Interview with Nakaso Midori, staff of Machiya Cafe Miyake Shoten
Located in the tourist area of Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki, Machiya Cafe Miyake Shoten is loved by both tourists and locals.
We spoke with Nakaso Midori, a staff member.
This interview features content from the initial coverage conducted in June 2021.
Please tell us about your menu's commitment.
Nakaso
Our commitment is to create a menu that allows you to feel the seasons using seasonal ingredients.
We purchase seasonal ingredients such as fruits from contracted farmers, focusing on those produced in Okayama Prefecture and the Setouchi region.
Some of these ingredients may not meet standard specifications and cannot be sold, but instead of discarding them, we buy them at a fair price and use them.
In addition to using them in our cafe menu, we also sell fruits at the store in a form of "sharing."
People from the city seem surprised, as they have the impression that fresh fruits are expensive gifts.
We also use seasonal fruits in our cakes, but when they are not available, we incorporate elements that people want to eat during that season.
Many people are quite surprised that we make everything from scratch.
Of course, we make the cake sauces and ice cream from scratch as well.
We also cook adzuki beans and make cookies from scratch, not using pre-made ones.
We want people to experience the deliciousness of handmade items and the quality of seasonal ingredients.
We hope that not only people from outside the prefecture but also locals can enjoy our offerings.
You are also particular about your curry, right?
Nakaso
Our curry is made by blending various spices and adding tomatoes and fruits.
Since it contains fruits, it has a sweetness that even small children can enjoy.
It has a familiar taste that is easy for anyone to eat, but we are particular about the ingredients.
What was the reason for making retort curry?
Nakaso
We wanted our popular curry menu to be enjoyed at home, so we took about a year to commercialize it.
The taste of the curry is the same as what we serve in our shop.
It can be purchased at our affiliated stores and online shop.
Speaking of popular items, we also sell syrup for shaved ice, which some people buy as souvenirs.
The white peach flavor is particularly popular.
The building itself is also attractive, isn't it?
Nakaso
The building is a machiya (townhouse) built in the late Edo period.
The shop name is the same as when it was a general store before the war.
While there are certainly new elements in the building, we try to use as much of the original structure as possible.
The earthen walls may have been renovated by the previous owner, but when we started Miyake Shoten, we did not change anything.
There are some slightly warped areas and cracks in the ceiling, but we have kept renovations to a minimum.
Has the flow of people in the Bikan Historical Area changed since your shop opened?
Nakaso
I am from Kurashiki, and during my high school days, the street where Ohara Museum of Art is located was bustling, and I think the Bikan Historical Area was seen as a tourist spot where visitors came.
Since Miyake Shoten started in 2004, many shops have opened on this street.
With the establishment of Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum, I believe both tourists and locals have increased.
In terms of proportions, tourists tend to visit Miyake Shoten more.
They seem to be impressed by the unfamiliar, old buildings from the Edo period.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had visitors from outside the prefecture and from abroad.
Locals seem to come looking for a stylish, hidden gem of a shop.
What are your thoughts for the future?
Nakaso
The importance of a sustainable society has been emphasized recently, but Miyake Shoten has been working on this even before it became a focus.
We want to continue our sustainable efforts in the future.
Additionally, we want to provide experiences that can only be had here.
Recently, summers have been getting hotter, so while we do have air conditioning, we want people to feel the breeze and enjoy cold shaved ice to cool down, providing experiences that reflect the seasons.
We want to create a space for such experiences.
Until now, people may have come because it was trendy or stylish.
However, from now on, we want to create an environment where people come to experience unique moments and spaces that can only be had here.
To achieve that, we want to continue our outreach.
A cafe where you can feel history and seasonal ingredients, Miyake Shoten
Miyake Shoten offers curry and sweets made with seasonal ingredients in a building that reflects the history of Kurashiki.
How about spending a relaxing time feeling the flow of time that can only be experienced at Miyake Shoten, in a nostalgic space reminiscent of the past?
And after your meal, we also recommend taking a stroll through the Bikan Historical Area.
Data of Machiya Cafe Miyake Shoten
| Name | Machiya Cafe Miyake Shoten |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-11 Honmachi, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-426-4600 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Weekdays: 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Last order at 5 PM) Saturdays: 11 AM - 7:30 PM (Last order at 7 PM) Sundays and holidays: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Last order at 5 PM) *Business hours may change depending on the season |
| Regular Holidays | None |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Yes Reservations not accepted during busy periods (spring break, Golden Week, summer vacation, New Year, winter vacation) |
| Seating | 1st floor: Number of tables: 9 2nd floor: Number of tables: 4 (used when the 1st floor is full) |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | High chairs available |
| Website | Miyake Shoten |
