By Maasa Furumori (Fountain Staff)
January 18, 2021
There is a cozy alternative space located in Beppu where different creative people meet to open restaurants or cafes. This place becomes like a chameleon depending on the season.
“PUNTO PRECOG places value on expression in everyday life. Ever since I decided to move to Beppu, I wanted to open a business that is to provide a free space where people can try challenge shop like a Pop-up retail. “Akane Nakamura, originally from Tokyo, the founder of PUNTO PRECOG said.
The free space called PUNTO PRECOG opened in 2012 and is operated by a stage production company called precog. It supports to connect local culture and people through operating communication space.
There was a total of 28 different varieties of shops and restaurants opened each for a limited period since Nakamura started to build PUNTO according to a PUNTO PRECOG PR bucket.
“I have cultivated a great connection with people who came all the way from different cities and countries. People who tried out opening shops at PUNTO have different purposes and conviction. Most of them are starting their own business after tried out shop in PUNTO.” Nakamura said.
The picture shows the inside of PUNTO with decoration.
(http://puntoprecog.jp/english/)
“I became aware of the necessity of presenting local culture widely because the Tōhoku earthquake back in 2011 reminded me of spotlighting to the locals.” Nakamura talked about her story with PUNTO PRECOG up till now.
It was right after the Tōhoku earthquake happened, when Nakamura decided to leave her base in Tokyo, and came to Beppu to start a business.
“PUNTO started with nothing.” Nakamura laughed.
“First, we renovated the space with my friends before building an actual business design. I called my friend, Asa Nakano who is an architect and a competent carpenter from Kumamoto prefecture. It was very tough but we all enjoyed it. I also can say that the whole process was committed to quality.”
Outside look of PUNTO (Captured by Maasa Furumori)
“PUNTO aims to accept people who are moving from other areas. This mindset has not changed since it started. I am glad that PUNTO is now recognized by more people in all ages as well as students in Beppu who are interested in what we do here.” said Nakamura.
There is an ongoing workshop for university students in Beppu called “BEPPU Local Paragraph” which aims for learning the process of making an annual tabloid magazine. The tabloid magazine will be planning to publish in spring.
Noa Numata, a third-year student in APU is working with 10 other members to research on PUNTO by participating workshop.
“We are mainly researching on what PUNTO had influenced on local community and culture in Beppu. Also, building up a hypothesis of practicing PUNTO in the future is a quite interesting topic to discuss.” said Numata.
Numata thinks that PUNTO might have a remarkable impact on people inside and outside of Beppu.
Numata concluded with her ideal image towards PUNTO.
“Personally, I would love to see new local vendor stores to come, like the bookstores, cooking class, digital detox which is having the time to reevaluate your relationship with your phone. Because I think PUNTO is where something diverse culture is gathered, I am excited to see some new chemistries there.”
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