Hello again — it’s Gussan!

February 14th is Valentine’s Day!
When I think of Valentine’s memories, the first thing that comes to mind is a scarf.
(Flashback)
The boyfriend I was dating at the time turned out to be cheating — and to top it off, he dumped me.
So I hurled the hand-knitted scarf I’d been working on night after night right at him…
That scarf was the first one I’d ever knitted, and I cried every day for ages.
A bittersweet memory.

Fast-forward a decade and a half… these days my Valentine’s Day means
letting the kids make my husband’s chocolates while
I give myself permission to indulge in sweets even more than usual — in other words,
a thoroughly chubby Valentine’s.

Which is exactly why I’m going!
Off to the Valentine’s Marche!!!!

Introducing LATOBASE

So today I want to introduce
the rental event space LATOBASE
located in Yoshitomi, Shisui-machi, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
I visited their opening marche last year, and the SaruKuma marche we held this past January was hosted at this venue too.

The concept is “a secret hideout where grown-ups can be kids again,” but
with a sandbox, swings, a bouldering wall, and lots of other play equipment,
children can have a blast here too —
making it the perfect fit for SaruKuma’s family-focused audience.

Check out our previous articles here ↓

[LATOBASE] A Secret Hideout for Grown-Ups Who Want to Be Kids Again! (Yoshitomi, Shisui-machi, Kikuchi City)

[1st SaruKuma Flea Market & Bread Marche] Over 500 Visitors! A Recap of Our First Event!

While LATOBASE is a rental event space,
they also host their own monthly Harvest Marche, with the theme changing each month.
This month, the event is the Valentine’s Marche!
Date & Time: February 14, 2021, 11:00–15:00
That’s literally Valentine’s Day!
Pick up a gift for someone special, or grab something just for yourself — honestly, that’s a totally legit move.
Cakes, cookies, fruit sandwiches… if you love sweets, you’ll be in heaven!

What’s Happening at the LATOBASE Marche

“Harvest Experience”
A colorful mini-tomato harvest experience. Held twice — once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Sign-ups open on the day, at the times listed below.
Morning session: 11:30, limited to 5 groups (sign-up from 11:00)
Afternoon session: 14:00, limited to 5 groups (sign-up from 13:00)
Participation fee: 1,000 yen per group

“Sweets”
Yon-hiki no Kobuta (sweets)
Miyashita Farm (cookies, chiffon cake, muffins, bread, brownies)
Lato Farm (sweets)
Akazukin no Budo no Ki (baked goods, crepes)
Contorno Shokudo (sweets, frozen takeaway deli items)
Ocha no Nakayama (dried fruit)

“Food”
TATOMIYA (sandwiches, fruit sandwiches)
Smokehouse En (Hashiru Buta sausages, roast pork, jerk chicken)
cafe zakka bb (wholesome meals, miscellaneous goods)
KEITA (Italian deli)
Shukou Wabi-sabi (hot dogs made with house-made sausages)
Torce Pan (bread)
Steak Bar Gaburi (rice balls, beef skewers)

“Catering Truck”
Yume Miruku ~Yoshii Farm~ (soft-serve ice cream)

“Drinks”
Masunaya Sake Shop (natural wines)
Poetry Funista (coffee, other drinks and goods)

“Goods & Crafts”
kafu (dried flowers, air plants, miscellaneous goods)
papipapishop (imported children’s clothing, handmade baby accessories)
CALINA. (handmade goods and accessories)
AfricAsiA (African crafts and goods)

“Workshop”
UHURU Leather (name-stamped keychain workshop, leather goods for sale)
*Vendor list as of February 3

LATOBASE Instagram Campaign

And there’s more — this time, take a photo at LATOBASE and post it, and
you’ll be entered into a draw to win a gift voucher you can use at the LATOBASE Marche
as part of a photo contest.
The grand prize is a 5,000-yen marche voucher!
Be sure to check it out and stop by the venue.
Happy Valentine’s Day!

LATO BASE OPEN Commemorative Instagram Campaign

Search “LATO BASE” on Google Maps to find the exact location.

LATOBASE Information

Website	https://latobase.site/	Restroom	Available
Vending machine	None	Diaper changing table	Available
Hand-washing area	Available	Suitable age	From 0 years old
Children’s play equipment	Available	Toys to bring	Not needed
Shaded areas	Available	Change of clothes	Not needed
Water play	Not allowed	Eating on premises	Allowed
Hazardous areas	None	Parking	Available