A Takehara Welcome
“My family has done business here since my grandmother’s time, and I’ve loved the townscape of Takehara for as long as I can remember,” says Kitamaru. In 2014 she renovated the coffee shop her mother had run out of their home, reopening it in its current form: Hanamizuki Preserved Flowers & Cafe.
Traditional bamboo handicrafts decorate the storefront
Its signature item is perfect for a town with a strong sake brewing base: kori-amazake, a shaved ice treat drizzled with amazake – a kind of koji-fermented rice beverage – from three historic local sake breweries. These three varieties subtly convey the distinct flavors of the Fujii, Taketsuru, and Nakao breweries.
Kitamaru runs a shop in the Townscape Conservation Area
Customers to Kitamaru’s shop often take a moment to ask her about what spots to hit in the town, and she is always on the lookout for new places to recommend, striving to give these visitors warm memories of their time here.
A Town Nestled in Nature’s Warmth
This special historic district is lined with the former residences of prosperous merchants known as hamadanna, who built their fortunes on the salt trade. “Seeing how each house was given character by its original residents is a fascinating window into the past. Local period details like the tiled roofs and Takehara-koshi (Takehara latticework) are on full display, making a stroll through the neighborhood a pleasure.”
Rows of merchant mansions where the spirit of the hamadanna class lives on
“I love the rich coastal sunsets in Takehara, moments where I catch a glimpse of the sun playing across the sea. You get used to the sight of the sea living here,” says Kitamaru, “But watching visitors from outside the prefecture be moved by the tranquility of it, the romance of the passenger liners coming and going across the seascape, I never forget what a wonderful place I get to live in.”
Boats ferrying passengers to and fro across the Seto Inland Sea at dusk
Kitamaru lived for a while in both Tokyo and Osaka, and her homecoming from the big cities was a joyous one. Love for the windswept sea and coastal greenery filled her and melted her heart as she returned to this jewel of a town and the rich nature it nestles in.
The Essentiality of Hometown Pride
As the vice chair of the Takehara Townscape Conservation Society, Kitamaru works hard to keep local facilities clean, organize events, and conduct fire prevention drills. “The city has enacted ordinances to protect this beautiful townscape, and I live my life with a constant appreciation for those beautification efforts.”
The temple of Saiho-ji offers a spectacular view of Takehara
The town also makes an effort to teach its history and culture in local elementary schools. Kitamaru is greatly heartened by the children who study it, who will before long become the town’s next generation of stewards.
“The Seto coast is dotted with many towns, but I tell these children that they should be proud of our particular view of the sea from Takehara. If they don’t have pride in their hometown, they will have little to share with visitors.”
Ambling with an Eye to the Town’s Nooks and Crannies
“I want visitors to imagine themselves residents as they walk the town,” says Kitamaru. “Perusing each corner carefully, you’re sure to find a place perfect for you.” She notes that locals are also more than happy for visitors to strike up a conversation with them, and that the town is especially lovely to visit during any of its many traditional events, such as the Futamado no Shinmei Festival, or the Takehara Sumiyoshi Festival. “I love to see visitors participating and enjoying themselves too,” she adds with a smile.
Kitamaru’s desire to convey the joy of town life to visitors is a powerful motivator for her
This is a town of unique and charming historic buildings, gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea, warm and welcoming residents, and a stately yet approachable atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home. On a trip spent sightseeing in Japan, it is sure to stand out from the rest.
Reiko Kitamaru
Owner of Hanamizuki Preserved Flowers & Cafe, located in the Townscape Conservation Area, Kitamaru serves also as vice chair of the Takehara Townscape Conservation Society. She is also deeply involved in the day-to-day beautification and preservation activities that keep the town looking so lovely. Ever the involved citizen, Kitamaru also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, working together with the local government to help the town develop, and keeps her finger on the pulse of town life through close contacts with other residents and businesses.
*Role and association information are current as of the time of the interview.