A Powerful Parenting Ally, Born in Kumamoto!

Gussan

Hi everyone — I’m Gussan, editor-in-chief of Sarukuma.
Between work, housework and raising the kids, life can feel like a juggling act.
“I want to spend more time playing with my child, but the chores still need doing…” — many moms and dads face that same dilemma.
The secret weapon for moments like these? Carrying baby on your back — “onbu” style.
Let me tell you a bit more about it.

Back-carrying babies might sound a little old-fashioned to some.
But the truth is, “onbu” offers wonderful benefits for both baby and the person carrying them!
There’s the comforting closeness baby feels against your back, the easy communication, the freedom of having both hands available, and how naturally it lets you interact with older siblings, too.
Did you know there’s a Kumamoto-based brand making this traditional Japanese back-carrying style easier and more enjoyable than ever?

Gussan

Even if you’re thinking, “We don’t really use back carriers at our house…” — please hear me out!
For 10 years, this wonderful Kumamoto company has been creating events and gathering spaces for kids, moms and dads. There’s so much more here than just baby carriers, so I really want every parent in Kumamoto to know about them.

The Traditional “Mokko” Back Carrier, Reimagined

Kaori

Hello, I’m Kaori from Gran Mocco.
We took the traditional “mokko” back carrier from Kumamoto’s Amakusa region and redesigned it to be stylish and beginner-friendly — that’s how the gran mocco baby carrier was born.
Front-carrying and back-carrying both keep baby close, but back-carrying offers unique benefits all its own.

Gussan

“What’s actually different between front-carry and back-carry?”
Honestly, I used to wonder the same thing! Please tell me more ♩

Kaori

Let me share three of the many benefits ♩
① The higher position lets baby see the world from your eye level — broadening their view! They stay curious and engaged with everything around them.
② Holding on to your back actually supports baby’s physical and mental development.
③ The higher center of gravity reduces strain on the carrier, and with both hands and your front free, you can move easily.
Even during housework, you can see what you’re doing more clearly than with front-carrying — and baby stays safer.

Gussan

Letting baby see the world from your eye level is wonderful.
When I was front-carrying, cooking was tough — I couldn’t see what I was doing and the stove was too close. With back-carrying, both baby and parent feel safer.

Gussan

Since it’s a back carrier, can you only use it for back-carrying?

Kaori

Not at all! gran mocco is made from a single piece of fabric — no buckles, no hardware. That means it has 9 different uses (including as a chair belt), so you can lighten your bag when heading out. There’s no need to readjust between users, and it keeps baby snug against you.

Gussan

9 different uses?! My husband and I have very different builds, so I always found readjusting a hassle.
In the end, I was the only one using our front carrier. If I’d known about this sooner, we could have shared the joys of back-carrying together…

Kaori

Snug back-carrying with no readjusting between mom and dad — that’s something only gran mocco can offer. Time with your child is precious, and even on busy days, I really hope parents can use back-carrying as a way to stay connected.

Gussan

I really wish I’d known about the benefits of back-carrying earlier! And actually, Gran Mocco runs a community space that goes way beyond baby carriers — they support parents and enrich daily life through all sorts of activities. Let me introduce it ♩

What is Gran Mocco Village?

Gussan

The hub for all of these activities is Gran Mocco Village, located in Nagamine, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City (behind the Red Cross Hospital)!

Kaori

It’s a studio where moms feel at home and kids can have fun, too.
Let me share some of what we do here.

・Events and back-carrying experience sessions held in the spacious studio.
・Fermentation Academy Cafe — featuring fermented lunches, sweets, and fermented cooking classes.
Original granola and brown rice puffed crackers are also for sale.
・The 22nd of every month is “Onbu (Back-carry) Day”, with events designed for babies and as a treat for moms.
The next one is the “Onbu Day Marche” on November 22nd.
・Gran Mocco Farm — a community farm that babies and kids alike can enjoy.
・Gran Mocco Ambassador training programs teach others how to use the gran mocco baby carrier.
And many more workshops and classes for babies and moms!

Kaori

We host events that nurture body and mind, plus classes that bring more richness to everyday life.

Gussan

There’s even a little secret-base-style space in the corner of the studio for the kids — so they can have fun while you enjoy lunch or a class ♩

Kaori

Event dates and details are posted on the Gran Mocco Village Instagram and website.
Do check out the gran mocco baby carrier page too.

Gussan

Start by getting to know them ♩ You might just find that one little spark that makes you want to drop by!

A Special Exhibition with a “Fermentation” Theme!

Gussan

Now let me introduce the special exhibition held this time of year!

Kaori

No need to rush — just trust and wait.
“Fermentation and parenting are surprisingly similar,” we thought — and so this year’s theme is “Fermentation.”

Now Fermenting
～Savoring Time with Baby — A First Winter Together～

Through patient waiting, fermentation grows richer and more delicious.
It’s okay to go slowly. There’s no need to rush.
That message rings just as true for parenting.

Dates: Monday, November 17 – Sunday, December 7, 2025
Venues: 3 locations across Kumamoto Prefecture
・Gran Mocco Village (2-5-56 Nagamine-Minami, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City)
・Wine Diner Tokiwa (2-4-28 Tsuboi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City)
・Tsuki to Koya (1610-3 Waifu, Kikuchi City)
Each venue will host fermented cooking classes and workshops.
Some events also offer online streaming.

Kaori

A wonderful guest from Tokyo will be joining us!
This time, we’re stepping outside Gran Mocco Village with a relay-style series of cooking classes and workshops at each venue. Don’t miss the fermentation & baby food class on November 21st by Yui-san of Kamoshida Farm — a featured contributor to the magazine “Ukatama”! Check the exhibition details here ♩

Gussan

A class on fermentation and baby food that brings out the best in vegetables — sounds like it’ll seriously upgrade everyday meals! Both adults and kids can give delicious fermented food a try.

Kaori

When people hear “fermentation,” they often imagine it’s hard or time-consuming.
In the exhibition, we’ll share simple tips through lunches and classes for bringing fermentation into your daily life.
Using fermented seasonings makes it so much easier to get started.

Gussan

That’s exactly it… I’ve always wanted to try fermented foods for health, but somewhere in my mind I thought it would be too much trouble.

Kaori

Especially on busy days, I’d love for everyone to let fermentation be your ally and nourish your spirit, too. And as a source of energy for babies and children, it makes me happy to imagine families sharing the same wholesome ingredients at the table.

Kaori

This is our first relay-style event.
We’re heading beyond Gran Mocco Village to host lunches, dinners and workshops at Wine Diner Tokiwa and Tsuki to Koya. Treat yourself to fermented lunches that nourish the body — and don’t forget that wine is also a fermented food!

Gussan

Oh right — wine is fermented too! Fermented foods are actually all around us. Maybe starting with fermented seasonings is a great first step.

Kaori

Exactly. If you love making things from scratch, go for it — and if you’re busy, just using fermented seasonings is wonderful too. At the workshops, we’ll also chat together about fermentation and parenting.

Gussan

Even if it feels intimidating to try alone, joining other participants makes it a fun way to dive into fermentation and parenting together ♩
Some exhibition events require reservations, and the booking contacts vary — please see the link below.

★ [Special Exhibition] Now Fermenting — Savoring Time with Baby, A First Winter Together
Dates, locations, workshop details and booking info are all listed there — please take a look.

Cherishing the “Connections Between People”

Gussan

I attended a Gran Mocco Village event once, and I was really moved by how their work goes far beyond just baby carriers — it’s so deep and far-reaching!

Kaori

Thank you so much. We’re delighted when people discover the joys of back-carrying, but ultimately, what matters most is that moms and dads can live healthy, fulfilling lives. If our events and classes can help spark that, we couldn’t be happier.

Gussan

More than anything, the message I want to share is this: Gran Mocco Village is a place where people connect with people.
Of course there are friends and communities you’ll meet through the baby carrier itself. But there are also so many connections and new discoveries through the fermentation events, parenting classes, and more.
With so many touchpoints, it’s easier to open up when you meet face to face — and there’s a real sense of comfort here.

Kaori

That makes me so happy. “Connecting people” has been at the heart of what we do for 10 years. Whatever brings someone in is fine by us. The exhibition might be the start of a wonderful new connection — I’m already so excited.

Gussan

I run Sarukuma too, so I really get it. The challenge for us is that without a physical space, we don’t get many chances to connect in person…
That’s exactly why I want everyone to go meet Kaori-san — she’ll always welcome you with open arms.

Kaori

Anyone curious about the back carrier is welcome to come and try one out.
The reassurance, warmth and emotional connection your child feels through your back — that’s the true value of the gran mocco baby carrier, in our view.

Gussan

In a world full of information, it’s so important to experience things first and then choose for yourself what you really need. Whether it’s back-carrying or anything else, that mindful approach matters.

Kaori

I couldn’t agree more.
We’d love for you to experience it, discover its qualities, and only purchase if you’re truly happy.
Our online community “Gran Mocco Family” also offers online consultations, event discount coupons, and more.
We’d love for you to come visit Gran Mocco Village — at the exhibition or anytime!
We can’t wait to meet you.

Gussan

There’s so much you only discover by actually being there! Through the exhibition, the Onbu Day Marche, or any of the classes — I really hope you’ll get to know Gran Mocco, the team supporting parenting in Kumamoto ♩

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