[Gifu's First] Senior-led "Omusubi Shokudo" Born in Gifu City. "Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD" Opens April 3!
G-Ba Co., Ltd. has opened "Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD" in partnership with Next Nawa, a local firm with a 78-year history. This senior-led eatery aims to create a community hub and provide meaningful employment for the elderly through traditional home-style cooking.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 19:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 13:00 (1434h 0m after Published)
## Senior-Led "Omusubi Shokudo" Arrives in Gifu
G-Ba Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tomiya City, Miyagi; CEO: Kenta Nagano) is promoting the expansion of "G-Ba FOOD," an initiative where seniors take center stage as creators of food, across 1,889 municipalities in Japan.
On April 3, 2026, the first partnership store in Gifu Prefecture, "Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD," opened in Kagamishima, Gifu City.
### Local Partnership for Regional Revitalization
The partner company is Next Nawa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gifu City, Gifu; CEO: Takatoshi Nawa), a firm that has supported local living through home renovations and energy services since 1948. Based on the concept of "nurturing future living" proposed by their architectural office, Maruho Design, local senior members will welcome customers with heartwarming meals, including onigiri (rice balls) hand-pressed with love upon ordering and pork soup (tonjiru) rich with Gifu vegetables.
### Sustainable Business Model for an Aging Society
G-Ba FOOD started in Miyagi Prefecture and has a track record of 344 participating seniors. G-Ba is now expanding this "sustainable operation model that balances reproducibility and profitability" nationwide with local partners. They aim to realize a society where every senior can play a leading role, starting from Gifu.
### Shop Overview: Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD
This is Gifu's first partnership model where Next Nawa leads the business and G-Ba provides operational know-how and human resource development. By combining Next Nawa's long-standing trust with regional residents and G-Ba's system for seniors to shine, they aim to create a multi-generational community hub beyond just a restaurant.
* **Name:** Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD
* **Open Date:** April 3, 2026
* **Location:** 1F COLON, 2-7-17 Kagamishima-nishi, Gifu City, Gifu
* **Hours:** 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
* **Closed:** Wednesdays & Sundays
### Featured Menu
Using strictly selected Gifu ingredients, the shop offers "Ichiju Issai" (one soup, one side) sets infused with the wisdom and love of the senior generation.
* 1 Omusubi Set: 660 yen (tax incl.)
* 2 Omusubi Set: 880 yen (tax incl.)
* Single Omusubi: Starting from 250 yen (tax incl.)
### Comment from Next Nawa CEO, Takatoshi Nawa
"The reason I resonate with G-Ba FOOD is that it utilizes the senior generation as 'Senior Players' to create new communities. While regional connections are weakening, I am confident that creating a place for mutual support can solve issues like vacant houses and caregiving-related job departures. I want to leave a valuable region for our children and solve social issues together with the wisdom of seniors."
### Future Nationwide Expansion
G-Ba is accelerating partnerships with regional companies. Currently, expansion has been confirmed in 70 regions across Japan, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
G-Ba Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tomiya City, Miyagi; CEO: Kenta Nagano) is promoting the expansion of "G-Ba FOOD," an initiative where seniors take center stage as creators of food, across 1,889 municipalities in Japan.
On April 3, 2026, the first partnership store in Gifu Prefecture, "Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD," opened in Kagamishima, Gifu City.
### Local Partnership for Regional Revitalization
The partner company is Next Nawa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gifu City, Gifu; CEO: Takatoshi Nawa), a firm that has supported local living through home renovations and energy services since 1948. Based on the concept of "nurturing future living" proposed by their architectural office, Maruho Design, local senior members will welcome customers with heartwarming meals, including onigiri (rice balls) hand-pressed with love upon ordering and pork soup (tonjiru) rich with Gifu vegetables.
### Sustainable Business Model for an Aging Society
G-Ba FOOD started in Miyagi Prefecture and has a track record of 344 participating seniors. G-Ba is now expanding this "sustainable operation model that balances reproducibility and profitability" nationwide with local partners. They aim to realize a society where every senior can play a leading role, starting from Gifu.
### Shop Overview: Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD
This is Gifu's first partnership model where Next Nawa leads the business and G-Ba provides operational know-how and human resource development. By combining Next Nawa's long-standing trust with regional residents and G-Ba's system for seniors to shine, they aim to create a multi-generational community hub beyond just a restaurant.
* **Name:** Gifu Machinaka Shokudo by G-Ba FOOD
* **Open Date:** April 3, 2026
* **Location:** 1F COLON, 2-7-17 Kagamishima-nishi, Gifu City, Gifu
* **Hours:** 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
* **Closed:** Wednesdays & Sundays
### Featured Menu
Using strictly selected Gifu ingredients, the shop offers "Ichiju Issai" (one soup, one side) sets infused with the wisdom and love of the senior generation.
* 1 Omusubi Set: 660 yen (tax incl.)
* 2 Omusubi Set: 880 yen (tax incl.)
* Single Omusubi: Starting from 250 yen (tax incl.)
### Comment from Next Nawa CEO, Takatoshi Nawa
"The reason I resonate with G-Ba FOOD is that it utilizes the senior generation as 'Senior Players' to create new communities. While regional connections are weakening, I am confident that creating a place for mutual support can solve issues like vacant houses and caregiving-related job departures. I want to leave a valuable region for our children and solve social issues together with the wisdom of seniors."
### Future Nationwide Expansion
G-Ba is accelerating partnerships with regional companies. Currently, expansion has been confirmed in 70 regions across Japan, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
FAQ
What kind of business is G-Ba FOOD?
It is a business where seniors act as meal creators, providing warm food to the community while gaining a sense of purpose and income.
What are the features of Gifu Machinaka Shokudo?
Operated by the local legacy firm Next Nawa, it features handmade rice balls pressed by seniors and pork soup using local Gifu ingredients.
What are the plans for future nationwide expansion?
Expansion into 70 regions is currently confirmed, with plans to open sequentially from Hokkaido to Kyushu.