Giving people and the future the power to continue.
Policy consulting firm & PR agency
MISSION
A sustainable town.
Our "head office" is in Onjuku, a small town with a population of about 7,000 people, which has the highest aging rate in Chiba Prefecture. Even just in the countryside, it is only 80 minutes to Tokyo without transfers, so it is not inconvenient at all, and it is rich in resources such as satoyama and crystal clear seas, but it is suffering from population decline and aging. With only about 30 newborns recently, we are working to make the town a place where the three generations of the population are equal and where it is fun to live and work.
VISION
Many people move to Onjuku after retiring from the city , but moving to a place where they don't know anyone often means they end up "alone," making their precious life in Onjuku lonely. Because it is a town with a small population, it should be possible to create a town where no one is left behind.
We are taking on this challenge in a town of about 7,000 people.
Creating a regional base
A place where everyone can gather without discrimination.
Even though we moved to Onjuku, we didn't know many people and spent our time feeling lonely. We had always lived in Onjuku, but everyone had moved to the city center. We wanted to make the time we spent in Onjuku more enjoyable. A place where everyone who lives, works, or visits this town could gather. And so that everyone could get to know this town and have a place in it, we decided to open a community cafe called "Good Neighbors." We decided to use a vacant store in front of the station, as it is an easy place to gather and serves as the entrance to the town.
Volunteers from within and outside the town gathered.
Although the government sometimes provides subsidies for the construction of facilities equivalent to public facilities such as community centers, we do not use any tax money, and instead build and operate our bases with money we have saved for the community, the help of volunteers, and donations from all over the country. To realize a sustainable society, it is ideal for these facilities to be operated through self-help and mutual aid. Also, not using tax money allows for a high degree of freedom, and it is possible to operate the facility through independent business income. We spent six months doing DIY renovations on a vacant house that had been abandoned for over 10 years, starting from a state with no electricity or running water.
Paint
The exterior of the building had been vacant for over 10 years and was in a very bad condition, so painting it was quite a challenge.
Industrial waste
Since it was originally a burger shop, it cost money to dispose of industrial waste, including oil stains.
Termites
Many parts of the foundation had been damaged by termites, so we replaced most of the walls and reinforced the foundation.
The bathroom is also DIY
Western-style restrooms are essential for a place where everyone can gather. We built these restrooms with the help of volunteers and local businesses working pro bono.
A place where everyone can gather without discrimination.
In November 2017, Good Neighbors, a local hub, opened in front of Onjuku Station.
The outside space is used as a coffee stand, an accessory shop, and a direct sales space for local farmers, while the inside has a license to operate a coffee shop, and also serves as a cafe space. There is also a co-working space.
In order to create an opportunity for people to drop by casually, we started providing copy services, joined the Sotobo Cycle Supporters Association, and installed bicycle racks, etc. We continue to make improvements every day as we operate.
We are currently operating at a loss.
Rent, utility bills, facility maintenance, and of course the money spent on collection work up to now. We are still operating at a loss. We operate with money saved from PR support projects, donations, and beverage sales, but we are feeling the difficulties of operating a space in an area with no people. Ideally, we would have to employ paid staff. We are operating day by day, feeling our way through how we can make our facility sustainable, aiming to become a model community cafe facility in depopulated areas that is maintained by independent business income. We aim to be in the black by 2020.
WELCOME
We look forward to seeing you all.
We look forward to seeing you.
Closed: Every Tuesday, Thursday, 2nd and 4th Monday of the month
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (7:00-20:00 on Wednesdays)
Phone: 0470-64-6742
Parking: We operate a parking lot for tourists (20 spaces) on Lopez Street diagonally in front of the building. It is free for all visitors to Good Neighbors. Please feel free to use it.
We receive visits from all over the country to Good Neighbors, our base in the Onjuku area. We also receive visits by tour bus, and we work with the Social Welfare Council and the community center to respond to your requests, so please feel free to contact us. We may also be closed on days other than our regular holidays due to participation in local events or business trips. If you plan to come in person, please call us in advance to confirm.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
We sincerely ask for your cooperation.
[Community Member System]
We have created a Good Neighbors Community Membership System for 1,000 yen per month. This is a membership system that supports Good Neighbors, separate from the Good Neighbors Club, which can be used for coworking and classes/workshops for 5,000 yen per month. Community members can participate in various events exclusive to community members. Also, from December 2019, a wooden plaque will be installed next to the entrance of Good Neighbors. Your name will be written on it. Also, by contacting us in advance, you can use the tourist parking lot on Lopez Street in front of Onjuku Station on a priority basis. We look forward to your membership registration.
[How to register]
After registering as a member, you can register by selecting Good Neighbors Community Member and entering your credit card information. (This takes about 3 minutes.) If you do not have a credit card, we apologize for the inconvenience, but we ask that you apply directly at Good Neighbors.