Students working to solve environmental problems run an ethical cafe in a traditional Japanese house for a limited time

The community space used (right) and Isumiya (left)

Group photo of members

Led by students from Professor Kunitake Yoko's seminar in Faculty of Management and Information Sciences and students from the Regional Studies Co-Creation Project I, a cafe called "Kikibiyori" was run for a limited period of four days from September 10th to 13th in an old Japanese house in Isumi City.

Mr. Narukawa talking with a customer

Seiya Narukawa (Faculty of Management and Information Sciences, 3rd year), one of the Kunitake seminar members, has a dream of running his own cafe in the future. This project came about when Mr. Narukawa met Yukio and Hiroko Tezuka, who run "Isumiya," an old private house in Isumi City that sells organic vegetables and additive-free foods, and the community space "Kiki," which is also located there. Mr. Yukio Tezuka is also a board member of NPO Isumi Lifestyle Research. In the past, he was instrumental in a project to introduce 100% organic rice to school lunches in Isumi City, and he was also the driving force behind the enactment of the "Isumi City Biodiversity Strategy," the first in the prefecture (Chiba).

Creating a bamboo interior

Bamboo interior decor in a cafe

Mr. Narukawa also led the members of the "Sanmu Strawberry Project" that was carried out in Professor Kunitake's class. His aspirations for the future, his seminar project to reduce bamboo damage and the idea of creating a store interior using bamboo, and the seminar's theme of efforts to conserve the local ecosystem, all matched with the ideas and image of the old house cafe and the Tezukas, so members of the seminar and the Regional Studies Co-Creation Project came together to run the cafe.

Students working on Menu development

Popular Menu "Isumi Nisai Curry"

The students began by developing Menu, and made numerous Menu on campus. The main Menu, curry, was decided by a vote among six groups. The curry was made using Isumi rice, and the vegetables included organic vegetables sold at Isumi-ya. Other drinks on Menu Menu included shaved ice made with blueberries and plums, and organic tea and coffee. The store was decorated with seasonal wildflowers and bamboo to match the atmosphere of an old Japanese house, and the garden was set up to provide a place for children to play with water balloons, among other ideas to entertain customers. Although there were some days with poor weather during the event, more than 80 people, mostly local residents, visited the store, and the store was bustling with activity.
Customers who visited the store said, "I came because I thought it was a great initiative. The curry was delicious and the interior decorations were lovely. I hope they hold this event again." They all had a fulfilling time.

Students making yo-yos for children

Comment from Narukawa

I met Mr. Tezuka when I was thinking about running a cafe in the future, and he kindly provided me with a wonderful space. This time, I made sure to focus on customer service and conversation. I believe that not only listening to what customers have to say, but also proactively communicating with them leads to new learning and building relationships. By talking with customers, the participating members were able to gain a customer service experience that they wouldn't get in a regular restaurant. I was very happy with the warm welcome we received from Mr. and Mrs. Tezuka and the local people who visited the cafe.

Comment from Yukio and Hiroko Tezuka

When I met Narukawa in July, I felt he was a strong-willed person with a clear idea of what he wanted to do. He thinks and acts on his own, rather than being influenced by others, so I was involved in a more watchful way.
The event space we rented out has been used for yoga classes, movie nights, and live performances, but this was the first time it was used as a cafe. Customers seemed to be pleased with the students' hospitality and the flavor of Menu. I think it's amazing how the students are able to create the cafe from scratch, including cooking and serving customers.