MOTOMACHI CONNECT (Representative Corporation: NTT Urban Development Corporation; Constituent Corporations: NTT Urban Value Support Corporation, Day-Night Corporation, Nippon Parking Development Co., Ltd., and Amano Management Services Co., Ltd.), the company promoting the "Hiroshima Prefectural Office Site Effective Utilization Project," is pleased to announce the opening of Hiroshima Prefectural Office SHOP & CAFE (hereinafter referred to as "the Facility") today at 10-50 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture (within the Hiroshima Prefectural Office site).
At the opening ceremony, Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima Prefecture, along with other guests and representatives from the business operators, broke open a sake barrel, marking the grand opening.
Additionally, an opening event, "MOTOMACHI PARKFUL DAY," will be held for two days, on March 29th (Sat) and 30th (Sun).
The facility consists of two wooden, one-story retail buildings, and includes relaxation spaces such as Shibafu Hiroba, Motohachi Garden, and Mori no Ki Terrace, as well as Motohachi Komichi, which connects Motomachi and Hatchobori.
Additionally, the facility will be able to be used as an integrated space with the Prefectural Office Forest on the south side of the site, which was renovated by Hiroshima Prefecture in conjunction with the construction of this facility, and is expected to become a place of relaxation for people working in the area and those visiting to shop.
■A warm-feeling store building decorated with wood from Hiroshima Prefecture (the first fire-resistant building in Japan for a commercial facility)
The two-story building harmonizes with the stately prefectural office building, while leaving the eaves and pillars and beams inside the store as exposed as possible, creating a space that exudes the warmth and softness of wood. The wooden louvers on the exterior walls are all made from cedar produced in Hiroshima Prefecture, reducing the environmental impact by using locally produced materials and expressing Hiroshima Prefecture's rich natural environment. Furthermore, this is the first commercial facility in Japan* to be fire-resistant, and by ensuring performance equivalent to that of a fire-resistant building, it has been possible to build a wooden building in a fire-resistant region.
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As of March 2025, according to NTT Urban Development Corporation research
■A comfortable and relaxing symbolic terrace and two lawn spaces
Located in the center of the site, "MORI no KI TERRACE" is a symbolic space surrounded by a large camphor tree transplanted from the forest of the neighboring prefectural office. In spring, it serves as a place for people to enjoy time outdoors, in summer as a place to take a moment's rest in the large shade of the tree, and in autumn as a place where the fruit ripens and you can feel the changing of the seasons, providing a time of relaxation for visitors.
Shibafu Square on the north side of the site is a large natural grass square. It welcomes visitors as a welcoming space in the front garden of the prefectural office, and even though it is in the heart of Hiroshima city, it is a town square rich in nature where you can feel the breeze and greenery of the grass, and you can spend your time as you like.
"Motohachi Garden" facing Rijo Street is a small, cozy lawn garden adjacent to the bus stop, which serves as the entrance to the shops and "Motohachi Komichi." It is a place that can be a companion for you every day, depending on the time and purpose, such as waiting for the bus or meeting up with friends.
The Prefectural Office Forest on the south side of the site was renovated by Hiroshima Prefecture in conjunction with the development of this facility. The two sites, which were originally separate, are now connected by a walking path, allowing them to be used as a unified space.
■Motohachikomichi, connecting the Motomachi and Hatchobori areas
In collaboration with Hiroshima Prefecture, we have constructed "Motohachikomichi," a road approximately 3.5 meters wide and 210 meters long, between the store building and Prefectural Office Forest. It runs east to west through the prefectural office grounds, connecting the Motomachi area, a transportation hub including the bus center and Astram Line, with the Hatchobori area, where redevelopment is underway. It will act as a new pedestrian route, attracting and sending off people from surrounding areas, improving accessibility and mobility in central Hiroshima.
The pavement, including "Motohachi Komichi," uses interlocking blocks made from finely crushed and recycled oyster shells from Hiroshima Prefecture. The two-colored interlocking blocks are arranged in a random design to create a path that makes you want to walk.
■Hiroshima motif design
The designs of the garlands used to prevent intrusions during the grass curing period and the stickers to prevent collisions with window glass feature silhouette motifs of Hiroshima's famous products and landmarks.
We hope that people visiting the Hiroshima Prefectural Office, people shopping at commercial facilities, and people waiting for the bus will take notice and have a heartwarming, colorful moment.
■"Forest Wooden Box" is a showcase showcasing the charms of Hiroshima
Six showcases called "Forest Wooden Boxes" will be installed on the exterior walls of the store building, displaying products related to Hiroshima. In collaboration with two initiatives, "BUY Hiroshima" and the "Hiroshima Good Design Award," exhibits will be selected from each. The exhibits will be rotated regularly, contributing to the promotion of Hiroshima Prefecture's diverse attractions and the development of its industry, economy, and tourism.
Two collaborative initiatives
BUY Hiroshima
With the motto "Choose something familiar, choose something good," this initiative promotes Hiroshima's unique and number one products, as well as products that have received national awards. We introduce a wide range of "Hiroshima products," from traditional crafts to high-tech industrial products, agricultural produce, and marine products.
Hiroshima Good Design Award
Established in 1994, this system recognizes products and other items with excellent designs originating in Hiroshima. By honoring creative products and supporting product development, the program aims to strengthen the design development capabilities of manufacturing companies and promote related industries.
■Tenant (Store name [Business type/lot number])
The commercial building, which consists of two wooden buildings, will house three unique stores perfect for everyday use. We look forward to welcoming you to the relaxing space that blends with the Shibafu Square and Mori no Ki Terrace in front of the building.
Merci life organics Hiroshima Prefectural Office Main Branch [Bakery Cafe / Section A]
Merci life organics is a retail bakery with its first store in Tokyo. This store will be the first flagship store in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Since our founding, we have used as many naturally derived ingredients and high-quality ingredients as possible, such as organic sugar and organic bean paste, in all of our breads, providing healthy, fragrant, and high-quality bread.
The most popular item is the "Premium Croissant," which is made with French AOP butter and fermented butter, resulting in a crunchy outside and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that allows you to enjoy the rich aroma of butter inside. To commemorate the opening, we will also be releasing a limited edition product made with lemons from Hiroshima Prefecture, so look forward to it.
OMNIBUS ROASTERS MOTOMACHI HUB STATION [Cafe / Section B]
OMNIBUS ROASTERS MOTOMACHI HUB STATION is a specialty coffee shop based in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. We deliver the highest quality coffee using fresh beans that are carefully handpicked and roasted in our in-store roaster.
Their signature products are the "Machi Kojo Blend," an original blend made with only carefully selected beans from around the world, and the "Omnibus Blend," a lightly roasted coffee with a fruity aroma. They also offer healthy, handmade baked goods, such as financiers made with rice flour and cookies made with citrus fruits from Hiroshima Prefecture.
In addition, our store has been designated as a Type B Continuing Employment Support Business, which supports staff with disabilities or serious illnesses in finding employment and becoming independent, and will also operate as a place of employment to help them work towards their dreams and goals.
Lawson Hiroshima Prefectural Office Store [Convenience Store / Section C]
The store is a hybrid that combines the characteristics of Lawson and Poplar, and will be operated as a concept store, adopting a warm design that makes use of the wooden space of the building itself and selling products made in Hiroshima Prefecture.
In addition to Lawson's flagship product, Karaage-kun, and a wide selection of sweets, the store will also offer household goods such as MUJI.
Additionally, "Popben," a long-time favorite of local Hiroshima residents, will offer a wide selection of items, including "Freshly Cooked Fried Chicken Bento." Customers can choose the amount of hot rice cooked in-store to their liking.
Store List
| section | Store name | Industry/Business type | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Merci life organics Hiroshima Prefectural Office Main Store (Merci Life Organics Hiroshima Prefectural Government Main Store) | Bakery Cafe | 10:00~18:00 |
| B | OMNIBUS ROASTERS MOTOMACHI HUB STATION (Omnibus Roasters Motomachi Hub Station) | Cafe | 8:00~18:30 |
| C | Lawson Hiroshima Prefectural Office (Lawson Hiroshima Prefectural Government Building) | convenience store | 7:00~22:00 |
- Business hours and other details may be subject to change. Please check the website or social media of each store for details.
■Opening event "MOTOMACHI PARKFUL DAY"
To commemorate the opening, "MOTOMACHI PARKFUL DAY" will be held for two days, on Saturday, March 29th and Sunday, March 30th, 2025. For more information, please refer to the official website (https://www.pacela.jp/motomachi-parkful-day).
Facility Overview
| location | 10-50 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Site area | 2,814.61㎡ |
| Gross Floor Area | 589.60m2 (West building: 225.24 m2, East building: 364.36m2) |
| structure | wooden |
| scale | West building: 1st floor, East building: 1st floor |
| Use | Commercial stores, grassy area |
| access | 3 minutes walk from Hiroshima Electric Railway "Kamiyacho Higashi" tram stop 2 minutes walk from Astram Line "Kencho-mae" station 5 minutes walk from Hiroshima Bus Center |
| business operator | (Group name) MOTOMACHI CONNECT [Business operator] NTT Urban Development Corporation (representative corporation) NTT Urban Value Support Co., Ltd. Day Night Co., Ltd. Nippon Parking Development Co., Ltd. Amano Management Services Co., Ltd. |
| design | SUEP Co., Ltd., Tomoki Nagase Architectural Design Office |
| Construction | Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd. |
| Construction Start | April 2024 |
| Opening | Thursday, March 27, 2025 |
■Related release
- Construction begins on new commercial facility and lawn plaza on Hiroshima Prefectural Office site
~A new, lively and relaxing hub open to the city and the people of the prefecture~ (April 11, 2024) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news/detail/id/n26725.html - A new spot will grand open in front of the Hiroshima Prefectural Government Office on Thursday, March 27th
-Three stores, including the first in the prefecture, and an opening event have also been announced- (January 17, 2025) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news/detail/id/n26845.html
■Reference: Development around the Hiroshima Prefectural Government Office, undertaken by NTT Urban Development
NTT Urban Development, the representative entity of "MOTOMACHI CONNECT," is developing and operating this project as well as Hiroshima Gate Park, which is scheduled to open in March 2023, and HIROSHIMA STADIUM PARK is scheduled to open in August 2024. Under the catchphrase "Urban Park Life HIROSHIMA Concept - More One with the City," the company will work to create a city that connects customers, stakeholders, and various facilities, in order to realize a lifestyle that is unique to the Motomachi area of central Hiroshima.
[Contact Information]
NTT Urban Development Corporation
Public Relations Office Kobari and Abe
nttud-pr@ntt-us.com