RYOZAN PARK – a “modern-day Ryozanpaku”
in Sugamo and Otsuka – Let Your Ambitions Begin Here –

“I want to do this. I want to live like this. I want to help shape a society like this.”

At RYOZAN PARK, individuals pursue diverse ambitions and work together to transform society. 

The name RYOZAN PARK comes from the classic Chinese novel “Suikoden”. “Ryozanpaku” was a mountain stronghold beside a large marsh in the Yellow River basin, where 108 outlaw heroes gathered, united by their shared spirit to right the world’s wrongs.

The story of “Ryozanpaku” where individuals from the physically strong to those excelling in intellect,  martial arts, mystic skills, and leadership unite to shake the world was the inspiration for this modern community. In 2011, RYOZAN PARK was born in Sugamo and Otsuka: a “modern-day Ryozanpaku.”

The character of Sugamo and Otsuka, two local communities on the north side of the JR Yamanote Line,  is the foundation of RYOZAN PARK’s character.

Ryozan Park is located with convenient access to business and downtown areas—5 minutes from  Ikebukuro, 14 minutes from Shinjuku, and 12 minutes from Otemachi—while Sugamo and Otsuka themselves offer charming local shopping streets, supermarkets, parks, and all necessary residential facilties, providing a convenient place to live with everything you need for everyday shopping, parenting, and leisure.

RYOZAN PARK is popular with members who are raising children and want an integrated routine. For example, people who live in Otsuka, commute to the office by bicycle, and on their way home, stop by the shopping street to buy something to eat for dinner. They can also pick up and drop off their children on this route, all within biking distance for seamless work-life balance. 

RYOZAN PARK has a long history of involvement with the local community. Through various daily interactions with community residents, local businesses, and local government, such as events and community revitalization efforts, RYOZAN PARK has built a relationship where staff and members freely exchange greetings with whomever they encounter in the neighborhood in the spirit of a rural village.  By connecting with the community, RYOZAN PARK fosters an environment where people can work and live in harmony.

RYOZAN PARK began in 2012 as a share house and shared office—a place for living & working. Three years later, RYOZAN PARK OTSUKA, with shared offices and a coworking space, opened. Event spaces were soon opened, creating opportunities for events such as art exhibitions, sports classes, recitals, and lectures.

Today, RYOZAN PARK is a complex of “work”, “live”, “learn”, and “event” hubs where people with ambition can do things their own way. Across 12 offerings, including 4 office buildings, 1 share house, and 7 event spaces, RYOZAN PARK staff members handle RYOZAN PARK’s operations, while also fulfilling their roles as communicators and incubators.

At many offices, change happens from the top down. At RYOZAN PARK, evolution is a shared journey. What sets us apart is that owners, staff, members, and alumni all communicate openly, collaborating to shape ideal facilities and services. It’s not unusual for RYOZAN PARK alumni or people connected to the community to drop by regularly. Many have become deeply involved in shaping the space into what it is today.

One example is the creation of our office with a daycare center. Couples who met and married while living at our share house, along with alumni, shared a vision of raising children together in a supportive environment. At the same time, RYOZAN PARK staff were looking for ways to support working women. This shared goal led us to develop a plan together with input from both members and staff.

We gathered in a circle—couples, young professionals, single mothers, international students, and alumni—freely exchanging ideas, hopes, and concerns. Together, we envisioned what an ideal workplace and childcare environment could look like.

The result was the launch of RYOZAN PARK OTSUKA’s office with a daycare center, now known as RYOZAN PARK Montessori. It was the first project born from the collective wisdom and collaboration of our diverse community.

Since then, we’ve continued to evolve. Member feedback—whether about a broken hinge or a new layout idea—drives regular updates and improvements. Many of our events and lectures are grassroots initiatives sparked by everyday conversations between members.

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. It’s common for members to hit it off and start new business ventures together, inspired by spontaneous ideas like, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we did that?” Of course, not everyone engages with the same level of involvement, and we don’t always agree. There are missteps and failed experiments. But that’s part of our process. At RYOZAN PARK, we believe in sharing power, however small, and building on the unique strengths of every member.

At the same time, more and more people from outside are resonating with RYOZAN PARK’s ambition and actively lending their support. New collaborative projects with the local communities of Sugamo and Otsuka have been emerging, and bold, forward-thinking buildings are being developed—expanding the potential of RYOZAN PARK in exciting new directions.

Visitors often exclaim, “This place is so unique!” and fire off question after question. That’s because the spirit of RYOZAN PARK is visible everywhere—from the office layout and atmosphere, to the way members work, to their casual conversations.

Even after offering long explanations, staff often sum it up by saying, “Well… this is just how it turned out.” And that’s exactly it—it simply became. RYOZAN PARK continues to grow and evolve organically, like a living organism.

Over the years, more than 1,000 people have come together at RYOZAN PARK. Today, over 300 active members form the heart of our vibrant community. What sets us apart is our incredible diversity of  professions, industries, backgrounds, nationalities, and ages. Diversity isn’t just welcomed here; it’s woven into everything we do.

Our members include app developers, young architects, IT entrepreneurs, sculptors, florists, urban development advisors, lawyers, web designers, egg sellers, photographers, care workers, business consultants, manga artists, multi-talented creatives, labor consultants, teachers, and more.

Some lead established companies. Others are part of small startups run by friends, or work solo as freelancers. We welcome everyone from young people taking their first steps toward a dream to international students who’ve traveled across the globe to study and grow.

This rich mix of people and ambitions creates a powerful, dynamic energy. Serendipitous encounters and unplanned collaborations often spark new opportunities—helping each person move closer to their personal goals. Relationships are formed not just around work, but through mutual empathy, support, and shared aspirations.

Each individual’s ambition is like a small gear. Alone, it turns modestly. But together, interlocking with others, these ambitions create powerful momentum. At RYOZAN PARK, we believe this collective force has the power to move the world. Bit by bit, the vision we started with is beginning to take shape.

RYOZAN PARK has a kitchen. You might ask—why a kitchen in an office? The answer is simple: because above all else, RYOZAN PARK values humanity.

From the very beginning, we’ve believed that eating is the most human act. It’s where everything begins—connection, activity, collaboration, and trust. That belief is at the heart of our space.

In fact, this kitchen may be one of RYOZAN PARK’s most defining features. It hosts a wide variety of food-related activities—parties, lunch services, tasting events, cooking demos, and even product development by member companies.

Eating and drinking together—sharing a meal, smiling over good food, letting your guard down, having honest conversations, and experiencing joy, anger, sadness, and laughter side by side—this, we believe, is the essence of human happiness.

The idea of “sharing the same pot of rice” has long symbolized deep connection and community. It reflects the spirit of our ambitions, too.

In a world driven by economic efficiency and logic, RYOZAN PARK chooses a different path—one that places human warmth, relationships, and shared experience at the center. We believe that the truly transformative values of the future will emerge from this simple yet powerful foundation: humanity.

Ryozanpaku is the legendary setting of Suikoden, a classic Chinese novel from the Ming Dynasty. It was a mountain fortress near a vast marshland shaped by the Yellow River’s floods. There, 108 heroic  outlaws—each said to be as powerful as a thousand men—gathered under the leadership of Song Jiang. United by a shared ambition to challenge injustice, they set the world in motion with their fierce spirit and unstoppable energy.

The characters in Suikoden are not defined by simple notions of good or evil. Their bold, unruly personalities and passionate stories have captivated readers for generations, especially in Japan. Over time, “Ryozanpaku” has come to symbolize a gathering place for determined individuals united by a shared purpose. It’s why Tokiwaso became known as the “Ryozanpaku of manga artists,” and why the feminist Seito movement led by Hiratsuka Raichō was called the “Women’s Ryozanpaku.”

In that spirit, RYOZAN PARK in Sugamo and Otsuka is our “modern-day Ryozanpaku.” We may not have swashbuckling warriors, but this is a haven for people driven by deep questions and bold desires—those who say, “I want to do this,” “I want to live like this,” “I want to help build a society like this.”

Here, people with a hunger for change and a passion for new values gather, exchange ideas, and take action. It’s a vibrant community of individuals striving to shape a more fulfilling and meaningful future.

1. Ambition
Everything begins with ambition. At RYOZAN PARK, we welcome people with dreams, drive, and a desire to shape the world. Ambition is the spark that sets our community in motion.

2. Humanity
We’ve entered the age of AI, and the world is changing rapidly. That’s why, now more than ever, RYOZAN PARK chooses to honor the flesh-and-blood people who are here, present, and real. We value the relationships we build face-to-face, in the moment. What does it mean to be human? At RYOZAN PARK, we aim to keep asking that question as we pursue what is ideal.

3. Sharing
In a world where it’s increasingly difficult to go it alone, the spirit of sharing is more important than ever. At RYOZAN PARK, we believe in mutual support—helping each other when needed, while respecting each person’s independence. We don’t lean on one another, but we stand with one another.

4. Liberty
Liberty is a mysterious concept, difficult to define. At RYOZAN PARK, we see liberty as the freedom to go beyond boundaries—social, cultural, or personal. The diversity of our members, each walking their own path, reflects this belief. Liberty lives in our openness, our messiness, and our willingness to explore new ways of being.