In November 2022, as part of the autumn course at Mizushima Community Center, the "Nostalgia: Walking Tour of Mizushima" was held.
The author also participated, attending lectures, walking tours of Mizushima, and group work over three days with working adults and high school and middle school students.
Through the learning experience, I was able to notice new things about the Showa-era townscape and the charming people that remain in Mizushima.
I will introduce the content of the three-day course and focus on the photos from the second day's "Walking Tour of Mizushima".
What is the autumn course "Nostalgia: Walking Tour of Mizushima"?
The "Nostalgia: Walking Tour of Mizushima" was held in November 2022.
| Date and Time | Content | Instructor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | November 12, 2022 (Saturday) 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Lecture | Akira Furukawa, Representative Director of Mizushima Park Management Lab. |
| Day 2 | November 19, 2022 (Saturday) 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Walking Tour of Mizushima | Group A: Ienori Noro, PTA President of Daigo Fukuda Elementary School Group B: Mr. Furukawa Group C: Ryoko Tanabe, Representative of Libra DESIGN |
| Day 3 | November 26, 2022 (Saturday) 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Group Work | Mr. Furukawa |
Day 1 "Lecture"
In the "Lecture," discussions included resources such as food, medical care, and human resources in Mizushima, the history of Mizushima including land reclamation, the birth of Mizushima Rinkai Railway and shopping streets, and Mr. Furukawa's thoughts on Mizushima's strengths, new initiatives, and bright signs.
The bright signs of Mizushima are as follows:
- There are many parks. *This is also part of fire prevention measures, and it is said that there were wells in each park in the past.
- It feels retro from the Showa era. For example, cafes and nightlife snack streets.
- Young people with sharp sensibilities are starting to move in, and shops are increasing. *Such as "Espresso Hitotsu", "New Gym", "Boutique", etc.
- The back streets retain the atmosphere of Nagoya. *This is said to be a remnant of when many employees transferred from Nagoya's factories when the old Mizushima Heavy Industries was established in Mizushima.
- People are kind. There is an increasing number of active individuals and organizations, and a gentle collaboration can be seen.
▼ Walking around the area near Eki Station of Mizushima Rinkai Railway, I was surprised to find many parks.
In some areas, there is one park per block, or they are arranged directly across the street from each other.
▼ I found a shutter in the shopping street painted with a mailbox. It evokes nostalgia.
Day 2 "Walking Tour of Mizushima"
On the second day, the instructor and participants were divided into three groups to walk around the shopping street.
During the free walking tour, each group visited 3 to 4 shops and conducted interviews.
A simple map and a Mizushima walking tour record sheet (with simple interview questions) were also distributed.
Everything was well prepared.
The author was in Group C.
Together with instructor Tanabe, we visited four stores including Takahashi Camera and also visited the "Mizushima Materials Exchange Center Asagao Gallery".
| Instructor | Store 1 | Store 2 | Store 3 | Store 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Noro | Tomiya Electric | Milk Crown | Yoshida Coffee | |
| Group B | Furukawa | Kagiya Yashiro | Toraya | Abe Sake Store | |
| Group C | Tanabe | Takahashi Camera | Eido | Western Beggar | Benibara |
Now, let's head out for the "Walking Tour of Mizushima"!
While taking photos with the distributed cameras, we walked slowly with the map in hand, chatting as a group.
From here, I will introduce the shops that Group C interviewed!
Takahashi Camera
| Established | Established in 1958, currently in its second generation |
|---|---|
| Store Motto | Customer First |
| Popular Products | Used to sell cameras in the past, but adapted to changes in the times. Before COVID-19, they sold "portable equipment (1.7 to 1.8 million yen)" nationwide. |
| Impressive Content | The "portable equipment" was the first of its kind produced and sold nationwide by Takahashi Camera. The owner creates designs based on orders. LED is used for lighting. |
▼ The building with the red sign on the right is "Takahashi Camera." I feel the nostalgia of the Showa era in the surrounding arcade.
▼ An explanation of the "portable equipment" by the owner, Mr. Takahashi.
This portable equipment is a foldable and transportable shooting studio.
It can be taken outside, assembled, and used for shooting.
I was impressed by this idea and execution.
Before COVID-19, there were orders from all over the country.
Shimaya Seika Eido
| Established | Established in 1950 (70 years in business) *Previously operated as "Yayoido" near Yayoi Station |
|---|---|
| Store's Aspiration | Wants to preserve the taste of "an" from the closed "Yayoido" in June 2017. Therefore, they inherited the taste and craftsmanship and opened as "Shimaya Seika Eido" in February 2018. |
| Popular Products | Mizushima-nada Genpei Monaka (black bean paste) Kurashiki Wisteria Monaka (white bean paste) |
| Impressive Content | There is a song for the store (in enka style) |
▼ Eido, located near Eki Station of the Rinkai Railway.
▼ The store staff explains the popular product (Wisteria Monaka) while holding it.
The author also purchased it as a souvenir later.
The moderate sweetness of the an is appealing, and the desire to keep it is conveyed.
▼ The newly developed Monaka shaped like a car and a rocket is also interesting. It feels like Mizushima.
Additionally, I also noticed the wooden molds displayed on the lower shelf.
These are the candy molds that were used during the time of Yayoido.
You will be captivated by the magnificent carvings.
Western Beggar
| Established | Established in 1975 |
|---|---|
| Origin of the Store Name | The store owner's father was someone who incorporated Western things during the time of Japan's defeat in World War II (in a mocking way) |
| Popular Product | Cream soda topped with a white rose |
| Memorable Content | The antiques that first catch your eye when you enter the store were started to be collected by the store owner's father |
▼ The brick exterior is a landmark. There is a parking lot on the first floor, and you enter the second-floor store from the stairs on the left.
▼ The landlady, who kindly responded to our interview despite her busy schedule. The author feels a sense of the Showa era in this one photo.
▼ Inside the store, with its dark and atmospheric ambiance, you can spend a leisurely time gazing at the many antiques lined up closely together.
Light Meal Cafe Benibara
| Established | Established in 1970 |
|---|---|
| Store Motto | To treat customers like family. *During the interview, many people came to the store and seemed to be enjoying conversations. |
| Popular Product | (Cheap and delicious) Morning and lunch |
| Memorable Content | "Energetic landlady" and "store interior that evokes Showa nostalgia" |
▼ The sign of Benibara reminds you of a light meal cafe from the Showa era.
▼ Yakisoba and zenzai also look delicious, but I definitely want to try the morning and lunch.
Mizushima Resource Exchange Center Asagao Gallery
| Opened | Opened on October 15, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Museum Motto | A museum that exhibits records of lawsuits related to "pollution in Kurashiki and Mizushima" *The Mizushima Foundation, located right in front of the exchange center, was opened. |
| First Exhibit | A tapestry hanging on the wall. It shows a view from Mabi on the Takahashi River to Kurashiki, Mizushima, and the mouth of the Takahashi River, allowing you to learn about the history of Kurashiki and Mizushima. |
| Memorable Content | It was surprising that a splendid exchange center, gathering many valuable materials, was opened with the cooperation of many people. |
▼ Shiwaku, a researcher at the Mizushima Foundation, used a tapestry printed with aerial photographs to explain about Kurashiki and Mizushima.
▼ A wall filled with organized valuable materials. This bookshelf was also completed with the help of local high school students.
Day 3 "Group Work"
Each group will present the results of their interviews and town walks.
On the day, despite the sudden decision to present, the middle school students who walked and interviewed together did a great job presenting.
I was interested in how the current middle school students perceive the townscape of Mizushima, which I feel has a Showa era vibe.
- According to the presenters and middle school students in the same group, the townscape of Mizushima is more "retro" than "nostalgic." *Despite attending a nearby middle school, they don't often come to the shopping district. Because they don't come often, they seem to have new discoveries and a better impression. - Regarding "the future of Mizushima," a middle school student mentioned, "We need the power of communication through SNS to go viral." *It was refreshing to hear such straightforward opinions from today's youth.
Mr. Furukawa's summary concluded the three-day course.
Conclusion
The author participated with the hope of enjoying the "Mizushima Town Walk" together with the participants over three days.
Upon participating, I found that there were many more activities than I had imagined, including lectures, interviews, and group work, in addition to the town walk.
It was a valuable experience to learn, walk, and talk about Mizushima together with high school students, middle school students, and working adults, who I usually don't have many opportunities to converse with.
Additionally, there was a comment from a middle school student suggesting that "we need communication power," and I felt that the words of instructor Mr. Tanabe, "we are promoting community development that doesn't go viral," carry an important message.
Through this article, I hope it serves as a trigger for readers to think, "I want to participate in this course," "Maybe I'll visit a store in Mizushima this weekend?," or "Let's check out this store!"
Nostalgia: Mizushima Town Walk Edition (2022, Mizushima Community Center Autumn Course) Data
| Name | Nostalgia: Mizushima Town Walk Edition (2022, Mizushima Community Center Autumn Course) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kurashiki City Mizushima Community Center |
