Introduction

Aging is something so special and wonderful.
But instead of treating elders as people who can contribute to the growth of younger generations, we may be treating them as people who need to be cared for. Do our elders feel a sense of belonging in the places that were created especially for them?

We often hear that “everybody needs their own ibasho.”
But what exactly is an ibasho? Can we find an ibasho by simply waiting around for one? Is it good enough if you find your ibasho, even if you don’t feel connected to others?

With Ibasho Café, we hope to create a place where people of all ages naturally mingle and share their knowledge and experience, a place where everyone in the community can contribute.

This is not a manual to operate a community café. We hope to create the opportunity for you to reflect on your day-to-day life, as well as the part you play in your community.

After reading this book, we hope that you’ll see elders in your community through a slightly different lens. How would your life be different if you had an Ibasho Café in your community?

Ibasho Café booklet is available at the iBooks Store. Click here to download it.

Illustration by Kyoko Takahashi

The Authors

Emi Kiyota, Founder and Representative of Ibasho

Conducts research and consulting for creating elderly-friendly environments such as medical institutions, nursing homes and urban development. Emi is a Japanese national who lives in Washington D.C. She also enjoys gardening.

Allen Power, Geriatrician

An advocate for transforming preconceptions of elderly people with dementia and the care provided for them. Allen lectures worldwide on the practice of “person-centered care.” Also a semi-professional musician, Allen is an American living in Rochester, New York.

Kyoko Takahashi, Graphic Designer

Creator of the drawings in this picture book. Kyoko loves languages, drawing, dancing and good food. She always manages to sneak in a picture of her dog in her drawings. Born in Chapel Hill, Carolina, and raised in Tokyo, Japan.

Yasuhiro Tanaka, Ibasho Research Fellow

Researches “Ibasho in the Community” in places such as Senri Newtown, Osaka, and currently conducting research on the first Ibasho Café in Ofunato. A Kyoto citizen, Yasuhiro enjoys photographing various aspects of community life.

Maho Harada, Translator & Project Manager

Translates and organizes events for Ibasho. An avid photographer and food enthusiast, Maho coordinates anything from film shoots to French cuisine festivals. Born in Japan, lived in the US, Canada and France.

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In creating its Eight Principles, Ibasho received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.