Kawatana Town, Higashisonogi District, Nagasaki Prefecture.
Located in the center of the prefecture, the city faces Omura Bay and is surrounded by rich nature.

Omura Bay is a quiet bay with a view of the horizon, but in the past, important facilities of the former navy, including a torpedo launching test site, were built here. Yasuyuki Matsukuma was fascinated by Kawatana Town, where you can feel nature and history.

We will explore the charm of Kawatana Town through the shop run by Matsukuma.

Enchanted by the main building of a former shipyardA remnant of the shipyard days is the ramp in front of the store that was used to pull up ships.

Matsukuma-san originally worked as a designer in Fukuoka for many years, but now he has moved to Kawatana Town and runs a design company with his wife, Ayame, just a one-minute walk from the torpedo launch test site, while also managing a cafe and a shop where you can experience sea kayaking.

When their office at the time became too small, they were searching for a new location and discovered a property that was formerly the main building of a shipyard. "If you think about it carefully, you'll probably find many reasons not to give up. But I thought that if I hesitated, things wouldn't move forward...I instinctively wanted it, so I was able to make a decision quite quickly," Matsukuma recalls.

In fact, the tables in the restaurant were hand-made by Mr. Matsukuma! The couple also did as much DIY as they could, such as painting the exterior walls.

Revitalizing the town with the attractions we discovered, and promoting tourism

At first, the Matsukuma couple lived in two locations, one in Fukuoka and the other in Kawatana.However, they felt that it would be a waste to leave their location overlooking Omura Bay, so they decided to try opening BUCO cafe and 10 Steps Garage, where guests could try out sea kayaking and SUP.

The name BUCO cafe was inspired by the Matsukuma couple's beloved dog.Dogs are allowed inside the cafe, so not only people but also dogs can enjoy the view of Omura Bay while spending a relaxing time at the cafe.

Ogushi Bolognese

Ogushi tomatoes, a specialty of Kawatana Town, are extremely popular and are also known as the "phantom tomato."
A low-temperature concentrated puree was developed so that people could enjoy it all year round, not just during the harvest season. The "Iroha Tomato Project" was launched to use this to make year-round menu items at restaurants and confectionery shops in the town, attracting people from inside and outside the town. As the representative, Matsukuma works daily to make Kawatana Tomatoes known not only in the prefecture and beyond, but all over the country, saying, "When you think of Kawatana Town, Ogushi Tomatoes are famous for their deliciousness!"

Umikami Shrine + Natural Rock Tunnel Course

10 Steps Garage was born out of a location in the relatively calm Omura Bay, rather than the open sea, with many scenic spots nearby, and the sea only about 10 steps from the property.

You can visit various spots while being rocked by the gentle waves, such as the former torpedo launch site, Kaijin Shrine, and passing through natural rocks. After an active day, you can enjoy lunch or a light meal at the attached BUCO cafe while looking out at the natural scenery of Omura Bay.

A place where connections are born

BUCO cafe and 10 Steps Garage are next door to each other. The Matsukuma couple will greet you with a smile.

Matsukuma takes advantage of the town's charm to promote it not only locally but also nationwide through social media.

"I never thought I'd move to Nagasaki and do something there. I'm the kind of person who doesn't set high standards for things that seem interesting, and just tries things and thinks about them, so before I knew it, I'd ended up here (laughs)."

In addition to the "Irohani Tomato Project," the center also hosts occasional jazz and classical music events. It is a place where people can come together through a variety of styles, including food, activities, pet dogs, and music, while exchanging opinions with locals and tourists alike about the future of the town.

Today, people who enjoy their own style visit Matsukuma. Not only can they enjoy what they love while traveling, but it may also be an opportunity to discover a side of themselves that they never knew existed.

BUCO cafe / 10 steps Garage

Address: 140-39 Mitsukoshigo, Kawatana-cho, Higashisonogi-gun, Nagasaki Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes on foot from the Seihi Bus "Osaki Park Entrance" bus stop

「BUCO cafe」カフェ
電話：080-2393-7209
HP：https://bucocafe.com/ (予約）
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/bucocafe/

「 10歩Garage」シーカヤック/SUP体験
電話：070-2839-4345
HP：https://10pogarage.com/ (予約)
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/10pogarage/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.