Hello travelers!
This is Binako, a writer for Sarukuma!

We’re thrilled to share the recap of a project we’d been quietly cooking up behind the scenes:
the “Sarukuma Flea Market & Bread Marche”
finally came to life!

The Venue

The event was held at
LATO BASE
located in Yoshitomi, Shisui-machi, Kikuchi City^^

LATO BASE is a former cattle barn that had fallen out of use,
lovingly transformed under the philosophy of
creating a space where people can reconnect with nature
It’s truly a secret hideaway for grown-ups.

Renovated almost entirely by hand from a long-abandoned barn,
LATO BASE is a rare venue that can host events even on rainy days — perfect for Kumamoto’s unpredictable weather.

The space is also available for rent, and LATO BASE hosts its own monthly harvest events.
Be sure to check out the LATO BASE website too^^

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[LATO BASE] A Secret Hideaway for Grown-Ups Where You Can Become a Kid Again! (Yoshitomi, Shisui-machi, Kikuchi City)

Setting Up

Preparations for opening day kicked off bright and early.

With wonderful cooperation from our vendors who arrived early in the morning,
we got each booth set up and stocked.

At the reception desk, we strictly enforced COVID-19 safety measures —
hand sanitizer, temperature checks, and contact tracing forms for everyone.
A huge thank-you to all our visitors and vendors for their cooperation.

The Event Atmosphere

And finally — the Sarukuma Flea Market & Bread Marche was officially open!

Some guests even arrived before the doors opened,
and I couldn’t hide my excitement at the front desk!

So many wonderful visitors showed up, and hearing things like
“I saw the announcement on Sarukuma’s Instagram and website!”
made it such a heartwarming experience.

Others told us
“A neighbor recommended this event to me!”
and many came along with family or friends.

From the flea market booths brimming with handmade crafts and pre-loved treasures,
to the bread marche booths filled with local Kumamoto bakeries —
the whole venue was buzzing with happy shoppers.

There was even a kids’ play area,
and it was heartwarming to see parents and children playing together,
and kids making new friends right before our eyes.By midday, the snow that had piled up began to melt,
the chill softened, and it turned into a perfect marche day.

The cheerful sound of children playing on the outdoor equipment and in the sandbox echoed across the venue,
filling the entire space with bright, joyful energy.

(Though not pictured here) we set up tables and chairs in the open area
so visitors could enjoy their purchases right on the spot.
With its open-air vibe, guests enjoyed a wonderfully different kind of lunch experience.

A Successful Wrap-Up

Our very first Sarukuma event,
the “Sarukuma Flea Market & Bread Marche,”
despite COVID-19 challenges and a cold snap,
at one point completely filled the parking lot,
and welcomed over 500 visitors in total!

During the final cleanup,
even the kids enthusiastically pitched in to help.
From start to finish, everyone involved came together as one team
to make this event a success.

Final Thoughts

This was Sarukuma’s very first event,
and it turned out to be a truly joyful day.

None of this would have been possible without
our amazing vendors and the LATO BASE team,
who helped from preparation right through to cleanup.

And hearing such kind, happy comments from our visitors
was incredibly encouraging for all of us.

From dawn until dusk,
so many helping hands came together to create this event,
and we couldn’t have asked for a better debut.
It was a moment that energized us to put even more passion into Sarukuma’s future projects.

We truly met so many wonderful people,
and made memories we’ll cherish.

We’re already planning to host events regularly going forward,
so please join us next time!

Thank You to Our Wonderful Vendors

*In no particular order
Food Booths
Majime ni Narenai
Torche Pan
Ishikawa Seipan
Marche au Pain
Pizza Yoshi
Wabi Sabi
Panda-go Kumamoto
Yume Miruku
Lato Nouen

Flea Market
atelier meteoracle
truepurpledragon
GoodGood
Tink
RSK
oracle
le.reve & aosilk
ange flower
SAIZO
UHURU leather
sumile
LaLagem & LEA
AMS
nanairo original
Anon
Belinda & culuculu
The Sarukuma Mom Writers

Thank you so much for joining us!
LATO BASE — A Secret Hideaway for Grown-Ups Where You Can Become a Kid Again

Phone	0968-41-5082
Website	https://latobase.site/
Members	9