Come visit us any time!
Cocoroom was established in 2003. Its official name is “Incorporated
Nonprofit, Room of Voice (koe), Words (kotoba), and Soul (kokoro).”
Voice is the expression of life, Words are the expression for response,
and the Soul is the wings for imagination. As the full name indicates,
Cocoroom is exploring how these different aspects of expression can
engage with society.
In 2008 we moved to Kamagasaki, where truly all kinds of people live,
and there we organized art and social activities such as “KAMAGEI”
(Kamagasaki University of the Arts), a street medical clinic and a
nightwatch for homeless people. In April 2016 we relocated and opened
the Cocoroom Guesthouse Café and Garden to make a space for travelers
and local people to meet each other.
Cocoroom was established in 2003.
Its official name is “IncorporatedNonprofit, Room of Voice (koe), Words (kotoba), and Soul(kokoro).”
Voice is the expression of life, Words are the expression for response, and the Soul is the wings for imagination. As the full name indicates, Cocoroom is exploring how these different aspects of expression can engage with society.
In 2008 we moved to Kamagasaki, where truly all kinds of people live, and there we organized art and social activities such as “KAMAGEI”(Kamagasaki University of the Arts), a street medical clinic and a nightwatch for homeless people.
In April 2016 we relocated and opened the Cocoroom Guesthouse Café and Garden to make a space for travelers and local people to meet each other.
Meet, express
and have relationships,
generously.
Having roots in the community, Cocoroom is creating opportunities for meeting people with different backgrounds, expressing and studying each other. Through life, work, and the relationships, we go on with our activities respecting each other to live honestly and connect to society.
We are pretending to be a cafe and a hotel in the hopes that there will be many occasions for people to meet. We are not doing any professional work, just cooking, cleaning up, planning events, doing office work, and sometimes cooperating with other organizations. You might get into an awkward situation at times. If you do, just breathe deeply and be generous. Things sometimes do not go well, but let’s move on to another nice meeting.
Meet, express
and have relationships,
generously.
Having roots in the community, Cocoroom is creating opportunities for meeting people with different backgrounds, expressing and studying each other. Through life, work, and the relationships, we go on with our activities respecting each other to live honestly and connect to society.
We are pretending to be a cafe and a hotel in the hopes that there will be many occasions for people to meet. We are not doing any professional work, just cooking, cleaning up, planning events, doing office work, and sometimes cooperating with other organizations. You might get into an awkward situation at times. If you do, just breathe deeply and be generous. Things sometimes do not go well, but let’s move on to another nice meeting.
Everyday
“Cocoroom Show”
We have lots of unplanned events; everyday life at Cocoroom is like a TV show or human drama performed together by funny staff members, various guests, and locals. Visitors often use our space for book clubs, live music, art performances, etc.
Upcoming Events
Check planned events on Facebook or on our website. As you already know, there are lots of unplanned events. Please come and see what really goes on at Cocoroom.
KAMAGEI
(Kamagasaki University of the Arts)
Since 2012, KAMAGEI (Kamagasaki University of the Arts) has offered a wide range of courses such as astronomy, philosophy, art, poetry, music, geology, gamelan (Indonesian instrument), etc. It’s free for everyone (donations welcome!).
Nightwatch for
the homeless
With tea, rice balls, and letters for the recipients prepared in the evening, we manage a nightwatch for homeless people starting at 8:00 pm. Afterwards, we have a brief meeting to discuss the issue of homelessness.
Street Medical Clinic
Once a month, at the entrance of Cocoroom, nurses, dentists, and dental hygienists provide medical care and advice for free.
Study Tour
“Exploring Kamagasaki”
We organize a study tour focusing on the history and the current state of the local area, Kamagasaki. Hopefully it encourages you to think about your own neighborhood.
Our Sweet Home
Yasumasa Morimura (artist)
×
Noriyuki Sakashita
(a former day laborer and a student at
Kamagasaki University of the Arts)
Special twin room/9,000yen〜
The room is filled with works by a Japanese modern artist, Yasumasa Morimura. Cocoroom supported Morimura’s work portraying Lenin in 2007, and since then we’ve jointly organized art workshops.
Poems on the wall are written by Mr. Sakashita. He graduated from university and started a family, but his wife died. Then he became addicted to alcohol and came to Kamagasaki. By participating in Cocoroom’s poem workshops, he started to express himself.
The station of
Galaxy Express
Single room/3,500yen〜
The room has lots of artworks by Mr. Nobushige Ando, who lives in Kamagasaki and visits Cocoroom almost every day.
He was a troublemaker but we continued to talk to him.
Little by little we built a better relationship, and as a result, he started to express himself.
The Room
for a Poet
Single room/3,500yen〜
We “confined” a Japanese poet, Shuntaro Tanigawa, into this room and had him write a poem, titled “At Cocoyadoya.” Guests staying at this room can compose the latter part of the poem.
The Room
for a Haiku Poet
Single room/3,500yen〜
This room displays Haiku poems by Chutarou Akiba, who lived in this area. He went to China during the Second World War. After the defeat in the war, he buried the bodies of his fellow soldiers and returned to Japan with a sense of loss. Then, he started to write Haiku poems.
The Room
for a Tanka Poet
Single room/3,500yen〜
A homeless poet, Tsuneko, wrote a Tanka poem and sold it for 100 yen. Though she died at the age of 76, we have collected and displayed her poems in this room.
The Room
of a Piglet and a Gourd
Twin Room/5,400yen(for 2 persons)〜
This room offers the works of Hidetaka Okayama who paints with a hand afflicted with rheumatism.
Dormitory
(4 beds/8 beds)
2,500yen〜
Poets gave names to each bunk bed: “The Bird Singing Good Morning on an Uninhabited Island”, “A Galaxy Express in the Night in the Desert.”
The beds were painted based on the names.
Information
Room types
Price per night (tax included) (subject to change depending on season)
Dorm (Gender-separated)
1 bed
2,500yen
Single room
1 person
3,500yen
Bunk twin room
2 persons
5,400yen
Special twin room
2 persons
9,000yen
*Extra 300 yen will be added on Fridays, Saturdays, and the days before National holidays. Higher seasonal prices will be
set for the summer holiday season, and the year-end and New Year holidays.
*Free of charge for children under 6.
*The special twin room accommodates three guests if guests pay 3,000yen for one extra bed.
Check-in/Check-out
Check-in : 3:00 pm ~ 10:00 pm
Check-out : 10:00 am
*Please be sure to contact us in advance when you arrive after 10:00pm, or plan to leave early in the morning
*Once you check in, you can come and go as you please (no curfew).
The Room
for a Tanka Poet
Single room/3,500yen〜
A homeless poet, Tsuneko, wrote a Tanka poem and sold it for 100 yen. Though she died at the age of 76, we have collected and displayed her poems in this room.
The Room
of a Piglet and a Gourd
Twin Room/5,400yen(for 2 persons)〜
This room offers the works of Hidetaka Okayama who paints
with a hand afflicted with rheumatism.
Dormitory
(4 beds/8 beds)
2,500yen〜
Poets gave names to each bunk bed: “The Bird Singing Good Morning on an Uninhabited Island”, “A Galaxy Express in the
Night in the Desert.” The beds were painted based on the
names.
Information
Room type
Price per night (tax included) (subject to change depending on season)
Dorm (Gender-separated)
1 bed
2,500yen
Single room
1 person
3,500yen
Bunk twin room
2 persons
5,400yen
Special twin room
2 persons
9,000yen
*Extra 300 yen will be added on Fridays, Saturdays, and the days before National holidays. Higher seasonal prices will be
set for the summer holiday season, and the year-end and New Year holidays.
*Free of charge for children under 6.
*The special twin room accommodates three guests if guests pay 3,000yen for one extra bed.
Check-in/Check-out
Check-in : 3:00 pm ~ 10:00 pm
Check-out : 10:00 am
*Please be sure to contact us in advance when you arrive after 10:00pm, or plan to leave early in the morning
*Once you check in, you can come and go as you please (no curfew).
Yes. VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, and UnionPay are accepted.
In the case of cancellation on the expected arrival date or in the case of a no-show, you will be charged for the entire stay. In case of cancellation within 3 days prior to the expected arrival date you will be charged for 50% of the full price.
No, there are no TVs in our guesthouse. The rooms are simple, with an air-conditioner, bed, desk, and lamp. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.
Yes. We can keep your luggage on the day of check-in and check-out free of charge. Luggage storage after your day of check-out will incur extra costs. Please let us know beforehand.
We try our best to accommodate those who need special support. Please contact us about handicapped accessibility.
If you have any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or e-mail.
room@cocoroom.org
+81 6-6636-1612 (10:00 am~8:00 pm)
81-6-6636-1612 (9:00am~9:00pm)
Facilities and Services
●Security
The entrance of the guesthouse is automatically locked. The door of each room can be locked by guests with a key card. Guests of the dormitory room can use the lockers to store valuables.
●Smoking Policy
No smoking in the building. Smoking is only allowed in smoking areas on the rooftop and in the garden.
●Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available, Ethernet is not available.
●A/C
All rooms have air conditioners.
●Desk lamp
There is a desk lamp for each bed. There is a desk in each single room.
●Shower rooms
Shower rooms are available 24 hours a day at no extra cost. Shampoo, body soap, and conditioner are also available for free.
●Self-service laundry
There is a laundry machine (detergent automatically added) on the rooftop. It costs 200 yen per load of laundry.
●Common facilities
We have shower rooms, toilets, wash stands, hair dryers, a kitchen, a fridge, a microwave, a toaster, and an electric kettle.
●Free rental service
We have power plug adapters, USB AC charger adapters (for iPhones), a sewing kit, an iron and an ironing board, additional blankets, packing tape, extension cords, and air fresheners.
●Extra amenities
Bath towel (rental) 100 yen
Face towel 100 yen
A place for travelers and locals to meet
From the very beginning Cocoroom has put up a front as a coffee shop.
Truly different kinds of people visit Cocoroom: the elderly, the disabled, those in need, passers-by,
and those who have an interest in the area.
It is often hard to communicate with people with different backgrounds and differing values.
So, be open-minded and say hello. Grab a cup of tea, and enjoy your time with the people you meet at Cocoroom.
A place for travelers and locals to meet
From the very beginning Cocoroom has put up a front as a coffee shop.
Truly different kinds of people visit Cocoroom: the elderly, the disabled, those in need, passers-by, and those who have an interest in the area.
It is often hard to communicate with people with different backgrounds and differing values.
So, be open-minded and say hello. Grab a cup of tea, and enjoy your time with the people you meet at Cocoroom.
Let’s eat home-made meals!
Lunch 12:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm, 1,300yen
We spend time around the dining table with travelers, passers-by,
neighbors, kids, volunteers, and staff members. You feel like a member
of a big family. Meals at Cocoroom are Japanese home-made style with
plenty of vegetables. Please help us prepare and make meals, when you
have time.
Our kitchen is also a social kitchen where guests may share the food of
their hometown.
●BBQ in the garden
Nishinari, where Cocoroom is located, is famous for Horumonyaki (ホルモン焼き). Horumonyaki is a kind of Japanese Yakiniku made from beef or pork offal. You can find offal at Tsurumibashi shopping street and cook it in Cocoroom’s garden. Let us know if you are interested.
●Curry for large group
For a group of visitors such as students or study tour participants, we offer Japanese curry or hayashi rice. Please contact us by email or phone in advance.
Let’s eat home-made meals!
Lunch 12:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm, 1,100yen
We spend time around the dining table with travelers, passers-by,
neighbors, kids, volunteers, and staff members. You feel like a member
of a big family. Meals at Cocoroom are Japanese home-made style with
plenty of vegetables. Please help us prepare and make meals, when you
have time.
Our kitchen is also a social kitchen where guests may share the food of
their hometown.
●BBQ in the garden
Nishinari, where Cocoroom is located, is famous for Horumonyaki (ホルモン焼き). Horumonyaki is a kind of Japanese Yakiniku made from beef or pork offal. You can find offal at Tsurumibashi shopping street and cook it in Cocoroom’s garden. Let us know if you are interested.
●Curry for large group
For a group of visitors such as students or study tour participants, we offer Japanese curry or hayashi rice. Please contact us by email or phone in advance.
A video about people living in Kamagasaki “KAMAOPERA” produced by
“Isolation and Neighboring Relations in Osaka’s Kamagasaki:
The Gaps and What Breaks Through Them. To Express is to Live.” by Kanayo Ueda
“Standing at the Border of Art” by Kanayo Ueda
E-book (page 12 -14) “Learning about the World through Kamagasaki,
Speaking in One’s Own Language” by Kanayo Ueda
Video of the well digging at Kamagasaki University of the Arts
2-3-3 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 557-002
06-6636-1612
Cocoroom e-mail / info@cocoroom.org
Accommodations e-mail / room@cocoroom.org
ACCESS
◎From Shin-Osaka:
Subway Midosuji Line: Shin-Osaka Station → (20 min) → Dobutsuen-mae Station (Exit 2, then a 5-minute walk south)
◎From Umeda/Osaka Station:
Subway Midosuji Line: Umeda Station → (13 min) → Dobutsuen-mae Station (Exit 2, then a 5-minute walk south)
◎From Kansai International Airport:
①Nankai Electric Railway: Kansai Airport Station → (Rapid Express ‘Rapit’ 36 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk)
②Nankai Electric Railway: Kansai Airport Station → (Express 42 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk)
③JR: Kansai Airport Station → (‘Haruka’ Limited Express 33 min) → Tennoji Station → (2 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk)
④JR: Kansai Airport Station → (Rapid 55 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (East Exit, then a 10-minute walk)
⑤Airport Bus: Kansai International Airport → (63 min) → JR Namba Station → (4 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk)
2-3-3 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 557-002
06-6636-1612
Cocoroom e-mail / info@cocoroom.org
Accommodations e-mail / room@cocoroom.org
◎From Shin-Osaka: Subway Midosuji Line: Shin-Osaka Station → (20 min) → Dobutsuen-mae Station (Exit 2, then a 5-minute walk south) ◎From Umeda/Osaka Station: Subway Midosuji Line: Umeda Station → (13 min) → Dobutsuen-mae Station (Exit 2, then a 5-minute walk south) ◎From Kansai International Airport: ①Nankai Electric Railway: Kansai Airport Station → (Rapid Express 'Rapit' 36 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk) ②Nankai Electric Railway: Kansai Airport Station → (Express 42 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk) ③JR: Kansai Airport Station → ('Haruka' Limited Express 33 min) → Tennoji Station → (2 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk) ④JR: Kansai Airport Station → (Rapid 55 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (East Exit, then a 10-minute walk) ⑤Airport Bus: Kansai International Airport → (63 min) → JR Namba Station → (4 min) → Shin-Imamiya Station (South Exit, then a 15-minute walk)