Interview with the owner, Nakahara Shosuke
Why did you change the shop name and renovate at this timing?
I spoke with the cafe owner, Nakahara Shosuke.
This interview is based on the content from the initial coverage in October 2022.
Reason for changing the shop name
The shop opened in 2017, but why did you change the shop name at this timing?
Nakahara (honorific omitted)
The main reason for changing the shop name was that I wanted to ask designer Kuwada Yasuhisa to create the shop logo.
He is someone who works at his own pace.
When the cafe opened in 2017, his schedule was packed, and I thought it would be impossible to ask him for a logo in time, so I gave up.
I wanted to wait for the logo to be completed on his end.
I really like what Kuwada makes.
I passed on it at the time of the opening, but as I ran the shop, my desire to ask Kuwada grew stronger.
So this time, I decided to ask him to create the logo.
I only asked for the logo, but he ended up creating dessert plates, menus, and posters as well.
What is the relationship between Nakahara-san and Kuwada-san?
Nakahara
I met him when I was working at a bar in Fukuyama City.
I liked the doodles he would draw when he was drunk.
Kuwada-san can draw both neat designs and rough, hand-drawn styles.
For the shop logo, I had him create as many doodle-style designs as possible, and I chose from those.
In 2008, I became independent and sold cakes from a tricycle in the Bikan Historical Area.
At that time, I also had Kuwada design the logo for me.
At that time, there was still no social media, and I was struggling to figure out how to promote it while writing a blog.
Why did you name the cafe "Garden and Literature"?
Nakahara
I love books, and when I thought about this building as an old Showa-era house, I felt that Showa and literature go well together.
Writing it in kanji as 文学 looks quite formal, doesn't it?
I wanted it to be interpreted as either "enjoying literature" or "learning literature," so I used katakana.
If I had to choose, it's more about "enjoying literature."
The way to spend time in the store has changed after renovation
Was the renovation done to coincide with the name change?
Nakahara
Previously, when I was accepting families with children, I avoided placing things around because it would be a problem if a child knocked something over and got hurt.
Having children around makes large bookshelves dangerous, doesn't it?
When I stopped accepting families with children, I thought it would be fine to place various items.
So, I put in a bookshelf.
Are the books your personal property?
Nakahara
Yes, they are my personal property.
The genres of the books vary, but I basically like philosophical ones.
When I read Ryotaro Shiba, Osamu Dazai, and Kenji Miyazawa, the stories have purposes and results, and if I say it relates to the state of mind, it becomes philosophical.
I like works that describe how people live.
So, I also enjoy historical works.
For manga, I thought it would be easy to read, so I have some of those as well.
You have counter seats where you can see the garden now.
Nakahara
I'm glad we made counter seats.
They are well received by customers.
It has become easier for solo customers to come.
In fact, I often went to cafes alone, so I thought it was important to have such a place.
The garden is also under renovation, and it is planned to change a lot more in the future.
I planted one plum tree, two maple trees, and some moss.
I am changing things slowly with a long-term perspective.
I added light bulbs so that the garden can be seen a little even at night.
A menu to savor rice
The menu has also changed from before.
Nakahara
I used to have a lot of rice bowls like steak don and loco moco don.
The reason for changing to set meals is that I want customers to enjoy rice more purely.
We use rice from Kurashiki Beikoshi, and it is stored very carefully.
By managing the temperature during storage, the rice does not deteriorate and the flavor does not decline.
They blend rice specifically for our shop.
I thought it might be better to separate the rice so that you can enjoy it with the side dishes.
In making it a set meal, I increased the side dishes to enhance satisfaction.
I want it to be a place where you can relax
Nakahara
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea is also recommended. We participate during the summer and winter event periods.
I hope you can spend your time luxuriously, both in terms of time and space.
Surely those who love cafes want to drink tea and spend time leisurely, right?
I also want those running the cafe to enjoy their time like that.
However, just that alone won't sustain the business, so we serve lunch, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also focused on takeout.
I believe that as the value and brand of the shop increase, we can sell through online sales.
If we can sell outside of in-store dining, I wonder if my ideal of a shop where you can leisurely drink tea can be sustained.
I am considering online sales in the future, so please look forward to it.
In conclusion
Cafe 'Garden and Bungaku' surrounded by a Japanese garden and books.
The shop name, logo, menu, and interior have changed, making it a more comfortable cafe to spend time in.
Listening to classical music, looking at the garden, and picking up your favorite book to spend your time as you wish sounds nice.
How about visiting cafe 'Garden and Bungaku' for lunch, to eat sweets, or for afternoon tea?
Data for cafe 'Garden and Bungaku'
| Name | cafe 'Garden and Bungaku' |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-14-45 Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-7459-0572 |
| Parking | Available 7 spaces at the yellow poles of Namba Parking |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last order at 4:00 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Sunday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Yes Reservations required for use after 5:00 PM |
| Seating | 22 seats: 16 table seats, 4 counter seats, 2 sofa seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Official Instagram of cafe 'Garden and Bungaku' |
