Kissa Akariya - A traditional house café in Soja. Enjoy a calming moment in a peaceful space with handmade snacks by the owner.

喫茶 灯り舎 〜 総社の古民家カフェ。店主手作りのおやつと穏やかな空間で心落ち着くひとときを
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Interview with the owner of Cafe Akari-sha

We spoke with the owner of Cafe Akari-sha, which serves snacks near Gokei in Soja City.

What inspired you to open?

Owner

I have always wanted to live in a traditional house.
I thought many people should experience the charm of traditional houses, which led me to the idea of a residence-cum-cafe.

Popular seats in a semi-private room
Popular seats in a semi-private room

What are your thoughts on the snacks you serve?

Owner

I prioritize making sweets that allow people to enjoy the taste of the ingredients.
Rather than focusing on visual splendor, I want customers to enjoy simple and unboring snacks.

I also think about what to include on the plate each time, hoping that customers will enjoy it.

I'm curious about the term "snacks."

Owner

It's not so much a strict preference, but I feel that the image of "snacks" is more fitting than "sweets," which feel more urban, or "desserts," which feel more special. It's like the "snacks" made by family that you eat at home.

Baked goods in the store

The interior of the store is lovely.

Owner

I have always liked old things and have been collecting them little by little.
Some items have been given to me by customers who thought they would match the atmosphere of the shop, making it a space I truly love.

Interior
Black telephone

In spring and autumn, terrace seating is also available, and there are seats for solo customers in the back.
I hope that every time they visit, they can enjoy deciding "which seat should I choose today."

Seat for solo customers

The feedback notebook is an interesting initiative.

Owner

When you visit tourist spots, there are often notebooks where you can write your favorite messages. I love those notebooks and tend to write in them.

So, when I started one in my own shop, I was surprised by how many people wrote in it, and reading the notebook has become a pleasure after closing.

It feels like I'm receiving words one-on-one, which makes me very happy.

Feedback notebook

What are your future plans?

Owner

Currently, I only provide snacks, but I hope to eventually serve meals during lunch hours. However, since I am currently managing the shop alone, it is difficult to realize this immediately.

Still, since I have received feedback since the beginning of operations saying, "It would be nice if meals were available," I am thinking of how to make it happen.

Please send a message to the readers.

Owner

Not only do the plates change every 1-2 months, but you can also enjoy the scenery outside the shop, such as cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and autumn leaves, experiencing the changing seasons.

I would be happy if you could visit us many times.

Conclusion

Japanese-style room in the store

Surrounded by nature, Cafe Akari-sha has a nostalgic and calming atmosphere. It is a place where you can take a moment to relax while enjoying the carefully crafted snacks and drinks made by the owner.

How about visiting while enjoying a drive?

Data on Cafe Akari-sha

Store exterior
NameCafe Akari-sha
Address1001 Minobe, Okayama Prefecture, Soja City
ContactInstagram DM
https://www.instagram.com/akari.sha
ParkingAvailable
6 cars
Business Hours11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Regular HolidaysIrregular holidays
Payment Methods
  • Cash
  • Credit Card
  • Transportation IC cards like Suica, iD, QUICPay, PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d Payment, au PAY
Reservation AvailabilityYes
Reservations for the cafe are accepted via a dedicated link.
https://airrsv.net/akarisha/calendar
Reservations for baked goods are accepted via Instagram DM.
Seating20 seats
ToiletWestern-style toilet
ChildcareUse of the cafe is not allowed for children under elementary school age
WebsiteCafe Akari-sha

We deliver selected articles from Kurashiki Tocotoco via LINE

We deliver selected articles from Kurashiki Tocotoco via LINE
This article was written by a citizen writer
Sakamoto Taishi
Motonta

Living in Kurashiki City. I want to support exciting shops and people in the Takahashi River basin as a citizen writer.

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