Temporary Store

Handmade Udon Saruya

With the goal of returning to "everyday life," this udon shop operates from a private home in Mabi.

Interview with the owner, Yuki Shibata

It has been a few days since you started operating at the temporary store, have you settled down a bit?

Shibata

As you can see, we are operating under a tent, so for example, it is tough when "the wind is strong". We also use fire, and honestly, it has been quite challenging.

However,

I think it is better than doing nothing

and even in this situation, we have to "keep living," so we are moving little by little.

Thanks to that, we have been featured in the media, and I believe it has value to be able to communicate that we are moving towards reopening.

To be honest, even if we become a topic of conversation and many customers come, we cannot provide adequate service in such a store.

Also, I think that not only myself but also the neighbors will have to deal with the demolition of their homes in the future, so I don't think we can continue in this place for long.

Situation during the disaster

This is your home, which is currently being used as a temporary store, and it looks quite new... I imagine you had various thoughts during the disaster, but could you share what you can about that time?

Shibata

Of course, the store, but this home, which was only about a year old, and my parents' house nearby were affected by the disaster.

Fortunately, all three family members (my wife, a middle schooler, and an elementary schooler) are safe.

There was an explosion at the aluminum factory in Soja (Asahi Aluminum Industry) late at night on July 7, right?

At that time (around 1 AM on July 7), the water level was not that serious, but we thought, "It's bad, let's escape," so we moved by car to a relative's house that is relatively high up to evacuate.

That is how we escaped the disaster.

However, to be honest, I never imagined I would be affected by flooding...

Current life

Please tell us about your current life.

Shibata

After the disaster, I did not go to a shelter but evacuated to my wife's parents' house in Tsuruie (Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture).

I feel like I am gradually returning to Mabi to organize my home.

Volunteers from the Disaster Volunteer Center have come twice to help with mud removal and moving out household goods.

They have come not only from Okayama but from all over the country, and I was surprised.

At the Disaster Volunteer Center, I was mainly at the reception, so I know well that especially on weekends, during peak times, over 1,000 people visited, and there were fewer locals from Okayama Prefecture, as people came from various places.

Shibata

Is that so!

If it weren't for something like this, I probably wouldn't have visited Mabi. I am truly grateful.

Right now, my top priority is to demolish the nearby family home and rebuild it.

My wife and children are still living at her parents' house.

I am in a temporary housing situation because of the store.

I can't prepare things early in the morning at my wife's parents' house...

On the other hand, the temporary housing, which is an apartment, is not an environment where I can cook.

For now, it is cramped, and even though it is an apartment, there are other residents, so I can't make a lot of noise early in the morning.

Either way, it is tough.

However, we have to "keep living."

I think we can only do what we can, even if it is just a little.

Future of the store

You are currently using a corner of your home as a temporary store, but have you decided on any plans for the future of the store?

Shibata

The original store was rented.

The owner was also affected by the disaster, and since their home is the priority, I think it will be a long time before I can operate at the original store, or it may be impossible.

So, I am considering whether I can operate seriously around the temporary store at my home.

I have heard about something called a super house (unit house), and I am in the process of researching whether I can use this as a store.

That said, there are also financial issues.

The public funding for demolition is only available until the end of this fiscal year (until March 2019), and I have to consider not only the store but also my home.

Having experienced the disaster, I have come to realize how precious "everyday life" is.

I haven't even been able to take my dog for a walk, which I used to do regularly, since July 7.

I have a dog that I kept as a pet, but now it is being taken care of at my sister's house.

I am also getting help from the store, and I am somehow managing to live with the support of various people.

I want to return to "everyday life" as soon as possible.

For that reason, right now,

I want to show that I am doing my best

I think.

We deliver selected articles from Kurashiki Tocotoco via LINE