From this place, we aim to gently expand the relationships between people, and between people and the mountains.

### Yumi Nakamura

By talking to someone, you can become aware of your own feelings and sometimes move forward a little. I want to nurture this place so that it becomes a space where people can stop and talk with peace of mind.

## Crowdfunding Overview

Project Name: Want to create a Roastery & Share House where dialogue is born in the 150-year-old traditional folk house "Chidakke"!
Period: Friday, April 3, 2026 - Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Target Amount: 1,000,000 yen (As part of the initial renovation costs)
Examples of Returns: Coffee tickets, home-roasted coffee beans, traditional folk house DIY experience, etc.
URL: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/930264/view?utm_campaign=cp_po_share_c_msg_mypage_projects_show

## Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Trade Name: Kikori to Coffee (Woodcutter and Coffee)
Location: Senmaya-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
Business Description: Forestry, coffee roasting, cafe operation, experience planning
Contact: Haruki Nakamura
Email: kikorito.coffee@gmail.com
SNS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chidakke/