Children’s cafeteria aims to create network among parents in Kagoshima’s Tenmonkan

PUBLISHED Jun 29, 2021

Inside Party Hall Hinata, the venue for the children’s cafeteria

Okaeri Kodomo Shokudo, a project to provide meals to children, will start on July 19 at Party Hall Hinata, a restaurant located on the third floor of the CAPARVO building in Tenmonkan, Kagoshima City.

The project is organized by Kawada Sho and Anna, the husband and wife team who run the restaurant. Sho took over the restaurant in April last year after working as the manager and executive chef for 10 years. “Tenmonkan has also been affected by the pandemic, and many people lost their jobs. We decided to start a children’s cafeteria because we thought that meals would be the most important part of a family’s life, especially at a time like this, and we wanted to offer something we could at our restaurant,” said Anna. It has been one of the couple’s dreams to eliminate the situation where children have to eat alone.

The children’s cafeteria, Okaeri Kodomo Shokudo, will be open on Mondays, one to four times a month, and it is currently scheduled for August 9 and 23 as well. Some days are open to everyone (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and some days are open only to certain children (1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.). In the latter case, the restaurant accepts children from 1:30 p.m. and provides support such as reading and talking to children, helping them with their homework, and offering pick-up and drop-off services. The restaurant was originally a banquet hall for wedding receptions and parties, and the interior is spacious.

Anna said: “When I was a child, I had no place at home, could not eat properly, and had few people to help me. We would like to provide a place for children from families with difficulties such as poverty, futoko (school non-attendance), domestic violence, and delinquency. We also hope to make it a place where parents can network with each other and provide support.”

On July 19, the children’s cafeteria will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The fee is free for children and 300 yen for adults. It is necessary to attend a briefing session beforehand, which will be held on July 4 (from 2:00 p.m.), 5 (from 6:00 p.m.), and 12 (from 2:00 p.m.). Applications are accepted via chat on the official LINE (@715imhle) and by phone.

  • Inside Party Hall Hinata, the venue for the children’s cafeteria

  • The entrance of Party Hall Hinata, the venue for the children’s cafeteria

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