Maru5deli sells coffee and fresh juice in Okayama Prefecture.
The eighth location, ⑤Deli Ojigadake, has a very different atmosphere from the previous stores.
Yabuki Kenta, of the Kurashiki City Tourism Division, has worked hard to revitalize Ojigadake Rest House, including through the implementation of trial sounding.
Hirano Yuji, representative director of Maru5deli, not only serves drinks but also creates connections between people through the store.
We interviewed them both.
This article presents the interview conducted during our initial visit in June 2023.
We hope this will help spread the word about Ojigadake Hill
⑤Deli Ojigadake has opened as a permanent shop at Ojigadake Rest House.
Yabuki (honorific omitted)
Ojigadake Rest House is a facility owned by Kurashiki City.
Since 2020, we have been conducting trial sounding, a method of considering ways to use the facility together with private businesses, in order to maintain the building.
We made Ojigadake Rest House available free of charge for events and shops.
However, it was only used during the tourist season and on weekends.
We actually wanted it to be open continuously, even during the off-season.
Having people there all the time would create a lively atmosphere and allow us to provide tourist information.
This time, ⑤Deli Ojigadake has moved in until it is time to rebuild the building.
Has the timing of the rebuilding been decided?
Yabuki
The timing of the rebuilding has not been decided.
Rather than leaving it empty because it will be rebuilt, we want to make use of it while we can, since it has such a beautiful view.
It’s a place where just looking at the scenery can be soothing.
We left the interior design to Maru5deli.
We also let them use the chairs that were already here as they wished.
There were notices and such, but we took them down so they wouldn’t get in the way of creating the space.
Maru5deli polished the floor, and it looks so clean now that it’s almost unrecognizable.
I’m glad if the space turned out the way Maru5deli wanted.
I hope that through ⑤Deli Ojigadake, many people will come, learn about Ojigadake Hill, and become interested in the wider area, including Kojima, Kurashiki, Tamano, and the Setouchi region.
Before, people would just stop by briefly, but I’d be happy if the store encouraged them to stay awhile and enjoy the view.
First, enjoy the view, then have some juice
Hirano (honorific omitted)
I want customers to first take in the Seto Inland Sea and the scenery.
There are many places in Japan where you can look out over the Seto Inland Sea or other seas, but I think it’s quite rare to see a view like this, with islands scattered across it.
From Ojigadake Hill, you can see the entire Seto-Ohashi Bridge, as well as all the way to Kagawa Prefecture.
There’s plenty of nature around the building, including cherry trees.
On holidays, paragliders take to the sky, and some people come to enjoy the natural surroundings.
The view from the rooftop is fantastic, as well as the view from inside the store.
I’d be happy if people came for the view and, while they’re here, tried a juice made with local ingredients and got a taste of “Okayama.”
If you’re only looking at the scenery, your stay is short.
Having juice and light meals lets you enjoy the view for longer.
We kept the interior white throughout, without adding unnecessary color, so it wouldn’t distract from the view.
Menus born from encounters
What makes this location different from the other Maru5deli stores?
Hirano
The Oji Sandwich, an egg sandwich, is an original menu item at ⑤Deli Ojigadake.
As of April 2024, the Oji Sandwich is no longer being served.
The eggs come from Nodahatsu in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, and the soy sauce is from Shiotaya Brewing in Kojima.
I went to Shiotaya Brewing in person and said, “We’re opening a shop at Ojigadake Hill that uses local ingredients. Would you let us use your soy sauce?”
Maru5deli’s concept is “eating natural foods, valuing organic human connections, and living with human warmth and emotional richness.”
These “organic human connections” mean relationships where you can see the person, receive something from their hands, and talk with them.
Juice recipes can be freely adapted, so if we find good ingredients, we can use them to create new products.
A new product may come about if we make a good connection in the future.
Another difference is that things are “slow.”
At stores in shopping malls, speed inevitably takes priority, but it’s different here.
We want people to take their time enjoying the view, so we serve things at a leisurely pace, too.
We want everyone to help build the shop
You’ve only just opened. What kind of shop would you like to create going forward?
Hirano
We’d like to hold art and music events.
In the pleasant seasons, it might be nice to have live music on the rooftop.
For example, we could invite artists who are just starting out and give them a chance to perform.
It would be great if people who came as audience members could perform as artists next time, creating a continuing connection.
For art, it might be nice to display paintings that complement the scenery in the background.
We could also exhibit and sell artists’ works.
The shop has only just opened, so we’d be happy if all our customers could help shape it.
From the Writer
Through our reporting, we could tell that both Hirano of Maru5deli and Yabuki of the Kurashiki City Tourism Division feel attached to the view from the shop.
There’s nothing else like it: taking in Ojigadake Hill’s vast panorama while enjoying drinks and light meals made with local ingredients… What a wonderful and luxurious way to spend your time.
I’d love to relax and take in the scenery of Ojigadake Hill, whose colors and character change throughout the day.
At ⑤Deli Ojigadake, you can experience a special view, atmosphere, and passage of time that can only be found there.
The shop is still evolving.
Let’s keep an eye on what’s next for ⑤Deli Ojigadake as it continues to shape the shop together with its customers.
⑤Deli Ojigadake (Maru5deli Ojigadake) Information
| Name | ⑤Deli Ojigadake (Maru5deli Ojigadake) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1421-8 Karakoto-cho, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, inside Ojigadake Rest House |
| Contact | 090-4105-8805 |
| Parking | Available Parking is available nearby; three spaces in front of the building are reserved for people with disabilities |
| Regular closing day | Friday; irregular closures |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Seating | Counter: 5 seats Tables: 34 seats (10 tables) |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) |
| Restrooms | Western-style restroom, accessible restroom |
| Childcare | Diaper-changing table |
| Accessibility | Ramp, accessible restroom |
| Website | Maru5deli |
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