In recent times, with the diversification of work styles, coworking spaces have been emerging one after another in Kurashiki City. They vary greatly in characteristics, whether located in buildings or renovated traditional houses. Users likely decide where to go based on location, facilities, and atmosphere.
Among the diverse facilities, a unique coworking space that is unlike any other was established in November 2023. It operates only at night, which is quite rare. The location is also surprising, as it was built on the grounds of an astronomical observatory.
We covered "Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory," a place that is a perfect fit for those who want to work outside of home at night.
About Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory
Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory, where Coworking Space ASTRO (hereafter, ASTRO) is located, is Japan's first private astronomical observatory. It was established in 1926 by Sumiji Hara, a former mayor of Kurashiki. The observatory's director was Minoru Honda, a world-renowned amateur astronomer. He discovered many comets and novae in this area.
The observatory building, equipped with a 5-meter dome, is open to the public as the Sumiji Hara & Minoru Honda Memorial Museum. On the second floor, a 32cm reflecting telescope purchased from England at the time of the observatory's establishment is on display.
The residence of Mr. Honda, located on the same premises, has now become the café "Hoshi no Hikari no Sumiwatari". The café is bustling with many visitors every day.
Inside the café, there are many books and ornaments related to astronomy. The unique design allows even those who are not interested in astronomy to feel excited in this space.
This building, which is used as a café during the day, transforms into ASTRO at night. The atmosphere changes dramatically, allowing for a greater appreciation of astronomy.
The state of Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory
There are three rooms available for use as coworking spaces. Each will be introduced.
Rooms
The room closest to the entrance is surrounded by books related to astronomy. The lighting evokes the world of astronomy even more as it gets darker. The table is at a perfect height for computer work and writing.
A moon ornament was placed there. During the day, it appears to be a white round ornament since the light is off, but at night, it instantly becomes recognizable as the moon.
There is also a room with a sofa and a low table. This seating may be more suitable for meetings rather than work. Sitting on the sofa may help you relax and enhance conversation. At ASTRO, chatting is allowed, so it's fine to hold meetings. Wi-Fi is fully available, making online meetings easy to conduct.
Opposite the sofa seating, there is a long, narrow room. It is narrower in width and has a more closed design than the previously introduced two spaces, making it recommended for those who want to enhance their concentration.
There are low tables and counter seats made along the wall. The view from other rooms is blocked, so you are less likely to be distracted by those around you.
Observation Room
Users of ASTRO can also enter the observation room in a separate building. This is not a place to work, but rather a space to take a break. The idea is that when you are tired from work, you should look at the stars to refresh yourself, and it can be used without any additional charge.
The observation room is usually closed, so be sure to ask the manager, Mr. Jordan, when you want to use it. He will also provide explanations about the stars.
Take your time to gaze at the starry sky or observe through the telescope. This is a delightful service unique to the observatory.
I tried using it
I actually worked at ASTRO. The atmosphere changes dramatically from that of the daytime café, with a calm ambiance in the evening.
An environment conducive to concentration
I prefer narrow and dimly lit spaces for relaxation, so I chose the long narrow room. I selected a table seat at the very back.
With minimal lighting limiting the field of vision, it creates an environment conducive to concentration. The workspace is well-lit, so there are no issues with working.
They lend out extension cords, so you can access power from any seat. It's nice to be able to choose a seat based on location without worrying about outlets.
For the author, who usually works from home, the lack of distractions is a big plus, but working in a stylish space also boosted motivation significantly. Working in a space that makes you think, "I love this place!" seems to be effective. I realized that work and a good environment are closely connected to motivation.
Refresh at the Observation Room
Since I was there, I was shown the observation room as well. The building has a curved ceiling and is one large room without partitions.
When observing stars, the ceiling is opened manually by sliding it. The heavy ceiling moves slowly, and when the starry sky peeks through, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!"
I couldn't capture it well in the photo, but there were shining stars here and there besides the moon. I learned for the first time that you can see stars even in the middle of Kurashiki.
There are two telescopes. Mr. Jordan adjusts the focus in advance, so it's easy to observe the stars.
First, I observed the moon with one telescope. I could clearly see the craters. It felt more powerful than the familiar moon.
With the other telescope, I observed Saturn. The rings of Saturn were clearly visible, and I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!" again.
I often gaze at the night sky, but seeing things that are not visible to the naked eye gives a special feeling. I also experienced the sensation of feeling the universe up close, which I usually don't pay attention to in daily life. It was a perfect service for a break from work.
I never expected to be able to observe stars in the middle of Kurashiki. And that too, in between work. It's a special experience that can only be enjoyed at ASTRO.
Mr. Jordan, the manager of the unique ASTRO, shared his thoughts on why he opened the coworking space and how he hopes it will be used.
Data for Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory
| Name | Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-19-10 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-2805-4418 |
| Parking | Available 8 spaces in front of Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory |
| Business Hours | 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM *Phone reception: (9:00 AM to 10:00 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Usage Fee (including tax) | 500 yen per hour, 1,500 yen per day |
| Payment Methods |
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| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Power Supply | Available Multi-tap lending available |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Coworking Space ASTRO at Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory |
