This project aims to renovate the former drive-in restaurant "Hikyaku" in Koda-cho, Akitakata City, Hiroshima Prefecture, with a planned reopening in autumn 2026. The facility, known for its striking thatched roof, closed its doors 12 years ago, and organizers hope to transform it into a community hub where local residents can gather and pursue new ideas.
The project's name references "Hyakuman Isshin" (百万一心), a teaching attributed to Mori Motonari, a famous warlord with historical ties to Akitakata City. The phrase conveys the idea of many people uniting their hearts to accomplish a shared goal. Rather than simply restoring an old building, the campaign weaves in this local historical and cultural narrative, giving supporters a sense of both nostalgia and hope for the region's future.
The campaign is being run as a reward-based crowdfunding project on CAMPFIRE, one of Japan's largest crowdfunding platforms. It is expected to attract support from people interested in revitalizing local resources and creating community spaces. Specific figures such as the funding goal and current progress were not available in public sources at the time of writing.
Highlights
- Designed to evoke nostalgia by drawing on memories of the beloved former drive-in
- Incorporates a local historical teaching into the fundraising narrative
- Centers the restoration around the building's distinctive thatched roof
Why this campaign attracts support
Editorial analysis based on publicly available information. It is not a confirmed account of why backers chose to give.
What makes this project compelling isn't just the renovation of a building, but the storytelling that combines "community memory" with a historical teaching. Because the drive-in was once cherished by local residents, the project can directly appeal to people with existing fondness and memories of the place, helping generate early momentum in support.
By invoking Mori Motonari's "Hyakuman Isshin," a phrase deeply rooted in the region's history, the project frames itself not as one person's business revival but as a collective community endeavor. This public-minded framing gives outside supporters a reason to feel they are "joining the region's story," lowering the psychological barrier to donating or purchasing rewards. The rare thatched roof also offers strong visual appeal, making the project well-suited for sharing on social media. For other local business owners considering crowdfunding, this case demonstrates how turning local resources into a narrative, paired with a historical symbol, can be an effective way to motivate supporters.
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A note from the editors
What stands out about this project is how it preserves the memory of a beloved former drive-in while anchoring the campaign in Mori Motonari's historical teaching of "Hyakuman Isshin." Rather than treating this as a simple facility renovation, the organizers have reframed the local story in a way that resonates with supporters—an approach worth studying for anyone considering crowdfunding centered on local resources. The rare thatched roof also seems likely to be a strength in terms of visual appeal and shareability. While details like the funding goal remain to be disclosed, the way this project connects regional history with future challenges could offer valuable insights for other local revitalization efforts across Japan.