The food and craft event ``Wand Street'' will be held on September 17th using the shutter street in Owani, Aomori.

Workshops, restaurants, and food trucks will open vacant stores located approximately 800 meters along the main streets ``Tekona Dori'' and ``Yukemuri Dori,'' which are connected by Owani. The project was planned by three people in their 20s called "Wonder Wand" who made a U-turn to Owani and launched the cafe "From O" in June 2022.

The three of them compiled a list of vacant stores in the shopping district and negotiated with each one to see if they could be used for events. Although some of the vacant stores had situations such as ``the owners are unknown'' or ``the owners have moved out of the prefecture,'' 7 of the 26 vacant stores are now open for business.

Shota Shimazu of Wonder Wand said, ``This project was designed to revitalize a street where there are an increasing number of vacant stores.In addition to getting people to know about Owani, we will use vacant stores to create hurdles for owners to rent or sell. I want you to lower your expectations and think positively."

On that day, the two streets will be called ``Owanimachi Shopping Street'', and there will be eight workshops and food and beverage sales in vacant storefronts, as well as food trucks and food booths set up in vacant lots. Stores along the street will be open as usual, and there will also be stalls selling yo-yo fishing and raffle tickets.

Mr. Shimazu said, ``On that day, there will be events in various places, including bicycle events in Owani.If you use the Owani Line, you can also go around Hirosaki and see events.Not only do you see the atmospheric streets of Owani, but you can also enjoy the mountains and rivers. I want it to be an event where people can enjoy the surrounding nature," she says with a smile.

The event is held from 10:00 to 15:00. free entrance.