Interview with Kikumi Yamashita, manager of kitchen Mori no Kuma-san
Before opening kitchen Mori no Kuma-san, you ran an izakaya at the same location, is that right? Could you tell us about how you came to open this business?
Yamashita
Originally, I ran two businesses: “Iso no Ie” at the same location on the second floor of the Nishi Building, and “Kaisen Donya Katatsumuri” in Kurashiki’s shopping district. <
We somehow managed to weather the “July 2018 Heavy Rains Disaster” and the “consumption tax increase,” but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic finally pushed us to our limit.
At first, I even considered closing both businesses.
When I was wondering what to do with the businesses, I talked to an acquaintance in Mabi. They were very disappointed and worried about us.
“Iso no Ie” is a special place for people in Mabi, too, so I wanted to find a way to keep the business going and decided to start over as a deli.
What kind of connection did the people of Mabi and “Iso no Ie” have?
Yamashita
During the July 2018 Heavy Rains Disaster, we distributed supplies at “Iso no Ie” and opened the restaurant as a place where people from Mabi could gather.
Originally, I was distributing supplies in Mabi with volunteers, and that was when I realized that people living in “deemed temporary housing” and elderly people were being left behind.
Deemed temporary housing was scattered across Kurashiki, Kasaoka, Okayama, and other places outside Mabi, leaving people separated from their communities. At the time, they had no supplies or information at all.
We opened “Iso no Ie” to create a place where everyone from Mabi could gather, and began providing supplies and information.
Thankfully, word spread that it was a place where people could “get supplies, meet up, and talk”, and many people from Mabi living in deemed temporary housing came by.
How long did you continue the activities at “Iso no Ie”?
Yamashita
We opened “Iso no Ie” about twice a month, continuing for a year and a half after the disaster. At the busiest times, around 30 people visited in a day.
We distributed donated supplies and, using our own money, provided sandwiches, rice balls, and donated snacks.
I kept it going, hoping that the opening days would give people from Mabi a reason to dress up and go out.
People often asked me, “Why go to such lengths?” (laughs), but at the time, all I wanted was to fill people’s stomachs and make them smile. I was completely absorbed in it.
I think “Iso no Ie” became a place for people from Mabi to go out and meet someone.
“Iso no Ie” must have been a place of emotional support for the people of Mabi.
Yamashita
Actually, it’s the people of Mabi who support me.
When we rebuilt “Mori no Kuma-san,” people I knew in Mabi helped with everything, from the sign and business cards to flyers and the interior, and gave us a lot of support.
People from Mabi who I didn’t even know spread the word about our menu item, Kurakara, on Twitter. Even now, someone comes by the restaurant every day to say hello, and they’re the ones who cheer me up.
Whenever I’m feeling down, they come by to talk, and the warmth of the people of Mabi has saved me. I truly feel fortunate to have made such wonderful connections.
What kind of place would you like kitchen Mori no Kuma-san to become in the future?
Yamashita
Well, I’d like to keep the restaurant going for as long as possible, if only for one more day, for the people still living in deemed temporary housing.
I feel that we need to share with many people what the people of Mabi experienced in the disaster.
Time has passed since the disaster, but there are still people who can’t return to Mabi. I hope this can be a place where they can feel even a little at ease.
From the Writer
During our conversation, these words from Ms. Yamashita stayed with me.
“The people of Mabi are all so warm. I’m always so grateful, wondering why they go to such lengths for us—doing things like making the sign and fixing up the exterior of the restaurant.”
I thought that was exactly how the people of Mabi felt about Ms. Yamashita.
On the days “Iso no Ie” opened, how warm and comforting it must have been for people who had to leave Mabi to evacuate.
I felt that the restaurant exists today because so many people were helped by “Iso no Ie.”
“kitchen Mori no Kuma-san” has been reborn as a deli.
The owner, Kikumi Yamashita, is also taking on crowdfunding.
It would be wonderful if the restaurant’s continued presence, along with “Kurakara,” which may become Kurashiki’s new specialty, could create even more opportunities for exchange.
kitchen Mori no Kuma-san details
| Name | kitchen Mori no Kuma-san |
|---|---|
| Address | 2nd Floor, Kurashiki City Plaza Nishi Building, 1-7-2 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-427-8898 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Tuesday–Thursday, Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. (last order 10 p.m.) Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. (last order 10:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Monday Open on Mondays that are public holidays; closed Tuesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 12 seats Tatami seating: 4 × 3 |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
