Giving people and the future the power to continue.

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.

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We are currently operating at a loss.

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.

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.

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Good Neighbors Community Member (Supporter) SystemWe have created the Good Neighbors Community Club system, which costs 1,000 yen per month. This is a membership system that supports Good Neighbors, separate from the Good Neighbors Club, which costs 5,000 yen per month and can be used for coworking, classes, and workshops. Community members can participate in various events exclusive to community members. In addition, a wooden plaque will be installed next to the entrance to Good Neighbors from December 2019. Your name will be written on it. You can also use the tourist parking lot on Lopez Street in front of Onjuku Station by contacting us in advance. We look forward to your membership registration.