When you think of coworking spaces, you might picture long desks in office buildings. That’s the image, right?
That’s fine, but sometimes a different atmosphere can help you concentrate.
How about a somewhat unusual coworking space?
The image of Kurashiki, where the Bikan Historical Area is located, is certainly of old townscapes and buildings.
Near the Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki, there is a coworking space and satellite office that utilizes a traditional house.
Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie Bunbuku is a facility that opened in 2018 as a telework base.
Bunbuku's charm lies in the calm atmosphere unique to traditional houses, where you can work or hold meetings.
The gentle sunlight streaming into the room creates a warm and relaxing mood.
Moreover, working on tatami mats brings a different kind of tension compared to sitting in a chair, allowing for deep focus on tasks.
Additionally, Bunbuku's proximity to the tourist area of the Bikan Historical Area is a plus.
It’s convenient for when you want to work in between your travels, as you can easily stop by to get some work done.
Furthermore, Bunbuku attracts a variety of users.
The ease of communication among users is also a unique feature of a facility that uses a traditional house.
From the communication among users, new ideas may emerge.
Here, I will introduce Bunbuku, a facility that is both old and new.
What is Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie Bunbuku? A coworking space using the traditional house "Former Asano Residence" built in 1926
A coworking space and satellite office using a traditional house built about 90 years ago.
The traditional house used is the Former Asano Residence.
It was built in 1926 as the residence of Asano Benjiro.
Bunbuku is a renovated space of a traditional house, so the exterior looks just like a private home.
At first glance, it doesn’t look like a coworking space.
Bunbuku is located on the west side of the central street of the Bikan Historical Area, conveniently situated just south of the Kurashiki City Art Museum and library.
Bunbuku opened in March 2018.
It was opened with the concept of being a "telework base unique to Kurashiki using a traditional house" by the Takahashi River Basin Telework Promotion Consortium.
The Takahashi River Basin Telework Promotion Consortium is an organization composed of Kurashiki City, Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, the Japan Telework Association, and the Takahashi River Presenter Association.
The name "Bunbuku" is derived from a tanuki (raccoon dog) ornament from the story "Bunbuku Chagama" that was stored inside the traditional house.
Additionally, "Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie" refers to the fact that the former town name of the location is Sumiyoshi-cho.
The Takahashi River Presenter Association, which operates Bunbuku, was awarded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Chugoku Bureau of Telecommunications in June 2019 for contributing to the development of radio utilization and information communication in the Chugoku region.
Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie Bunbuku can be used for work, study, meetings, and seminars
Bunbuku can be used in various ways.
- A workplace for teleworking
- A workplace for freelancers
- A place for studying
- A seminar venue
- A meeting place for work
- A place for conferences
The ability to use it according to your work style and lifestyle is one of Bunbuku's attractions.
Usage fees for Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie Bunbuku
The usage fees for Bunbuku are available in two patterns: temporary use for morning and afternoon, and all-day use.
In both cases, a fee is required for each user.
| Usage Method | Usage Time | Fee (including tax) |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Use | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | 500 yen |
| All-Day Use | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 1,000 yen |
Bunbuku's operating hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
However, it can be used if there is a reservation, so please consult.
Reservations can be made one month in advance.
Introduction of the rooms in Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie Bunbuku
Bunbuku has a total of four spaces: two on the first floor and two on the second floor.
In all cases, you take off your shoes at the entrance, allowing you to relax while working or studying.
I thought it was quite rare since typical coworking spaces are often in office buildings.
It feels like being in your own home or a relative's house.
▼ The space on the south side of the first floor is the size of two rooms.
There are two large work desks, allowing for comfortable work.
There is also a large TV that can be used for remote meetings.
In addition to being used as a coworking space, it is also ideal for meetings with a larger number of people.
▼ The space on the north side of the first floor is a bit cozier.
This space is suitable for small group work or meetings, designed for rental conference rooms.
Although it is intended for rental conference rooms, it can also be used as a coworking space.
▼ The stairs leading to the second floor are also traditional. Be careful as you go up and down.
▼ The space on the south side of the second floor is spacious, equivalent to two rooms.
This space can also be used as a communication room, conference room, or training space.
Of course, you can also work as a coworking space.
Light streams in through the windows, brightening the room.
Being able to work or hold meetings under soft natural light is an attraction not found in typical coworking spaces.
▼ Sitting on tatami mats to work allows for a calming atmosphere.
It seems suitable for holding meetings or seminars with a large number of participants.
▼ In the tokonoma (alcove), there was a hanging scroll presented to Mr. Asano by Inukai Tsuyoshi.
▼ There is also a space on the north side of the second floor.
This space is intended as a "rental studio," but it can usually be used as a coworking space.
Inside the room, there was a desk for six people.
Since it is a north-facing room, it is not too bright, making it suitable for when you want to focus on your work.
Main facilities available at Sumiyoshi-cho no Ie Bunbuku
Bunbuku is well-equipped.
Users can utilize various facilities.
- Web conferencing system
- Projector
- 100-inch screen
- 65-inch 4K LCD monitor
- Free Wi-Fi
- Rental PC
- Copy machine (10 yen per black and white page, 50 yen per color page)
- Drinks (300 yen per cup)
If you want to use any of the facilities, please ask the staff.
Lunch available only on Tuesdays
At Bunbuku, you can enjoy lunch available only on Tuesdays.
Lunch starts at 11:30 AM and costs 850 yen (including tax) per meal.
For an additional 300 yen (including tax), you can get coffee.
▼ On Tuesdays, a lunch notice is posted at the entrance of Bunbuku, so please use it as a landmark.
The lunch on the day of the interview was as follows:
- Choice of main (fried mackerel or lotus root croquette)
- Consommé soup with new onions and spring cabbage
- Welsh onion salad
- Stir-fried takana and fried tofu
- Rice
- Pickles
▼ This is the lunch with the main dish as a lotus root croquette.
▼This is a lunch with the main dish being fried mackerel.
This volume for 850 yen feels very worthwhile.
Please be sure to try it when you visit on a Tuesday.
The lunch at Bunkyu is prepared by a shop called Mamma Cafe.
Mamma Cafe operates on the following schedule and locations.
| Date | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Every Tuesday | Sumiyoshi-cho House Bunkyu | 2-13-3 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Every 3rd and 4th Sunday of the month | Kurashiki Machiya Trust Office | 1-21 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City |
| Irregular | Tamashima Community Exchange Center Cafe WAON | 1-10-1 Agasaki, Tamashima, Kurashiki City |
| Every 2nd Sunday of the month (Only rice porridge) | Tamashima Minato Morning Market | Shopping district around Tamashima Chuo-cho, Kurashiki City |
Please be sure to check it out.
How to Use Sumiyoshi-cho House Bunkyu
First, make a reservation from the website
To use Bunkyu, you need to make a reservation in advance.
Reservations should be made by the day before the usage date.
Reservations can be made one month in advance.
Please find the desired date and space from the reservation page on the official site.
If available, fill in the required items and submit.
After a while, you will receive a reply to the email address you entered, so please confirm that your reservation has been made.
Visit Bunkyu a little before your reservation time
Make sure to arrive at Bunkyu in time for your reservation.
It looks just like a private house, so the way to enter is the same as entering a private house.
▼First, pass through the gate and head for the entrance.
▼Open the entrance door. It opens sideways.
▼Then you will find the entrance.
Once inside, greet with "Excuse me."
▼The staff will come out and guide you.
Take off your shoes at the entrance and follow the staff's guidance.
If you are using it for the second time or more, you can head straight to the space you want to use.
Register as a user on your first visit
▼At Bunkyu, user registration is required on your first visit.
▼You will receive an explanation of how to use Bunkyu from the staff and fill in the required items.
Since the first visit requires time for explanation and registration, it is recommended to arrive a little earlier than the start time.
Once user registration is complete, move to the space you want to use and start your work, study, or meeting.
Sumiyoshi-cho House Bunkyu is a new type of telework base that incorporates the charm of Kurashiki's old houses.
We spoke with Hiroshi Sakanoue, the representative of Takahashi River Presenter Association, which operates Bunkyu.
Data on Sumiyoshi-cho House Bunkyu
| Name | Sumiyoshi-cho House Bunkyu |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-13-3 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-527-6248 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Closed | Sunday, Public Holidays Open on holidays if there are reservations or events |
| Usage Fee (Tax Included) | Temporary Use: 500 yen for one session in the morning/afternoon All-day Use: 1,000 yen for one day |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes Online reservations available (Reservation Form) Reservations should be made by the day before the usage date Generally, reservations can be made from one month in advance (consultation possible even earlier for events) |
| Wi-Fi | Available No additional charge for use |
| Power Supply | Available No additional charge for use |
| Available Equipment | Web conferencing system Projector 100-inch screen 65-inch 4K LCD monitor Rental PC Copy machine |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Childcare services available during events (for a fee, please consult in advance) |
| Barrier-Free | There are stairs and steps inside the building |
| Website | Bunkyu | Kurashiki's New Satellite Office & Co-Working Space |
