“Closing in March 2027” a sign declares. This marks the end for Kawasaki Shimin Plaza. But let’s celebrate its history.
Kawasaki Shimin Plaza is a community hub. It is located in Takatsu-ku Kawasaki in Japan. The plaza has many facilities. These include a theater meeting rooms and a swimming pool. There is also a gym. A Japanese garden with walking paths is also available.
The building commemorates Kawasaki’s designation. Kawasaki became a government-administered city in 1972. The plaza opened in 1979. It marked an important administrative milestone.
Kawasaki Shimin Plaza integrates traditional Japanese elements. It features a tea ceremony room. The Plaza provides spaces for community gatherings. The west entrance operates from 7:00 to 21:30. The east entrance is open from 9:00 to 18:00. Specific closing periods exist.
The building features distinctive red brick architecture. It once boasted seventeen ice cream flavors. These were available in its vending machines.
Kawasaki Shimin Plaza has a rich history. It served as a Comic Market venue. This happened four times between 1980 and 1981. In 1989 a Shogi Championship match took place. Part of the match was open to the public in the hall.
The Kawasaki City Specified City Commemorative Project Corporation dissolved. This happened in March 2012. The city introduced a designated manager system. The first designated period lasted three years. A group of three companies was selected.
Due to aging the city is closing Kawasaki Shimin Plaza. Full-scale renovations were deemed unreasonable. The city reported closure plans to a committee. The closure will occur at the end of March 2027.
Kawasaki Shimin Plaza offers various facilities. A 25m swimming pool exists. The “Furusato Theater” hall seats 489 people. There is an indoor plaza with a glass roof. A gymnasium and training room are available. Other facilities include bath rooms a Go and Shogi room. Restaurant Karein and an outdoor Japanese garden are also present.
The Japanese garden features a tea room. It models the national treasure Jo-an. A theory suggests that the small Takanawa station was nearby. This was an ancient Tokaido road station. The tea room is named “small Takanawa station”.
The swimming pool uses waste heat. This heat comes from the adjacent cleaning plant. The cleaning plant stopped incineration in 2014. Reconstruction is underway.
Kawasaki Shimin Plaza underwent renovations. The renovations took place from October 2021 to January 2022. Work included replacing electrical equipment. Sprinkler heads were exchanged. New pipes were installed. These pipes receive steam from the incineration plant.
Initially lodging was possible. The lodging service discontinued in April 2012. This coincided with the management system introduction.
Kawasaki Shimin Plaza is accessible. It is a 15-minute walk from Kajigaya Station. The Kawasaki City Bus also serves the plaza. The bus stops inside the grounds. A nearby road is nicknamed “Citizen Plaza Street”.
Though its doors will soon close the memories and community ties forged within Kawasaki Shimin Plaza will endure. The plaza’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those it served for nearly five decades.