Citizen activity introduction "reading cafe" by inhabitant of a ward writer

Interviews, photos, and texts = inhabitant of a ward writer Tomoko Goto

The third place is the third place where you are not at home or at work or school.
This refers to a place where you can be "self as you are" free from social roles, responsibilities, and ties.
It is said that having such a place will increase people happiness.

There is a place in the Nakamachidai district center that is likely to become such a "third place".
It is a self-employed reading cafe of Nakamachidai district center.

A reading cafe is an event where you can introduce recommended books around the coffee and sweets of Nakamachidai Cafe.
It is held at the Nakamachidai District Center Lobby from 10:00 to 11:30 on the odd month Nakamachidai Cafe date (third Wednesday).
Advance reservations are not required. The participation fee is only ¥150 for Nakamachidai Cafe.
Anyone who is interested in a book can participate. In short, while having delicious coffee and sweets
It is an event where you can talk about books slowly.

This reading cafe originally happened in 2015 (Heisei 27) as a voluntary business of the Nakamachidai District Center.
At that time, it was a course format with instructors invited, but after the course, students will introduce current recommended books mainly to students.
It was launched as a "vibrio battle" format.
Initially, it was held in the conference room, but since 2019, it has been held since 2019, so that anyone can easily participate.
It will be held in the lobby in conjunction with the day of Nakamachidai Cafe in odd months.
After that, it was suspended from March 2020 (Reiwa 2) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed for the first time in three years from March 2023 (Reiwa 5).

Even though everyone can easily participate, many people feel that "books" have a high hurdle.
Can't I keep up with the story if I'm not familiar with books? I wonder if it's a good collection of readers? I feel pressure.…。

How does the reading cafe actually take place?
I visited this reading cafe twice in July and November.

There are about 4 or 5 members participating in the event in July and November. The participants in July and November were different except for one person.
Those who came before Corona, regulars after reopening the reading cafe, and those who are new to this time.

The facilitator is Kyoko Sugiyama, a staff member of the Nakamachidai District Center, who is in charge of reading cafe management.
First of all, let's introduce yourself just by your name and start the meeting.

I met each other for the first time. Here is the book that Mr. Sugiyama introduced to the grab while a little hard air flows.↓

What a miniature book!

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's "Rashomon" and travel guides keep the contents in palm size as they are! There was also a book of six laws.
Sugiyama originally seems to be a hobby of collecting miniature goods, but recently I learned that there is a miniature book capsule toy.
I'm crazy about it. These are the benefits.

All the participants were surprised at the introduction of the "book" that they opposed, and "cute!" If you pick it up in order, "Show me and show me!"
Thanks to this, the air of the place warmed up at once, and the introduction of each book began.

At the reading cafe in July, the author of free announcer and talent Eriko Nakamura was excited by the reading cafe.

When "House Time in Paris" was introduced. The fact that French people have only ten clothes

"Only 10 of that gorgeous Eriko? It's true!?"

From there, the topic of Eriko Nakamura, the topic of French cuisine and simple life were exciting at once.…It's like a women's party.

It was a fun and casual chatting time.

At the reading cafe in November, "Repezen Mother" (written by Aki Uno) based on the MC battle of wraps.
Books that are likely to end without picking up if there is no connection with the genre, such as the boxer's main character, "Dispersing in Spring" (written by Kotaro Sawaki).
It is also a real pleasure of reading cafes that you can meet books that you don't think of yourself.

The people who introduced those books seemed to have not been interested in raping or boxing until now, but it seems that they were not interested in raping or boxing.
After reading the book, he said, "I started watching MC battles on YouTube," and "boxing is no longer scary."
If you listen to such a real story, you will be driven by the impulse that you would like to read books that you were not interested in.

Also, in the introduction of "Glare" (written by Makate Asai), depicting the life of Katsushika Hokusai's daughter, Katsushika Odai.
It was a story that I actually went to see the work, and from there it was an exchange of information about the museum.…The topic was growing steadily.

Reading cafes, there was no high hurdle atmosphere in July or November.
On the contrary, it has a relaxed atmosphere from beginning to end. When a book is introduced, the topic will be connected to Suru from there.
I can't say anything about it.

There are no people with leadership in particular, and no specific people keep talking, but the conversation is strangely interrupted.
There is no bias in the members who speak. There was an atmosphere where everyone could enjoy a conversation freely with their participation.

Also, I realized that when I talked about what I liked and impressed me, I realized that I was present there.
People naturally have a sparkling smile.
In the appearance of talking about the excitement of a book, honesty, kindness, and humor…I felt like I was touched by that wonderful part.
I felt warm and warm.

In addition, I was surprised to be able to talk about deep stories about life naturally by talking about the impressions of the book.
Deep is not a dark feeling, but a feeling of speaking in a gentle and calm air with an honest feeling and accepting it with an honest feeling.
Yeah. There was a sense of security and fulfillment that was able to catch the heart and heart.

Why can we talk so deeply even though we meet each other for the first time? And it's quite strange. It was a wonderful experience.

With that in mind, it's fun to have a conversation with someone you've met for the first time in July and November.…It was an hour and a half.

Sugiyama, the operator of the reading cafe, says that the book in the reading cafe is just one of the triggers.

If you have a book, there is no shortage of topics even if you meet each other for the first time. There is a genre of interest to anyone in a book.
That's why Mr. Sugiyama's idea is that anyone can easily participate if the book is the theme.

"At first glance, books may seem to be a high hurdle, but I hope that the book will trigger the topic and become a place for everyone to interact."

Certainly, if you think so, books are not difficult, but books can be said to be an excellent bridge.

Sugiyama also says that self-introduction is just a good thing about reading cafes.
In places where identity such as occupation and age is known, it is very difficult to talk about honest thoughts with concern about positions and surroundings.
However, in this place where only the name is said, I think that it is easy to be released from the reality and to talk on my own as it is.
"I think it's very fresh and fun to jump into a place where you're not someone and connect with someone you've met for the first time."

The reason I was able to talk deeply that I couldn't imagine as I met each other for the first time may be because I was able to face myself as it was.
The fact that we were able to interact with the people we met on the spot in a flat manner regardless of age or occupation and sympathize with each other.
Anyway, it was fresh and happy, and I felt that my heart was enriched.

Third Place, another place where you can be "self as you are" may be like this.

Also, thanks to the book, I was able to reach a deep story. The power to connect people in books…Great!

Sugiyama has been in charge of the operation of the reading cafe since April 2023. This was the fourth time in November.
When I asked Mr. Sugiyama about the goals of the reading cafe, the goal of expanding the scale and increasing the number of participants.
With a bright smile, "I don't think about the goal in particular."

The reason why you don't set a goal is that reading cafes have different fun every time depending on the members' faces and the books introduced.
If there are many participants, it will be lively and fun, and even if the participants can talk with them carefully, that's fun.
It seems to be to enjoy the situation at that time.

However, when Mr. Sugiyama took over, he had to do something to enjoy it.…I was worried about it.
However, when the reading cafe actually starts, the topic will not be exhausted, so there is no need for the moderator to come to the front.
Rather, I realized that it would be more interesting to leave it to the participants.
After that, I dared to set a goal, and with the consciousness that "a reading cafe is something that everyone creates."
It seems that it is important to have fun with the participants.

In addition, it is important to have the low hurdles unique to the district center so that you can easily participate.
For that reason, I feel that it is better not to think about goals.
Sugiyama says, "If you dare to set your goals, you will have each participant say that it was fun."
"If you come to talk when you feel like it, relax a little and return home with a smile saying," Oh, it's enough."

The distinctive features of the reading cafe are that "reservation required" and "lobby holding".
This is the part of my commitment to reading cafe planning.

According to Ayako Adachi, director of the Nakamachidai District Center, the image we aimed at at in a reading cafe is "a place where you can easily and casually participate as if you were going to a cafe in the city." Therefore, there is no need to make a reservation so that you can participate when you come up with it. In order to make it easier to participate even if you jump in, the lobby, which is an open space, was held.

"The first thing is that I hope everyone who gathers books in common terms has a good time. As a result, I hope it will be one of your places."

As Mr. Adachi became Class 5 and people's activities are resumed, everyone can easily drop in at this Nakamachidai district center.
We are looking forward to the future as a place where people can connect with each other.
The first project is also this reading cafe.

"I would like to continue to increase the number of places where people can easily connect. Following the reading cafe, I would like to organize a loose party that does not require reservations to gather on various hobbies and themes, including handicrafts."

When you open the door of the district center, the lobby is always crowded with some sort of gathering, and you can always connect with someone.…
If it can be realized, it will be a reassuring place to stay in the area. Keep an eye on the future event planning of the Nakamachidai District Center.

"I can't help running a reading cafe so much that I don't think it's a job."

Sugiyama himself enjoys the great charm of reading cafes.
Mr. Sugiyama always accepts it with a smile, so everyone who visits the reading cafe will smile and smile.
I think you can open your heart honestly.

Recently, many people revisited "I came again because it was fun" and said, "I'm fine when I came."
Mr. Sugiyama feels that reading cafes are becoming a place for everyone.
Also, when the people who participated in the reading cafe met outside, they said, "I read a recommended book."
When he heard that he talked about his impressions, he was really happy that a friendship was born from a reading cafe.
Even after the cafe in November this year, they were seen talking to each other, "Let's have tea together next time."

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reaffirmed the importance of regional connections and the importance of people-to-people connections.
If you want to find another place to stay and connect with new people, you may start something when you visit a reading cafe.

Would you like to experience the wonders of the third place too?

[Reading Cafe]
From 10:00 to 11:30 on the third Wednesday of odd months
Held in the 1st floor lobby of Nakamachidai District Center

[Nakamachidai District Center]
[Location] 2-7-2 Nakamachidai, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama
[Phone number] 045-943-9191
[Access] 3-minute walk from Nakamachidai Station
[Usage time] Weekdays (Mon-Sat) 9:00 to 21:00
Sunday and public holidays from 9:00 to 17:00
[Closed days] Second Monday of every month (or the next day if Monday is a national holiday or transfer holiday)
New Year holidays (12/28 to 1/4)