🌳 Omoken Park - An oasis in the city of Kamitori, Kumamoto

A veranda in the city, a cafe and multi-purpose plaza connected to the sky ⸻ 📝What kind of place is it? A social design park opened in 2019 on the site of an old building destroyed in the Aso earthquake. Designed by architect Toru Yabashi, the semi-outdoor space, consisting of a wooden shed with a total floor area of approximately 48 m2 and a rooftop terrace, is integrated with the arcade of the shopping street. The glass walls, open structure without a ceiling, and the space created by Aso's Oguni cedar CLT give the feeling of a cozy "veranda" where nature and people can interact gently. • There is a hand pump well, embodying the culture of Kumamoto as a "water town"  • The barrier-free design makes it easy for anyone to drop in, and is also considerate for strollers, wheelchairs, and the elderly  • A variety of events, pop-ups, and student workshops are held, making it a community hub that connects the local area with people  ⸻ 📌Basic information • Address: 7-7-1 Kamitori-cho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture (inside Kamitori Arcade)  • Business hours: Mon., Wed., Thu., Fri., Sun. 11:00–18:00, Sat. 11:00–19:00, closed on Tuesdays (occasionally extended business hours for events)  • Payment: Credit card, electronic money, and QR payment accepted  • Number of seats and facilities: Glass counter and table seats, rooftop balcony. Completely non-smoking  ⸻ 🎯Recommended points • Fragrant coffee & homemade cakes: Uses roasted beans selected by staff, and seasonal desserts are also popular. Pistachio pound cake and homemade cakes are a perfect match  • Relax in the “engawa” space: The ceiling-free engawa terrace and spatial design make for an open, relaxing and soothing cafe time  • Functions as a place for events and exchanges: Art exhibitions, pop-up shops, music and workshops are held irregularly, and it is also attracting attention as a place to disseminate local culture  ⸻ 🏷️Hashtags #Omoken Park #OMOKENPARK #Kumamoto Cafe #Kamidori Engawa #CLT Architecture #Engawa Cafe #Social Design #Kumamoto Earthquake Reconstruction #Seasonal Cakes #Absolutely Free Trip