Ootake Hajime
(Anabuki Town in Mima City / Farmer’s restaurant Fuwari)

Mr. Hajime Ootake (rightmost in the photo) said, "I would like to recommend living in the countryside," with a smile. In March 2016, upon retirement, he and his family moved from Tokyo to Fuchimyou village, where his wife's hometown is located. He now runs a farmer's restaurant called "Fuwari" with his wife and sons.

Fuchimyou village is located around 250 to 550 meters above sea level in Anabuki and is close to the mountaintop where steep slope land agriculture is carried out. Mr.Yasuo Koizumi has been a farmer for many years and is wondering about the future of his community due to its aging population and declining birth rate. At that time, he heard his relative Mr. Ootake and his family say, "We want to move to the area and start a business," he discussed the farmer's restaurant idea with them. The warehouse was renovated and opened in July 2017.

The dishes served at the restaurant are full of seasonal vegetables grown on the local steep slope lands. Ootake's family and local people also handle the cooking. The menu has been carefully selected to offer various dishes, from local specialties to healthy and stylish a la carte dishes, local specialty teas, and desserts.

Mr. Ootake said, "The fresh air here is delicious, and the time flows very slowly. I am impressed by how good true country life is because the local vegetables are so delicious, and I live off the spring water from the Tsurugi Mountains. However, it was cold, and I had to shovel snow in the winter. I was in trouble when the water was frozen. However, more than the inconvenience, the people here are hot. They will talk to you and help you a lot if you need anything."

He is eager to work with the villagers to increase the number of people who move to Nishi Awa.

He said, "I want you to come here first and experience the quality of the place. Young people can also start their businesses because of the internet system."

Farmer’s restaurant "Fuwari"
Address: 307, Kuchiyama-aza-fuchimyou, Anabuki-cho, Mima city, Tokushima Prefecture
TEL: 0883-56-0725
Closed: Every Tuesday