Interview with the owner of GOJITOMA-ISM
We interviewed Karei Takamoto, who carries on the spirit of Gojitoma and sells boxed lunches from a food truck.
How GOJITOMA-ISM came to be
Why did you start selling boxed lunches?
Takamoto (surname omitted)
Since I was in fifth grade, I had been telling my father that I wanted to take over Gojitoma.
Working at another cafe was an option, but I thought starting my own business would make the transition smoother when I took over in earnest, so I decided to sell boxed lunches, drawing on my cooking experience.
I started operating from a food truck because I wanted to give back to the people of Mabi who supported my father's business.
After Gojitoma was rebuilt following the July 2018 torrential rains, the food truck had only been in operation about once a year. But because it is a food truck filled with memories of the many people who supported us, I strongly felt that I didn't want it to go to waste.
How did you come up with the business name?
Takamoto
As I take over, my father chose the name with the hope that I would carry on the spirit while adding my own personal touch, even though it would still be Gojitoma.
Actually, not long after I asked him to think of a name for the business, my father was hospitalized with a heart condition. He came up with it after recovering from a truly life-or-death situation, so the name means a great deal to me.
We want you to enjoy seasonal vegetables
What do you focus on when preparing your food?
Takamoto
I try to balance sour, sweet, and salty flavors in each boxed lunch, and to use colors that make you want to dig right in.
When I worked at a nursery school, I noticed that some children would get tired of food if it looked only green or brown. I draw on the ideas I developed to make food appealing to them, and focus on colorful boxed lunches that are delicious to look at, too.
I heard that you mainly use vegetables grown in Mabi.
Takamoto
I wanted to use vegetables grown in Mabi, and learned that Hyakusai Farm in town grows organic vegetables, so I started buying from them.
Hyakusai Farm tells me which vegetables they can harvest that week, and I decide the menu based on the vegetables. It's a relationship where the farm comes first, and the business follows.
Vegetables are natural products, so when there isn't enough to harvest, I make up the difference at the local-produce section of the supermarket. Still, I want to continue focusing on using vegetables grown in Mabi.
Giving back to the people of Mabi
Tell us how you feel about the people who come to buy from you.
Takamoto
Many of our customers are from Mabi, and some even make a special U-turn after passing by.
During the July 2018 torrential rains, I was helped by the kindness of many people, especially those in Mabi.
I want to give back directly to the people who helped me, and pass on to others the kindness I received. Running GOJITOMA-ISM feels like giving back to Mabi.
Of course, there are many times when I wish the disaster had never happened. Even so, there were many things I only realized because we suffered damage.
Also, falling ill made me appreciate food all over again, and I believe there are things I can share with people about food.
What are your plans for the future?
Takamoto
I want to make use of what makes a food truck special by setting up at events and sharing what makes Mabi special with people outside the town.
Because of staffing issues, it will be difficult to start going out to events right away. But I've been invited to an event around spring 2026, so I hope to gradually get used to it and eventually visit other areas as well.
I would be happy if sharing what makes Mabi special encourages people from outside the town to visit.
From the Writer
The first time I bought a boxed lunch from GOJITOMA-ISM, I ate it with my child. My child polished off all the side dishes in no time, saying, “Delicious!”
Looking back after the interview, I feel that Takamoto's passion really came through.
These boxed lunches and sandwiches are packed with gratitude for the people of Mabi.
Be sure to stop by and try them.
GOJITOMA-ISM details
| Name | GOJITOMA-ISM |
|---|---|
| Address | 748-4 Yata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-3740-3693 |
| Parking | Available You can park in the lot on the Gojitoma premises. |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Closes when sold out |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, Sunday Closed on the second and fourth Saturdays |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | GOJITOMA-ISM |
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