[Vacant Property Utilization] Introducing Case Studies of Vacant Houses and Stores in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture!
In recent years, the issue of vacant properties has been a major focus across Japan, and an increasing number of people are utilizing vacant properties to start businesses or new activities.
The utilization of vacant houses and stores not only solves such social problems but also provides opportunities for new challenges.
For those wondering what kind of businesses can be started by utilizing vacant houses and stores, this time we will introduce examples from Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.
We hope you'll read through, considering property images and utilization methods, and think about various possibilities for yourself.
There are various ways to start a business, but here are five advantages of starting a store-based business by utilizing vacant houses and stores.
This is probably what many people imagine when they hear "vacant property utilization," and cost reduction is indeed a significant advantage.
By utilizing existing vacant properties instead of building new ones, construction costs and equipment investments can be minimized.
The building itself has history, and local residents are familiar with that history, so utilizing the vacant property itself can be an opportunity to attract interest.
Also, by communicating with the landlord, it may become easier to be introduced to local residents.
The vacant property issue is now a nationwide problem, and utilizing vacant properties greatly contributes to the local community.
By not only utilizing vacant properties but also starting new businesses, you can contribute to the revitalization of the local economy.
By utilizing vacant properties, the environmental burden associated with new construction can be reduced.
Utilizing waste materials or receiving donated furniture can also lead to sustainable renovation.
If you want to start a business that uses a storefront, utilizing an existing building allows you to start your business more quickly than constructing a new property.
Depending on the condition of the vacant property, it may even be possible to use the existing floor plan and layout as is, allowing for an even faster business launch.
Now, let's introduce case studies of vacant house and store utilization in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.
The business genres and uses of vacant properties vary, so we hope you'll feel that "this kind of approach is also possible."
Theater Kinematica is an entertainment complex with a cafe and theater that opened in 2022.
Located in an area that once gathered art-related facilities, it operates with the desire that "the flame of art must never be extinguished," utilizing a property that was originally a futon shop.
With a cafe in the front and a theater in the back, the intention is to create a place where even those unfamiliar with art can easily enter.
Screenings and events are held almost every week, making it a new artistic hub for the region.
Address: 1-3-12 Chuo, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 986-0822 Access: 12-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station Official HP:https://www.r-ishinomaki.com/kinematica
Next to Theater Kinematica, there is a brewery called 'ISHINOMAKI HOP WORKS' that utilizes a building that was originally the Nikkatsu Pearl Theater.
It is operated by "Ishinomaki Farm," an agricultural corporation that cultivates its own hops, establishing a process of bringing their own hops to their own brewery to produce their own craft beer.
Furthermore, a crowdfunding campaign was conducted in the spring of 2023 to create a beer stand between it and Theater Kinematica, fostering collaboration to revitalize the region.
The brewery is not usually open to the public, but holds irregular open days, so if you're interested, please check the ISHINOMAKI HOP WORKS website or Instagram account.
Address: 1-3-14 Chuo, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 986-0822 Access: 12-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station Official HP:https://www.ishinomakihopworks.com/
'IRORI Ishinomaki' operates with the concept of "The World's Most Interesting City Lobby, IRORI Ishinomaki."
This facility was created by hand-renovating a garage damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake, and serves as a cafe and coworking space, making it an accessible place for local residents.
The cafe space even has a system where you can "sit down without ordering," creating opportunities for high school students and others to simply drop by and interact with adults.
The coworking space is available from 5,000 yen per month, and corporate registration is possible with an additional fee.
Address: Nittaya Building 1F, 2-10-2 Chuo, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 986-0822 Access: 10-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station Official HP:http://irori.ishinomaki2.com/
Michikusa Kobo is a shared workshop where craft enthusiasts gather, utilizing a vacant property with challenging conditions—not facing a road, but "even further back" behind multiple private homes.
Not only do users share the space, but as the name suggests, on open days, which occur several times a week, anyone can easily drop in.
Sharing the space allows for reduced costs per person, and many collaborative initiatives have emerged from it.
As of summer 2023, it is shared by a sewing artist, a fortune teller, a雑貨屋 (general store owner), and a philosopher.
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