Tohoku University Campus Guide　
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[Kawauchi South Campus] Kawauchi-Minami Commons open

The facility, originally built in 1974 as a welfare facility for students, underwent a complete renovation and reopened in April 2026 as the “Kawauchi-Minami Commons.”
The formerly enclosed appearance has been transformed into an open and inviting space through extensive use of glass walls. A full wooden deck has been installed along the boundary between the interior and exterior, creating a space where visitors can enjoy the surrounding natural environment.
Inside, functions that had previously been separated by walls — including the cafeteria, café, shop, bookstore, and career support facilities — have been organically reorganized and renewed as one integrated area. Variations in ceiling and floor finishes are used throughout the interior to gently distinguish different zones and create spaces suited to a variety of activities and ways of spending time.
Outside of cafeteria operating hours, these spaces are open for daily study, interaction, and student activities. The facility can also accommodate events such as conferences that make use of the entire dining area.
Surrounded by the rich natural environment adjacent to the Botanical Garden of Tohoku University, this new space offers a setting where visitors can truly experience the vibrant atmosphere of the university.