Rumour has it that the City or the Prefecture, or both subsidised the arrival of Starbucks so that Yamaguchi could be a "town/prefecture with a Starbucks," because perhaps, Starbucks is a status symbol. This Starbucks seems to be doing a roaring trade on land adjacent to the central municipal park at weekends at least. One can sit outside, which is rare in Japan. Prior to Corona and perhaps as soon as Corona is over there will be a market in the park on some Sundays, I think twice a month, with vegetables and cute things to make. There are usually Japanese people playing on the grass in the adjacent park. The park is precisely 1km in circumference and it is popular place to jog. There is a library, art house cinema and exhibition room very near by. One can also use the Internet, I believe for free inside the C-able cable TV company which is also in the same block, or at least one could before Covid. There are fountains, swings, and a climbing frame in the park. There are cherry trees too. This used to be the site of Yamaguchi Central High School before it moved to a less central location because, I guess, it outgrew this location. The rock band Queen played in the gym of the central high school in the 70s when it was still situated here. The Starbucks is a normal Starbucks, but the location is special.

The instructions in the toilet (which may be unisex) seems to suggest that everyone should sit down when they use the toilet for whatever purpose. Some convenience stores insist that men sit down too but it is only suggested here.