1. What is Link MURAYAMA?

“Link MURAYAMA” is a complex facility where many people can gather, learn, and have fun.

The school building of Yamagata Prefectural Tateoka High School, which was closed in 2016, was renovated and opened as “Link MURAYAMA” in 2022.

It is characterized by the coexistence of public and private sectors, providing space to meet a variety of needs.

It is a facility that brings together a variety of functions, including co-working space, restaurants, and accommodation facilities, and can be used by people of all ages.

※Link from MURAYAMA official website

The building is divided into buildings A, B, C, an indoor plaza, and an outdoor plaza, and each area has its own distinctive spots.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the recommended spots!

2. Building A

① Living and co-working space

There is a large open space on the first floor of Building A.

The warm wooden tables and chairs were lined up, creating a bright space with soft natural light streaming in.

It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as chatting with friends, relaxing at the café, studying or working.

Another plus for parents is that there is a raised area.

At the time of the interview, the market was being held.

It plays a central role in the entire Facility as a place where people can gather, interact, and foster connections.

② Yama Bagel & Coffee Stand

“Yama Bagel & Coffee Stand” offers adult-oriented bagels that are chewy, plump, and heavy.

It is also a sister store of Yama Bagel in Higashine City.

The bagel types and combinations change with the seasons, so you can enjoy new flavors every time you visit.

You can also enjoy gelato from COZAB GELATO, a popular gelato shop in Yamagata Prefecture.

This gelato, made with great care and respect for the ingredients and the passion of local producers, is a must-try.

I was told that the smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich wasn’t sold at Yama Bagel in Higashine City, so I ordered one instead.

The volume is amazing!!

The rich cream cheese and salty smoked salmon are a perfect match, and the bagel crust brings out the flavor of the ingredients.

As you leave the living/co-working space and walk down the hallway, you’ll see a large school emblem!

The school emblem that was once displayed on the front of the school building has been relocated and put on display following renovation work.

It’s wonderful that the memorable school emblem is preserved to welcome the graduates.

If you go further down the hallway, you’ll find a shared kitchen and a Japanese-style room!

The shared kitchen is an open space that can be used for meals and breaks.

On the weekend of the day of our visit, a lesson on “pizza nu-ma,” a handmade pizza we’ll introduce later, was also scheduled.

The Japanese-style rooms are also comfortable and relaxing spaces.

It is possible to rent the space exclusively, so why not use it for creative activities or hobbies?

③ Coworking space/Meeting room

There is also a co-working space with rented seats on the second floor of Building A.

There are also partitions, making it a great choice for those who want a more focused environment.

The meeting room can also accommodate business meetings and workshops.

The equipment is also well-equipped with monitors and whiteboards.

3. Building B

① Wellbase Murayama

Next is Building B.

This facility houses the fitness gym “Wellbase Murayama” and “Coin Laundry Prado.”

Wellbase Murayama has the latest training equipment!

At the time of our visit, people of all ages were using the facility to maintain their health and refresh themselves.

② Coin Laundry Prado

Coin Laundry Prado, located opposite the entrance of Wellbase Murayama, is equipped with the latest washing machines and dryers.

You can also use it after going to the gym or when staying at one of the guesthouses we will introduce later.

4. Building C

① Kids Lab

“Kids Lab” on the first floor of Building C is an open space that supports children’s “experiences” and “learning.”

The interior is spacious!

The school provides an environment where students can work on their homework and studies through activities such as crafts, art, ICT (information processing and communication technology), and science.

It is being used as a lab that gives children the opportunity to visualize their future.

Board games are also available for rental in the administration office.

Please feel free to contact us for more information on how to play.

② Pizza nu-ma

Next, we went to “pizza nu-ma”, located right next to Kids Lab.

The desks and chairs fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the Facility.

Here you can enjoy fluffy, crispy and chewy hand-kneaded pizza made with their own unique dough.

We recommend the four-cheese pizza, which cheese lovers will love, as well as the optional heart-shaped pizza.

* Provided by Link MURAYAMA

③ Yamagata Guesthouse

Yamagata Guesthouse, located on the third floor, offers private rooms and dormitory-style rooms.

The shared space has a peaceful atmosphere that allows guests to interact with each other.

Once you open the door, you’ll find a nostalgic space lit by lanterns.

There are mixed dormitories and female-only dormitories available, so you can choose the room that best suits your needs.

5. Indoor Plaza

Access to the indoor plaza is via a corridor (long passageway).

This is the most photogenic spot in the facility, but since it was winter when we visited, there was netting put up to protect it from snow and other elements.

In warm seasons, it feels very open, just like in the photo below!

* Provided by Link MURAYAMA

① 2nd floor Arena

At the end of the corridor is a spacious arena.

It was originally a high school gymnasium, so it’s spacious and you can move around and play to your heart’s content.

There is a full range of facilities available, including balls, nets, ping pong tables, trampolines and unicycles, so you can have a lot of fun here.

② 1st floor piloti (concrete, earth)

You can also enjoy skateboarding and BMX in the concrete plaza.

Lipsticks that are popular with kids too!

During the interview, skaters were practicing.

There aren’t many places in the prefecture where you can skateboard, so this is a rare spot.

The adjacent dirt plaza can be used for playing catch or playing ground golf.

There are also facilities such as striders and ground golf equipment available, so you can come empty-handed and have fun.

The complex facility Link MURAYAMA serves as a “link” that creates connections between people.

It is a place where people can have fun all day long and make new encounters and discoveries.

6. Message

This time, Mr. Kodama and Mr. Koshiba from Link MURAYAMA have sent a message to everyone reading VISIT YAMAGATA.

“Link MURAYAMA is a facility based on the theme of ‘connecting and livening up’.

‘Connection’ is also a very important theme.

We hope that people of all ages will come, connect with each other, and create a lively atmosphere.

We hope that many people will come and visit.”

7. Basic Information

Facility Information
✤ Facilities introduced in the article ✤
Building A, 1st floor
● Living/co-working space (1F)
Capacity : Up to 50 people
Amenities : Power supply / Wi-Fi
Fee : Free
(Private hire: 500 yen / 1,000 yen / 2,000 yen per hour depending on size)
*
● Share Kitchen
Capacity : Up to 15 people
Amenities : microwave oven, tableware, etc.
Fee : Free
(Private hire: 500 yen per hour)
*
● Japanese-style room
Capacity : Up to 8 people
Amenities : Power supply
Fee : Private hire 500 yen per hour
*
● Mountain Bagel & Coffee Stand
Hours : 10:00-18:00
Closed : 2nd Wednesday of every month
*
Building A, 2nd floor
● Coworking space (2F)
Capacity : 14 seats
Amenities : Power supply / Wi-Fi / Desk light
Fee : 100 yen per seat per hour / 500 yen per day / 3,000 yen per month
*
● Meeting room
Capacity : Up to 10 people
Amenities : Power supply / Wi-Fi / Monitor / Whiteboard
Fee : 500 yen per hour
*
● Meeting booth
Capacity : Up to 4 people
Amenities : Power supply / Wi-Fi / Monitor
Fee : 200 yen per hour
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Building B, 1st floor
● Wellbase Murayama
Hours : 9:30~22:00
Weekends and holidays : 9:30~20:00
Closed : Monday
*
● Coin Laundry Prado
Hours : 9:00-20:00
Closed: 12/29~1/3
*******************************************

Building C, 1st floor
● Kids Lab
Capacity : Up to 20 people
Amenities : Power supply / Wi-Fi / Minitor / Board games
Fee : Free
(Private hire: 500 yen per hour)
*
● pizza nu-ma
Hours : 11:00~18:00 (L.O. 17:00)
Closed : Tuesday
*
Building C, 3rd floor
● Yamagata Guesthouse
Accommodation fees
Accommodation only: 3,300 yen (tax included)
1 night with breakfast : 3,850 yen (tax included)
Number of beds : 11
Check-in : 16:00~20:00
Check-out : 9:00
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Indoor Plaza
● 2nd floor Arena
Equipment : balls, net, ping pong table, trampoline, unicycle, etc.
Fee
・High school students and younger/parents accompanying children : Free
・General admission: 200 yen
(1 hour private hire: 1,500 yen for half the area / 3,000 yen for the whole area)
*
● 1st floor piloti (concrete)
Equipment : Curve box / Manual stand / Rail / Lipstick
Fee
・High school students and younger/Parents with children : Free
・General admission : 500 yen
(Private hire: 1,500 yen per hour)
*
● 1st floor Piloti (Sat)
Equipment : Strider
Fee
・High school students and younger/Parents accompanying children : Free
・General admission : 200 yen
(Private hire: 1,500 yen per hour)
*******************************************

(As of February 2025)
Opening hours, holidays, and prices are those at the time of reporting.
This may be subject to change in the future.
For more information, please visit the official website .