Reviving the Edo Road with Vibrancy. A 'Town Revitalization Hub' Starring the Town's Elderly and People with Disabilities Opens in Kuju, Oita Prefecture
A new Type B employment support facility, including a farm restaurant and sweets shop, is opening in the historic post town of Kuju, Oita Prefecture, on April 15, 2026. Operated by Hakuai-kai Social Welfare Corporation, the project aims to revitalize the town by providing employment and a gathering place for the elderly and people with disabilities, fostering community interaction and preserving local food culture. The facility is designed as an open space for everyone, including tourists and locals, to gather and contribute to the town's revival.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 18:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 10:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 12:59 (242h 59m after Collected)
We want to bring back the "vibrancy" to this post town, once a place where people and culture flowed. The main characters are the town's elderly and people with disabilities.
Hakuai-kai Social Welfare Corporation (Oita City: Chairman Takashi Kugiomiya), celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of its welfare farm colony Kuju, will open "Yamadayama," a farm restaurant, and "Shirataniya," a sweets shop, as new Type B employment support facilities in the former post town of Kuju-juku along the Higo Kaido (Bungo Kaido), on April 15, Reiwa 8 (2026).
This project was developed as part of the "Post Town Revitalization and Hub Creation Project," which was selected as a "Housing Environment Improvement Model Project" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The Present State of Kuju, a Historic Post Town
Kuju prospered as a strategic point on the Higo Kaido, connecting Kumamoto and Bungo. It is a historic place that was frequented by Katō Kiyomasa, the Hosokawa clan during their sankin-kōtai (alternate attendance), and even Ryōma Sakamoto and Kaishū Katsu.
However, its former glory has faded, and depopulation and an aging population are advancing.
Welfare Drives the Town
Therefore, Hakuai-kai developed a new hub at this location based on the idea that "welfare is not just about being supported, but also a driving force for the town."
Experience the Region's "Food"
At the farm restaurant "Yamadayama," we offer an all-you-can-eat selection of obanzai (traditional Kyoto-style home cooking) seasoned by local grandmothers, using local vegetables, wild plants, shiitake mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.
At the sweets shop "Shirataniya," you can savor the local food culture that has been passed down through generations, with sake lees buns made from "Kuju Senbazuru" sake from the town's sake brewery, and botamochi made using traditional methods.
The Scene of Working Together
The employees here are the elderly and people with disabilities from the region. Each participates in the operation of the shops at their own comfortable pace, creating a scene of "working together" across generations and positions.
Commons "Salon Jiyudo"
Inside the facility, there is also a commons area, "Salon Jiyudo," which is open to the public for free.
Children do their homework, locals chat, and travelers stop by. Such casual moments will become new value for this town.
An "Open Place" for Everyone
The parking lot, restrooms, and rice polishing station are also open to the community, designed as an "open place" that can be used by anyone, whether tourists or locals. It will also function as a base for free transportation for the elderly by NPO KUKULU, playing a role in supporting regional mobility and daily life.
Space Design
The building for this project was designed by Katsuya Sato, an architect skilled in town development. The shop design was handled by Kenji Osanai of Osanai Design Office, who also worked on Kiki Terrace.
Designed beyond the scope of a welfare facility as a "space where people want to stay," it has created a place where people naturally gather and relationships form.
What This Place Aims For
This is not just a welfare facility. It is a place where the town comes to life as people gather.
People with disabilities, the elderly, children, tourists. When people from different walks of life gather in the same place and spend time together, the town will start moving again.
The Edo road is revived by welfare. Such new town development begins in Kuju.
Opening Overview
Restaurant "Yamadayama" / Sweets Shop "Shirataniya"
Opening Date: April 15, Reiwa 8 (2026) (Wednesday) 11:00 AM~
Location: 6113 Kuju, Kuju-machi, Takeda City, Oita Prefecture
Parking: 26 spaces
Inquiries
Hakuai-kai Social Welfare Corporation
TEL: 097-586-6121
Hakuai-kai Social Welfare Corporation (Oita City: Chairman Takashi Kugiomiya), celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of its welfare farm colony Kuju, will open "Yamadayama," a farm restaurant, and "Shirataniya," a sweets shop, as new Type B employment support facilities in the former post town of Kuju-juku along the Higo Kaido (Bungo Kaido), on April 15, Reiwa 8 (2026).
This project was developed as part of the "Post Town Revitalization and Hub Creation Project," which was selected as a "Housing Environment Improvement Model Project" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The Present State of Kuju, a Historic Post Town
Kuju prospered as a strategic point on the Higo Kaido, connecting Kumamoto and Bungo. It is a historic place that was frequented by Katō Kiyomasa, the Hosokawa clan during their sankin-kōtai (alternate attendance), and even Ryōma Sakamoto and Kaishū Katsu.
However, its former glory has faded, and depopulation and an aging population are advancing.
Welfare Drives the Town
Therefore, Hakuai-kai developed a new hub at this location based on the idea that "welfare is not just about being supported, but also a driving force for the town."
Experience the Region's "Food"
At the farm restaurant "Yamadayama," we offer an all-you-can-eat selection of obanzai (traditional Kyoto-style home cooking) seasoned by local grandmothers, using local vegetables, wild plants, shiitake mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.
At the sweets shop "Shirataniya," you can savor the local food culture that has been passed down through generations, with sake lees buns made from "Kuju Senbazuru" sake from the town's sake brewery, and botamochi made using traditional methods.
The Scene of Working Together
The employees here are the elderly and people with disabilities from the region. Each participates in the operation of the shops at their own comfortable pace, creating a scene of "working together" across generations and positions.
Commons "Salon Jiyudo"
Inside the facility, there is also a commons area, "Salon Jiyudo," which is open to the public for free.
Children do their homework, locals chat, and travelers stop by. Such casual moments will become new value for this town.
An "Open Place" for Everyone
The parking lot, restrooms, and rice polishing station are also open to the community, designed as an "open place" that can be used by anyone, whether tourists or locals. It will also function as a base for free transportation for the elderly by NPO KUKULU, playing a role in supporting regional mobility and daily life.
Space Design
The building for this project was designed by Katsuya Sato, an architect skilled in town development. The shop design was handled by Kenji Osanai of Osanai Design Office, who also worked on Kiki Terrace.
Designed beyond the scope of a welfare facility as a "space where people want to stay," it has created a place where people naturally gather and relationships form.
What This Place Aims For
This is not just a welfare facility. It is a place where the town comes to life as people gather.
People with disabilities, the elderly, children, tourists. When people from different walks of life gather in the same place and spend time together, the town will start moving again.
The Edo road is revived by welfare. Such new town development begins in Kuju.
Opening Overview
Restaurant "Yamadayama" / Sweets Shop "Shirataniya"
Opening Date: April 15, Reiwa 8 (2026) (Wednesday) 11:00 AM~
Location: 6113 Kuju, Kuju-machi, Takeda City, Oita Prefecture
Parking: 26 spaces
Inquiries
Hakuai-kai Social Welfare Corporation
TEL: 097-586-6121