"Nakamachidai Cafe" introduces citizen activities in Tsuzuki Ward   by inhabitants of a ward

Coverage, photography, sentence = ward writer Tomoko Goto

Do you know the word "third place" (= third place)?

A third place is not a home, a workplace or school, but another place of your own.
It refers to a place that is free from social positions, responsibilities, and ties, and follow one's mind.
It is said that having a third place will help people stabilize their minds and increase happiness.

Our lives have changed significantly due to the three years of COVID-19.

While teleworking has spread, it has become more convenient to take jobs and classes everywhere.
It is difficult to distinguish between work and private life.
Some people may feel lonely because they have fewer opportunities to interact with people.
On the other hand, I think that some people have begun to develop interest in connection with the community.

Third place.
A place to connect with the local community.

I found a place in the Nakamachidai District Center that was likely to be a catalyst for such a place.

The Nakamachidai District Center is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the station.

When you open the entrance door, the entire wall is covered with glass, and the lobby of the atrium spreads out in front of you.
There is plenty of natural light from the glass wall that draws a relaxed arc.
Beyond the glass, you can see the greenery of the front yard.
This facility, which won the Yokohama Townscape Award in 1998, is designed to incorporate the cityscape into the building.
It seems to be a concept, but the lobby is just a corner of a green road.

The Nakamachidai Cafe of "Man Rakurakukai" is held once a month in this open lobby.

The Nakamachidai Cafe is held on the third Wednesday of every month from 10:00 to 13:00.
Although it had been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of coffee only in stages since December last year.
It has been resumed in earnest since May this year.

When you visit the lobby, you will be greeted by a signboard of "Nakamachidai Cafe" with a warm and warm design.
The menu is a set of coffee and handmade sweets at 150 yen, which is too conscientious.

The sweets menu is rotated every two months.
May and June were citrus cupcakes, and in July it was black beans and kinako Blanmange.

↓This photo is a citrus cupcakes in May and June menu.

The cupcake is exquisitely baked. Cali savory outside, and inside is soft.
The sweetness is modest, and it is a refreshing dish with citrus scent spreads in your mouth every bit.

↓This is the menu of July, black beans and kinako Blanmange.

Blanmange, a cool dessert that is nice in summer, has a tronous texture and has a modest sweetness.
The sweetness of black beans is just a good accent.
As I ate, the kinako came out of the bottom and the fragrance was added, and it was a delicious dish twice or three times.

The sweets served at Nakamachidai Cafe are a cooking class that was previously held at the Nakamachidai District Center.
It is said that it is made based on recipes learned by members at the "Let's Enter the Men's Kitchen".

It's a good sense of choosing Blanmanger for cold dessert.
It's an idea to combine citrus with cupcakes, and it's casual and stylish.
The design and color of the cup and plate also match perfectly.

The man who receives the order and carries Tekipaki, coffee and sweets are the members of the "Man Rakuraku-kai".
Wearing an matching cafe apron and its appearance is exactly like a barista.
The apron also comes with a handmade "Manraku Rakukai" emblem.
I wore a bandana or a hat on my head…
It is fun to see how the cafe staff enjoys fashion in their own way, and this also makes you feel better.

The lobby of the Nakamachidai District Center on the third Wednesday has been completely transformed into a stylish and vibrant cafe.

We visited the cafe day in July, and on the day of the event, we focused on people who stop by before and after the health exercises held on the second floor.
Customers were visiting constantly. The 46 Blanmangees entered the kitchen from 8:30.
It was sold out before 12 o'clock. After that, it was a great success with inquiries.
Nakamachidai Cafe is open until 13:00, but it is not uncommon to sell out before closing time.
We recommend that you go as soon as possible when you come to the store.

Nakamachidai Cafe is a signboard with a warm and warm pattern, a matching cafe apron.
It is a great attraction that you can feel picnic and playfulness in each direction.

"If you do it anyway, if you make a sign or an apron and make it a little full-fledged, the atmosphere will come out and it will be interesting?"
Mr. Kaoru Iida, the leader of Nakamachidai Cafe and vice chairman of the Otoko Rakukai, spoke with a smile.

"Man Raku Rakukai" is an organization in which retired senior men work on the theme of having a second life happily in the community.
Co-sponsored project of Nakamachidai District Center and Shinei Community Care Plaza “Second Life“ How to Enjoy ”Lecture for Men”
Formed in July 2016 mainly for students. This year marks the seventh year of the year.
There are currently 10 members. In addition to Nakamachidai Cafe, leather craft classes, sales of cotton candy at district center festivals.
Strolling, factory tours, gourmet tours, volunteer activities, round-table conferences (= drinking party)…It is a wide range of activities.

There are no particular detailed rules for "Manraku-kai". It's OK if you participate in what you think is fun.
"That's why there are people who only come to banquets," says Iida.
Participate in the range that can be enjoyed without overdoing them according to their physical strength and living pace.
It is NG to participate with a sense of duty is the policy of "Man Rakurakukai".
On the other hand, when the voice says, "Let's try it because it looks interesting," I will actively challenge.

The leather craft class that I started last year is one of them.
Iida went out to take a walk at the "Manraku Rakukai" with a leather bag made by himself.
It seems that it started when the members who saw it said, "I want to make it."
A Nippori tour to buy leather was also held in the wake of this leather craft class.

Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we challenged Zoom, saying, "Let's have a remote drinking party!"
At first, everyone seemed to have a hard time with unfamiliar operations, but it is one of the pleasures to move forward while teaching each other.
Now, I am completely used to Zoom and continue to hold monthly Zoom meetings.

The theme of "Manraku Rakukai" is to enjoy the second life of senior men.
That's why I started Nakamachidai Cafe.

"Japanese men who spend most of their active days in their workplace often lose their place as soon as they retire. I often see men who seem to be after Retirement in the Nakamachidai district center, but most of them are simply reading books and newspapers alone. I thought it would be possible to provide a place where I could talk."
And plan and propose Nakamachidai Cafe. It will be commercialized at the Nakamachidai District Center.

It seems that some members have joined the "Manraku Rakukai" after actually visiting the Nakamachidai Cafe.

At the Men's Rakukai, not only seniors, but also men who want to have fun with local friends are welcome.
"At the beginning, we declared a" senior man ", but those who are also interested in the active generation are welcome. If you look at the website and think it's fun, please call us. For example, you can participate in the leather craft class alone or participate in activities that you are interested in."

Look for a third place. First of all, if you visit Nakamachidai Cafe, something may start.

[Nakamachidai Cafe]
3rd Wednesday of every month from 10:00 to 13:00 (finished as soon as it runs out)
Held at Nakamachidai District Center 1F Lobby

[Man's comfort party]
Click here for homepage (outside site)　

[Nakamachidai District Center]
[Location] 2-7-2, Nakamachidai, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama
[Phone number] 045-943-9191
[Access] 3 minutes walk from Nakamachidai Station
[Usage time] Weekdays (Monday to Saturday) 9:00 to 21:00
Sunday/holiday 9am to 5pm
[Closed days] The second Monday of every month (if Monday is a holiday or transfer holiday, the next day)
New Year holidays (12/28-1/4)