[Held on Monday, November 23] Soja City Children's Cafeteria Charity Piano Concert ～ Supporting Children's Futures Through Music

I want children to experience real music.

With that in mind, the “Soja City Children’s Cafeteria Charity Piano Concert” was held for the first time in 2025, drawing many people, from young children to adults. I also attended and felt the live performance resonate in my heart.

The second concert will be held on Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday) at Chuppy Hall in Soja City Hall.

As at the previous concert, pianist Yamanaka Asuna will perform. A keynote address by Soja City Mayor Kataoka Soichi is also planned.

This article introduces the concert and explores the organizers’ hopes for continuing to hold it, as shared with us by Tetsuya Morikawa, representative of the voluntary group Kuuneru Asobu.

About the Soja City Children’s Cafeteria Charity Piano Concert

The Soja City Children’s Cafeteria Charity Piano Concert is held to give children cultural experiences through music, as well as to raise awareness of children’s cafeterias in Soja City and broaden the circle of support.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. Admission is free, and seating is unreserved.
No advance registration is required, and there is no age limit, so everyone from children to adults can attend.

At the first concert, some children were seen listening while swaying to the rhythm. A mother who had come with her five-year-old said, “I was worried about whether it would be okay to bring my child, but seeing them listening so happily was soothing for me, too.”

A donation box will be set up at the venue. All donations collected will be given to the 10 children’s cafeterias in Soja City and are expected to help cover activity costs, including food purchases, venue fees, and insurance.

In addition, Soja City Mayor Kataoka Soichi will give a keynote address on the theme of child-rearing.

Pianist Yamanaka Asuna

As at the first concert, pianist Yamanaka Asuna will perform.

Yamanaka has won and placed in competitions in Japan and abroad, and has enjoyed a wide-ranging career, including receiving the Okayama Prefecture Arts Encouragement Award.

She has also performed overseas, including in France and Italy, and has released two CDs to date. In addition to performing, she currently devotes herself to teaching the next generation.

At the first concert, Yamanaka said that attending a piano concert with her mother when she was three had led to her current career. She told the audience that she would be happy if that day’s concert could also become an opportunity that inspires children to pursue their dreams. Her words have stayed with me.

This year (2026), a different program has been prepared, so even those who heard last year’s (2025) performance can look forward to enjoying something new.

About the organizer

The concert is organized by Tetsuya Morikawa, representative of the voluntary group Kuuneru Asobu.

On the fourth or fifth Sunday of every month, Morikawa runs a children’s cafeteria in Soja City called “Soja Cafeteria Kuuneru Asobu.”

Through activities such as distributing boxed meals and bags of donated goods, the children’s cafeteria works to create a welcoming place where children and local residents can gather with peace of mind.

High school and university students, as well as local volunteers, take part in the activities. The circle of involvement is growing, with younger generations beginning to come up with ideas and take part in running the program themselves.

Interview with organizer Tetsuya Morikawa

We spoke with Morikawa about his thoughts behind this year’s (2026) concert and community support, looking back on the 2025 event.

Looking back on the first concert

How did you feel after holding the charity piano concert for the first time last year (2025)?

Morikawa (surname only)

In 2025, many children and families came, and the concert was very well received.
This year (2026), I hope children of a wide range of ages, including elementary, middle, and high school students, will come.

To that end, we’re distributing flyers to schools, preschools, Community Centers, and other places, and making preparations so that as many people as possible hear about it.

What made you decide to hold the concert again in 2026?

Morikawa

Above all, it’s because I want to continue creating opportunities for children to experience culture. At the same time, I want many more people to learn about the children’s cafeterias in Soja City.

The number of children’s cafeterias in the city has grown from nine at the time of the previous concert to 10.
Keeping them running involves expenses such as food costs, and there are also calls for young staff to get involved.

Through the concert, I hope to encourage ongoing support for children’s cafeterias.

Bringing the power of music to children

Why did you ask Yamanaka Asuna to perform again this time?

Morikawa

First of all, I’m a fan of Yamanaka myself.
Listening to her perform made me realize just how great the power of music is. That’s why I want children to hear her play, too.

This concert might inspire a child to pursue a career in music, or it might spark an interest in something else, such as volunteering.
I’d be happy if it helped them take the first step toward starting something.

Community support for children’s cafeterias

Have you noticed any changes in your connections with the community through the children’s cafeteria’s regular activities?

Morikawa

Our connections have grown with parents and with companies and individuals who support us through donations and food. It’s also been significant to see high school and university student volunteers start thinking for themselves and taking initiative.

Thanks to the young staff taking an active role, I’ve also been able to spend more time talking with parents.

I feel that the children’s cafeteria has helped deepen conversations and exchange with people in the community.

A message to concertgoers

Finally, what message would you like to share with people considering attending the concert?

Morikawa

I hope you’ll experience the beauty of music by listening to Yamanaka play the piano, and that this concert will also help you learn about children’s cafeterias.
I’d love to see lots of young people there, too.

I hope that listening to the music leaves at least one thing in your heart.
I’d like to continue holding this concert every year so we can offer people that kind of experience.

From the Writer

At last year’s (2025) charity piano concert, high school student volunteers helped run the event.

What stayed with me was the high school student’s comment that they were interested in music and had volunteered at the concert.

I felt that not only listening to music but also taking part in supporting the concert had become a valuable experience for the children.

The charity piano concert is now entering its second year.
We hope that through music, children will be moved, and their interests and possibilities will expand once again.

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