What kind of things do you imagine when you hear about a workshop for baked goods and jams?
The structure and size of the building, whether it is made of reinforced concrete or wood, likely varies in image from person to person.
However, I think few people would imagine a "workshop remodeled from a nagaya-mon (row house gate)."
There is a rare workshop remodeled from a nagaya-mon in Sakazu, Kurashiki City.
It is a workshop that produces jams and baked goods for Miyake Shoten, which has three locations in Kurashiki City.
The unique point is not just the "nagaya-mon," but also the importance placed on connections with farmers and the community, which I experienced when visiting the Miyake Shoten Cafe Workshop.
What is Miyake Shoten?
The cafe "Miyake Shoten" has three locations in Kurashiki City.
The first store, "Machi-ya Kissa Miyake Shoten," opened in 2004 in the Bikan Historical Area.
In 2010, the second store, "Mizube no Cafe Miyake Shoten Sakazu," opened.
Two years later, in 2012, "Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum" was established in the Bikan Historical Area.
All of them use old houses or buildings that have been around for a long time, with minimal renovations.
As a result, you can feel the history of the buildings in various places.
Another common point is that they all sell jams and baked goods and operate cafes.
Currently, all jams and baked goods sold at Miyake Shoten affiliated stores are made at the "Miyake Shoten Cafe Workshop (hereafter, Cafe Workshop)", which was established in Sakazu in 2016.
Now, let me introduce the Cafe Workshop, which can be said to be the heart of Miyake Shoten.
The Role of Miyake Shoten Cafe Workshop and the Former Harada Residence
The Cafe Workshop is located almost adjacent to Sakazu Park, a place for relaxation for the citizens of Kurashiki City.
On a spacious site large enough for two apartment buildings, there is the main building, the "Former Harada Residence."
In front of the main building stands a sturdy nagaya-mon facing the street.
This nagaya-mon was remodeled to create the Cafe Workshop.
While I mentioned "a workshop remodeled from a nagaya-mon," the workshop part is only half of the nagaya-mon.
In the photo above, you can see the entrance in the middle of the nagaya-mon, and the workshop is located behind it (to the right of the entrance).
When you think of it as the workshop that produces all of Miyake Shoten's products, it gives a compact impression.
However, what is more important than the size of the workshop is the passion for the materials and products handled, which I felt through the interviews.
Planning and Production of Jams and Baked Goods
The interior of the workshop is divided into the jam section and the baked goods section.
Jams and baked goods are produced based on seasonal ingredients.
They also plan to create products for exhibitions and events.
All processing and preparation, such as peeling fruits, is done in the workshop to create jams and baked goods.
Sales of Jams and Baked Goods
The jams and baked goods made at the Cafe Workshop are sold at the storefront and on the online shop.
They are sold not only at affiliated stores but also at the Former Harada Residence, which is the main building of the Cafe Workshop.
At the Former Harada Residence, stamp cards are distributed.
Accumulating stamps can be used not only for purchasing products but also for dining at Mizube no Cafe Miyake Shoten Sakazu.
Shipping of Online Shop Products
The online shop has been established since before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shipping is done from the office of the Former Harada Residence.
You can also purchase directly at the Former Harada Residence and have it shipped.
From production to shipping, everything is done at the Cafe Workshop and the Former Harada Residence, sending their proud products from Sakazu to the whole country.
For buyers, it is convenient as they can purchase with just one button no matter where they are.
Cooking Some Menu Items for Affiliated Stores
In addition to the products for sale, they also process syrup and sauces for shaved ice used in the cafe, as well as dried fruits.
By the way, they also make syrup for sale, which can be purchased at Miyake Shoten's affiliated stores and the online shop.
▼ A new tea parfait served at Machi-ya Kissa Miyake Shoten. The dried orange fruit was processed at the Cafe Workshop.
The Community Treasure "Former Harada Residence" as a Workshop
The Cafe Workshop is located in Sakazu, Kurashiki City.
Before moving to this location in 2016, the workshop function was within the Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum in the Bikan Historical Area.
Why was the workshop moved to Sakazu?
The existence of the Former Harada Residence had a significant influence on this decision.
The Former Harada Residence is the birthplace of Takekazu Harada, the first Olympic athlete from Okayama Prefecture.
Harada competed worldwide from the Taisho era to the Showa era and participated in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
The Former Harada Residence is said to have been built around 1888 and was an important place for the community, used for meetings and gatherings.
The Former Harada Residence, an important presence in the community and the birthplace of a notable figure in Kurashiki City, had been vacant for several years before 2016.
Then, there was a plan from a major real estate company to demolish the historically valuable building and build apartments.
Upon learning of the building's demolition, Nobuyuki Tsuji, the representative director of Kumano Co., Ltd., which operates Miyake Shoten, thought, "We must preserve this community treasure," and decided to purchase the Former Harada Residence.
After the purchase, the functions of the Miyake Shoten office and workshop were moved to the Former Harada Residence.
Not only was the community treasure preserved, but it was also reborn as a place that supports Miyake Shoten.
Having become a new community treasure, the building itself must also be pleased.
I spoke with Kayoko Domoto and Emi Hashihara, who are active at the Cafe Workshop.
Data on Miyake Shoten Cafe Workshop
| Name | Miyake Shoten Cafe Workshop |
|---|---|
| Address | 2226 Sakazu, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Former Harada Residence |
| Contact | 086-435-0280 |
| Parking | Available About 5 cars Employees also park here. |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Miyake Shoten Cafe Workshop |
