With the diversification of working styles, coworking spaces are opening one after another in Kurashiki City. Some are inside buildings, while others are renovated traditional houses, and each has its own distinct features. Do people choose where to go based on the location, facilities, atmosphere, and other factors?
Among the wide variety of facilities, a unique coworking space unlike any other opened in November 2023. It has the unusual distinction of operating only at night. Its location is unexpected, too: it opened on the grounds of an astronomical observatory.
We visited “Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory,” a welcome option for people who want to work somewhere other than home at night.
The information presented was current when this article was published in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory
Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory, home to Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory (ASTRO), is Japan’s first privately operated astronomical observatory. It was established in 1926 by Hara Sumiji, the former mayor of Kurashiki Town. The observatory’s director was Honda Minoru, a world-renowned amateur astronomer. He discovered many comets and novae here.
The observatory building, with its five-meter dome, is open to the public as the Sumiji Hara & Minoru Honda Memorial Museum. On the second floor, a 32-centimeter reflecting telescope purchased from Britain when the observatory was established is on display.
The home of Honda, also on the grounds, is now the cafe “Hoshi no Hikari no Sumiwatari.” The cafe is bustling with visitors every day.
The interior is filled with books and ornaments related to astronomy. Its design creates an otherworldly atmosphere, making it an exciting space even for people who aren’t interested in astronomy.
The building serves as a cafe during the day, then transforms into ASTRO at night. The atmosphere changes completely, making the appeal of astronomy even more palpable.
Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory
There are three rooms that can be used as coworking spaces. Here’s an introduction to each.
Rooms
The room closest to the entrance is surrounded by books about astronomy. When it gets dark, the lighting evokes the world of astronomy even more. The tables are at a comfortable height for working on a computer or writing.
There was a moon ornament. During the day, with its light off, it looks like a white round ornament, but at night you can tell at a glance that it’s the moon.
There is also a room with a sofa and low table. This seating may be better suited to meetings than to working. Sitting on the sofa rather than at the table may help you relax and make conversation flow. Talking is allowed at ASTRO, so meetings are fine. Wi-Fi is available, making it easy to hold online meetings, too.
Opposite the sofa seating is a long, narrow room. It is narrower and more enclosed than the two spaces introduced earlier, so it is recommended for people who want to improve their concentration.
There are low tables and counter seating built along the wall. The layout also blocks the view from the other rooms, making it easier to focus without being distracted by others.
Observation Room
People using ASTRO can also enter the Observation Room in a separate building. It is not a place to work, but rather somewhere to take a break. With the hope that “when you’re tired of work, you can look at the stars and refresh yourself,” it is available at no extra charge.
The Observation Room is usually closed, so ask the manager, Jordan, when you want to use it. He can also explain the stars.
Spend your time as you like, gazing at the starry sky or observing through a telescope. It’s a delightful service unique to an astronomical observatory.
Trying it out
I worked at ASTRO. The atmosphere is completely different from that of the cafe during the day, with a calm, relaxing feel at night.
An environment conducive to focused work
I feel most comfortable in small, dimly lit spaces, so I went to the long, narrow room and chose a table at the very back.
The minimal lighting limits your field of vision, creating an environment that makes it easy to concentrate. The work surface is well lit, so there’s no problem getting work done.
Extension cords are available to borrow, so you can plug in no matter where you sit. It’s nice to be able to choose a seat based on location without worrying about finding an outlet.
As someone who usually works from home, I also appreciated the lack of distractions. Working in such a stylish space gave me an extra boost of motivation. It seems that working in a place where you think, “I love this place!” can be effective. I realized that work and a good environment are closely connected to motivation.
Take a break in the observation room
Since I was there, they also showed me the observation room. The building has a curved ceiling, and the room is one open space with no partitions.
To observe the stars, the ceiling is opened by sliding it manually. As the heavy ceiling moved slowly and the starry sky came into view, I couldn’t help exclaiming, “Wow!”
I couldn’t capture it well in the photos, but there were shining stars all around, in addition to the moon. It was the first time I realized you could see stars even in central Kurashiki.
There are two telescopes. Mr. Jordan adjusts the focus in advance, so it’s easy to observe the stars.
First, I looked at the moon through the first telescope. I could clearly make out the craters. It felt more impressive than the familiar moon we usually see.
I looked at Saturn through the other telescope. Saturn’s rings were clearly visible, and once again I couldn’t help exclaiming, “Wow!”
I often gaze at the night sky, but seeing things invisible to the naked eye feels special. I also experienced the feeling of being close to the universe, something I don’t usually think about in everyday life. It was the perfect service for taking a break from work.
I never imagined you could observe stars right in central Kurashiki—and during a break from work, no less. It’s a special experience you can only have at ASTRO.
We spoke with Mr. Jordan, the manager who runs the one-of-a-kind ASTRO, about what inspired him to open the coworking space and how he hopes people will use it.
Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory Information
| Name | Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-19-10 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-2805-4418 |
| Parking | Available 8 spaces in front of Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory |
| Hours | 5:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m. ※Phone inquiries: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Fees (tax included) | ¥500 per hour, ¥1,500 per day |
| Payment methods |
|
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Power outlets | Available Multi-outlet adapters available to borrow |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory |
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