Takatsu Factory Demolition Festival: Celebrating Community and Sustainability
On June 14, 2025, the Takatsu area of Kawasaki City will host the "Takatsu Factory Demolition Festival—Weaving the Future with Community Spirit and Industrial Strength." This event is a collaborative effort between several key organizations including Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate, Toshitechno Co., Aji-No-Moto Foods, and the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science.
The festival aims to blend education and entertainment, creating an environment where local community members can engage in various activities centered around sustainability and urban design. More than just a celebration, it is a time for reflection on the past and envisioning the future of the area following the demolition of the long-standing Aji-No-Moto Factory, which has been a beloved local symbol since its closure in October 2021.
With a mission to promote sustainable urban development, Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate is keen on reducing environmental impact through improved energy efficiency and resource conservation. The demolition festival not only marks the end of an era for the factory but also symbolizes a new beginning—a new logistics and R&D facility set to be constructed on the site.
Event Details
The festival will run from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and entry is free. It will take place at the former site of the Aji-No-Moto Factory located at 2-12-1 Shimono-Nage, Takatsu Ward, Kawasaki City.
Purpose of the Demolition Festival
The goal of the festival is to express gratitude toward the buildings that have served the community, while inspiring attendees to visualize the future of the Takatsu area. It will combine the industrial strengths of Kawasaki with art and creative expression, engaging over 2,300 attendees, including local residents and former factory workers.
Activities Offered
- - Aji-No-Moto Stamp Rally: Participants can collect stamps by engaging in various experiential programs throughout the festival. Completing the rally will reward them with products from "Knorr."
- - Hands-On Workshops: The festival will include a workshop by Daiko Seiki Co. where participants can create robot-shaped keychains using lathes, alongside kaleidoscope-making sessions hosted by the Kawasaki Youth Invention Club. Observing the joy on children's faces as they immerse themselves in craftwork is sure to bring smiles to their parents.
- - Disaster Preparedness Zone: Programs designed to raise disaster awareness will take place, showcasing the future facility's role as an evacuation site. This includes exhibitions by the Kawasaki Gender Equality Center and a smoke experience by the Takatsu Fire Department.
- - Vehicle Display and Photo Booth: A hit with children, this activity allows them to climb aboard trucks and other operational vehicles to snap photos.
- - Art Spaces: Participants will transform the walls, floors, and windows of the soon-to-be-demolished building into a temporary canvas, expressing gratitude and future hopes through their art.
- - Culinary Delights: A selection of food trucks will offer a variety of delicious cuisines, including crepes, kebabs, hot dogs, and bento boxes.
- - Live Performances: The event will feature a live interactive performance by Marukado, an idol group from Senshu Gakuin University, along with community art workshops hosted by NENGO to capture the memories of Takatsu through art.
- - Educational Programs on Demolition: Visitors can learn about the history of the Aji-No-Moto Factory and engage in discussions on the future of urban development, including programs from the University of Tokyo's Industrial Science branch.
Future Plans for the Site
Following the festival, Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate aims to contribute actively to the local community by developing a space that reflects sustainable urban planning principles. The logistics and R&D facilities planned for the former factory site will address various industrial needs, demonstrating a commitment to a brighter economic future.
In summary, the Takatsu Factory Demolition Festival is more than just a community event; it is a hopeful commemoration of the past and a celebration of what the future holds for the local community. Through collaboration and innovation, the festival embodies the essence of community spirit, paving the way for sustainable urban design in Kawasaki.