Kushiro's Co-creation Hub "Minatomachi Base 946BANYA" Celebrates 3rd Anniversary. Over 600 Events Held, Nearing 30,000 Visitors.
Minatomachi Base 946BANYA, a co-creation space in Kushiro, Hokkaido, celebrates its 3rd anniversary since grand opening in April 2026. In three years, it has hosted over 600 events and is nearing 30,000 cumulative visitors. Usage by younger generations has rapidly increased, with student members reaching 50. To mark its 3rd anniversary, a commemorative event featuring regional revitalization expert Hitoshi Kinoshita will be held, alongside the adoption of student interns and a new operational structure with new staff. The hub will take further steps to nurture the region's future through both "digital" and "real" initiatives.
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- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:22 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 05:23 (221h 0m after Collected)
Hokkaido Design Code Inc. (Headquarters: Kushiro City, Hokkaido; Representative Director: Kotone Kimura) operates the co-creation space "Minatomachi Base 946BANYA" (hereinafter 946BANYA), which celebrated its 3rd anniversary since its grand opening in April 2026. In the three years since its opening, the cumulative number of events held has exceeded 600, and the cumulative number of visitors is rapidly approaching 30,000. In particular, the use by younger generations has rapidly increased, with student members reaching 50. To mark its 3rd anniversary, a commemorative event will be held inviting Hitoshi Kinoshita, a leading expert in regional revitalization, and a new system will be launched with the adoption of student interns and new operational staff. The hub will take further steps to nurture the region's future through both "digital" and "real" initiatives.
### ■ 3 Years of Achievements: The Overwhelming Enthusiasm and Expansion of "946BANYA" in Numbers
946BANYA has aimed to be a place where people of all generations and positions can share their wisdom, much like the "Banya," a traditional fisherman's hut. As it reaches its third year, this vision is clearly expanding, as shown by the numbers.
**Cumulative visitors nearing 30,000. A hub visited by 10,000 people annually.**
The number of cumulative visitors surpassed 10,000 in April 2024 and 20,000 in June 2025. In less than a year since then, the cumulative number of visitors is rapidly approaching 30,000. The annual number of users has exceeded 10,000, and it has grown into an indispensable infrastructure for daily life in the region.
**Over 600 cumulative events held. Weekend energy and a relaxed weekday routine.**
In three years, the number of events and projects held at 946BANYA has exceeded 600. While a variety of events are held mainly on weekends, weekdays see a quiet and warm atmosphere where general visitors enjoying 946BANYA's cafe menu and membership users spend their time as they please. This blend of vibrancy and tranquility is characteristic of 946BANYA's daily life.
**50 student members, 4 corporate sponsors. The depth of "co-creation" across generations.**
Currently, the number of registered student members (junior high, high school, and university students) has reached 50. Furthermore, the number of partner companies (corporate sponsors) supporting the activities has grown to 4, and the "co-creation cycle" where regional companies support the vitality of young people is beginning to show tangible results.
### ■ Launch of New System: A Place Where the Next Generation Grows and a New "Wind" Blows Through
To mark its 3rd anniversary, 946BANYA will update its operational structure and focus on building a deeper community.
**Youth as "operators": "Learning and Practice" through student intern adoption.**
Moving beyond merely being users of the space, 946BANYA has begun adopting paid student interns for the first time as a hub, creating a system where they can jointly take on operational roles. While assisting in the cafe and working as event staff, they naturally interact with adults in the region, providing a practical, open-ended learning environment where they collectively consider "how to utilize this space."
**A new "wind" for 946BANYA with new "operational staff."**
With the addition of new community staff (administrators), the operational structure has been strengthened. The inclusion of staff with new sensibilities and perspectives has led to an increase in diverse visitors and a more active exchange than ever before.
### ■ 3 Years of Achievements: The Overwhelming Enthusiasm and Expansion of "946BANYA" in Numbers
946BANYA has aimed to be a place where people of all generations and positions can share their wisdom, much like the "Banya," a traditional fisherman's hut. As it reaches its third year, this vision is clearly expanding, as shown by the numbers.
**Cumulative visitors nearing 30,000. A hub visited by 10,000 people annually.**
The number of cumulative visitors surpassed 10,000 in April 2024 and 20,000 in June 2025. In less than a year since then, the cumulative number of visitors is rapidly approaching 30,000. The annual number of users has exceeded 10,000, and it has grown into an indispensable infrastructure for daily life in the region.
**Over 600 cumulative events held. Weekend energy and a relaxed weekday routine.**
In three years, the number of events and projects held at 946BANYA has exceeded 600. While a variety of events are held mainly on weekends, weekdays see a quiet and warm atmosphere where general visitors enjoying 946BANYA's cafe menu and membership users spend their time as they please. This blend of vibrancy and tranquility is characteristic of 946BANYA's daily life.
**50 student members, 4 corporate sponsors. The depth of "co-creation" across generations.**
Currently, the number of registered student members (junior high, high school, and university students) has reached 50. Furthermore, the number of partner companies (corporate sponsors) supporting the activities has grown to 4, and the "co-creation cycle" where regional companies support the vitality of young people is beginning to show tangible results.
### ■ Launch of New System: A Place Where the Next Generation Grows and a New "Wind" Blows Through
To mark its 3rd anniversary, 946BANYA will update its operational structure and focus on building a deeper community.
**Youth as "operators": "Learning and Practice" through student intern adoption.**
Moving beyond merely being users of the space, 946BANYA has begun adopting paid student interns for the first time as a hub, creating a system where they can jointly take on operational roles. While assisting in the cafe and working as event staff, they naturally interact with adults in the region, providing a practical, open-ended learning environment where they collectively consider "how to utilize this space."
**A new "wind" for 946BANYA with new "operational staff."**
With the addition of new community staff (administrators), the operational structure has been strengthened. The inclusion of staff with new sensibilities and perspectives has led to an increase in diverse visitors and a more active exchange than ever before.