Interview with Shinji and Keiko
Can you tell us what prompted you to establish "Orange House Hokkori" in 2021?
Keiko
It might be a bit long, but let me explain step by step.
If we trace back to the beginning, it would be 18 years ago (2005).
My eldest son, who was in the second grade at the time, suddenly collapsed one day from a brain hemorrhage, even though he had been healthy until then.
According to the examination, it seems he had a problem with the blood vessels in his brain since birth, but we didn't notice it until the onset...
As a result, my eldest son developed mild intellectual and physical disabilities, and from that day on, we suddenly became parents of a child with disabilities.
That was the main trigger.
Moving forward rather than waiting
What was the process leading up to the opening of the café?
Keiko
When my eldest son was about to enter middle school, he joined the "Kankochomidorikai" (a parents' association for children and adults with intellectual disabilities). *Hereafter referred to as "Midorikai".
As we started activities together in the association, we began to see what would be better for people with disabilities in society and the community.
We expressed those thoughts, both personally and as "Midorikai", and even approached the government about them.
During that time, I had the opportunity to talk with acquaintances about wanting more support in welfare and wanting to improve Asakuchi City.
That circle gradually expanded, and we sometimes approached as citizens with gathered friends, but...
Eventually, we realized that it wasn't easy and that things weren't going as we hoped.
Ostomate toilet: A toilet designed for people who have an artificial stoma (excretion opening) due to illness or injury.
When the conversation turned to "So what should we do?", we said, "Rather than waiting, let's start moving from what we can do now."
That led to the birth of the organization called "Tamariba Café" in Asakuchi City.
Tamariba Café is a place where anyone, regardless of age or disability, can connect easily.
We thought about how people could connect and interact beyond various positions to improve each other's lives.
We held the first and second Tamariba Café events at the Community Center, and gradually more people began to connect through these actions.
For the third event, we planned to hold it at Kankon Library, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic...
The activities came to a halt there, but we thought it would be a waste to stop.
So, we decided to start a café that we could manage ourselves.
Did you intend to do it in the Otani area from the beginning?
Shinji
Initially, I wasn't particular about Otani.
As I participated in various meetings in Kankochom and the Otani area and talked, I began to think that this might be a good place.
When I shared that "we want to do this" at those gatherings, everyone welcomed it.
I felt the need, and there were also increasing vacant houses in Otani.
At one point, the current landlord asked me, "A place that used to be a shrine shop has become vacant; would you like to use it?"
Not categorizing, but wanting everyone to use it
Since starting the shop, what has been the response from the neighborhood and surrounding areas?
Keiko
From the neighbors, I received the words, "A place where I can safely tell the children to go play and eat."
I am grateful for that.
Last summer, the Midorikai wanted to create opportunities for interaction with the local community, so we held a small summer festival.
Many children who use after-school day services came, and we were able to have a small event.
That led to some people joining the Midorikai.
It’s not that a huge crowd gathers, but we are gradually receiving connections, not just from the neighbors.
People come from all over the country to visit Kankokyo, and those who visited the shop once came back again during their next visit.
I feel happy thinking that it has become a place where we can have fun moments together, chatting and displaying handmade items.
The initial motivation came from the Midorikai and Tamariba Café, but the relationships are expanding.
Shinji
Yes.
It's like there are no barriers; rather than categorizing, we want everyone to use it.
Keiko
For example, children with disabilities can't suddenly become friendly.
I think that if they meet people here, they can feel safe and interact more easily.
Furthermore, we thought about ways to connect even if people don't happen to be there at the same time, so we created a corner to leave letters addressed to someone.
Recently, some customers have started writing replies, and it has begun to develop.
Regarding the content, I, as the manager, filter it through "Orange House Hokkori" to ensure that nothing hurtful is written.
It turned out to be the most beneficial for myself
It has been about 1 year and 6 months since the opening in 2021; how do you feel now?
Keiko
To be honest, it’s really fun.
Shinji
It is fun.
Keiko
Thanks to the café "Orange House Hokkori" on Sundays, I feel like I can work energetically during the weekdays.
At first, I thought, "I want to be helpful to someone," but in reality, it has turned out to be the most beneficial for myself.
Of course, I want to remember that many people's thoughts have been packed into this journey.
I want to make use of the thoughts of the parents from the Midorikai, and I also want to realize the projects that Tamariba Café wants to do.
What kind of reactions did you get from your children when starting the shop?
Shinji
They said, "Why not just do it?"
We have three children, and even during their difficult teenage years, we always made it a point to have dinner together.
During those times, I would talk about "someday I want to do this" or "today I'm going to Tamariba Café."
So, I think they sensed what their parents wanted to do and naturally accepted it.
Keiko
By the way, the omelet rice on the menu is my husband's specialty.
When our second son was little, he had an egg allergy, but as he grew, he became able to eat "Takata eggs," and my husband would make it for him.
Now, our second son is in Tokyo, but when he comes back, he says, "I can cook now too," and the dish he made was taco rice.
It was so delicious that we added it to the lunch menu.
Everything was a prelude to this moment
I can imagine that your eldest son has gone through a tough time with a sudden illness.
Keiko
But the parents haven't really done much.
Through teachers, local people, and parents who meet through the children, you must have been incredibly blessed in a rare way.
At the current café, I initially felt sorry for the mother of my eldest son's classmate who helps out almost every week.
She said, "I'm here because it's fun," and I am truly grateful that I can continue because of that.
Recently, I've been thinking, "Wow! I was blessed with so many people to do this, everything was a prelude to this moment."
At first, I felt like I had to do this and that, and I was trying hard, but recently I've come to feel that things are happening as they should, and I've entered a sort of letting-go mode.
What do you think is the role of 'Orange House Hokkori'?
Keiko
A connector, perhaps.
It's not just about thriving as a café; it's a way to connect with various people.
Shinji
More like a supporter, I hope to create a space where everyone can realize the things they want to try or the dreams they have in mind.
Rather than wanting to do something ourselves, we want to incorporate what our customers think would be good.
Are there any things you want to work on in the future or any prospects?
Keiko
I want to connect more deeply and slowly with various generations in the community and those who live nearby but haven't come yet.
I want to pick up more voices about what people are looking for and what they desire.
Shinji
Someday, I want to try doing various things, not just on Sunday afternoons, but perhaps at night or changing the plans on weekdays, as much as we can respond to requests.
By the way, my eldest son's dream is to be a bartender.
He started making cocktails after becoming friends with a bartender at a shop he happened to visit in Tokyo.
He has a slight paralysis in his body, but he enjoys making the cocktails he learned at home and serving them to the family.
Keiko
Eventually, I want it to be a place that is open every day and can be casually visited.
While dreaming of such a future, I am excited to continue various activities.
After the Interview
In writing, it may seem like Keiko spoke more, but as the writer listening to the conversation, I felt that both of their thoughts were connected.
I imagine that this bond was created through the accumulation of experiences while raising their three children together.
Keiko's expression, "everything was a prelude to this moment," is truly a goosebump-inducing phrase.
Accepting fate, transforming it into a force to move forward, and through trial and error, eventually discovering a new purpose in life is a grand story.
It was an interview that gave me courage.
'Orange House Hokkori' is a bright and friendly place, so I believe they will definitely welcome you joyfully when you visit.
If you ever visit the Otani area of Kankou-cho on a Sunday, please feel free to drop by.
Data of Orange House Hokkori
| Name | Orange House Hokkori |
|---|---|
| Address | 293 Otani, Kankou-cho, Asakuchi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | Not listed |
| Parking | No No dedicated parking. Please use the parking lot in front of Kankou Library or the parking lot below the Kankou Church headquarters. |
| Business Hours | Open only on Sundays / 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM *Business hours may change. |
| Regular Holidays | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, public holidays, irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Not accepted |
| Seating | Counter seats: 3 Number of tables: 4 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet, barrier-free toilet |
| Childcare | Children welcome |
| Barrier-free | Barrier-free toilet Ostomate toilet available |
| Website | Orange House Hokkori: Official Instagram |
