Interview with Kimura Satoshi, representative of Soten Co., Ltd.
Amaguriya Maruroku is a member of the Okayama Sweet Chestnut Promotion Council, which works to make Okayama sweet chestnuts a specialty of the prefecture.
We spoke with Kimura Satoshi, representative of Soten Co., Ltd., which serves as the council’s secretariat, about the background to opening the Bikan Historical Area store.
It began with revitalizing the town: aiming to establish Okayama sweet chestnuts as a local specialty
What first drew you to Okayama sweet chestnuts?
Kimura (surname only)
Actually, I came across Okayama sweet chestnuts by chance.
I’m from northern Okayama Prefecture, but I’d been away from my hometown for a long time.
When I returned, an elderly woman asked me to “make the town more exciting.”
Her words stayed with me, and I started looking for something we could do.
Later, I happened to meet someone researching Okayama sweet chestnuts and learned about them. They’re sweeter than other Japanese chestnuts, and they can only be harvested here in northern Okayama Prefecture.
I believe that if we promote this strength as a valuable asset, we can give back to farmers and help the town thrive as a production area for Okayama sweet chestnuts.
What did you work on first?
Kimura
We established the Okayama Sweet Chestnut Promotion Council.
At present, each farmer grows Okayama sweet chestnuts independently. We thought it was important to first bring farmers together and create a place where they could exchange information.
We also invited people involved in processing and sales to join us, and are working to establish a production area from both commercial and industrial perspectives.
In other words, we’re bringing people together and moving forward as a team.
Have you faced any difficulties?
Kimura
Farmers and people in processing and sales have completely different ways of thinking, so it’s been difficult to bring them together.
Different fields use different terminology.
We now meet about once a month to exchange information and discuss how to establish the production area.
As a regional trading company, Soten Co., Ltd. also serves as the council’s secretariat, so we work every day so that everyone can benefit and share in the success in the future.
Opening a shop as a point of connection between customers and Okayama sweet chestnuts
Was opening a store in the Bikan Historical Area also part of your efforts to establish a production area?
Kimura
That’s right. Maruroku opened as a point of connection between customers and Okayama sweet chestnuts.
To establish a production area, people first need to know about them.
The shop is between the tourist area and a residential neighborhood.
We want both tourists and local residents to enjoy Okayama sweet chestnuts all year round.
The goal is for people to say, “Let’s buy Okayama sweet chestnuts to take home”
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Kimura
Actually, there’s no clear definition of what it means to establish a production area.
So our goal is that in five years, people will say, “When you visit the Bikan Historical Area, buy Okayama sweet chestnuts to take home.”
Going forward, we’ll partner with Western-style confectionery shops in northern Okayama Prefecture to offer chestnut sweets. We’ll also create an eat-in space inside the shop and open a cafe where people can enjoy chestnuts.
That said, Okayama sweet chestnuts are known for their high sugar content. First, we’d like you to try them roasted.
From the Writer
Amaguriya Maruroku lets you enjoy Okayama sweet chestnuts all year round, even though they can only be harvested in northern Okayama Prefecture.
Behind the opening of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area store was the effort to establish Okayama sweet chestnuts as a local specialty.
These small chestnuts are packed with sweetness and the hopes of the local community.
Be sure to try some when you visit the Bikan Historical Area.
Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store details
| Name | Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-23 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 09080094505 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Irregular holidays Check Instagram for details of closing days |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available Products can be set aside by contacting the shop in advance |
| Seating | Additional: An eat-in space is planned |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Additional: Available inside the shop |
| Website | Amaguriya Maruroku Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area Store |
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