Hello everyone. I am Tomohiro Nakamichi from Shibecha Town.
In this "Shibecha Biyori", I will tell you about the charms of Shibecha Town from my point of view. In this second installment of this series, I would like to introduce a guesthouse and restaurant called "Kurasu Koto Kina" in Nijibetsu. The owner is Ms. Keiko Nakamoto. Keiko's homemade cooking is truly delicious, and above all, the atmosphere created by the people gathered at Kina is very warm and always full of smiles.

Exterior view of "Kurasu Koto Kina"

.
Kina does not have a set menu; when you place an order, they come up with a menu tailored to you. For those who are physically active, the menu is meat-based and powerful. For those who are concerned about their health, or for children with allergies, there is a healthy menu that focuses on vegetables.

Keiko says, "It's not like we eat in the same oven, but when we eat together, I feel like we are closer. I think "food" is a more important element than people think.

Japanese food on this day. Keiko comes up with this menu every time. It is exciting to see what will be served

.
Keiko-san runs a guesthouse, but she also has another face. She is a traveler who has been to the Far North many times. She has been to Canada and Alaska many times, camping in the wilderness and canoeing down headwaters.

I have also been to Alaska and photographed wildlife there, so it is very interesting to hear Keiko's stories, and we always talk about her travels and life.

Photo book documenting our travels. It documents a grueling journey that you would never guess from the looks of it

.
Keiko teaches us that the most important thing is to "embrace each day. Since moving here, I have come to realize that the people who have put down roots and are living in this place are all somehow truly enjoying their present lives. They work at sunrise, go home after dark, eat dinner with their families, and sleep. They are enjoying such a normal life.
I used to think, "I want to be Fat. I have always wanted to do something, saying, "I want to be Fat, I want to do Fat. At first glance, this may seem like a glamorous path to achieve my dreams and goals, but in other words, I have always been unsatisfied with the status quo. I always thought, "My current life is not good enough. I always felt like I was missing something, and I was desperately trying to make up for it by getting involved in more outside activities and trying to find something to do.

But after moving to Shibecha, getting involved with the people who live in Shibecha, and meeting Keiko, my sense of values gradually changed.
"What are you in such a hurry for?

One day Keiko-san said to me with a laugh, "Don't be in a hurry, don't be in a hurry.

She said to me with a laugh, "Don't rush, don't rush, just take your time.

I felt as if something inside me had collapsed.

In exchange for pursuing something, I failed to notice the important things that were right in front of me. Then, little by little, I began to see many things.

The rich expressions of my dogs, the changing seasons, the softness of the wind on my cheeks, the small flowers blooming in their designated spots. The warm sunlight. The gratitude for the rain. The list is endless.

In fact, our daily lives are filled with happiness and miracles.

The beauty of the sunset, the daily life with the dog. The little happinesses are now shining through

. My goal is to stay the same. Because now is enough."

You can tell that Keiko really means what she says. What is needed to live in the countryside, where the environment is harsher than in the Kanto or urban areas, may not be lofty goals or a strong mental or physical strength, but the simplicity to accept each day as it comes. Kina, with its space created by Keiko, is an indispensable place for me.

The meaning of "kurasu koto" in "kurasu koto kina" comes from Keiko's wish for her guests to "stay here as if they were living there. The name of the house also conveys the warmth of Keiko's heart. Perhaps abundance is not about acquiring something, but about becoming aware of what you have.

I have come to believe that after meeting Keiko-san.

I am currently working for the Shibecha-machi Regional Development Cooperation Volunteers, and a video of me interviewing "Kurasu Koto Kina" and Keiko-san is currently being shown on their channel.


The Shibecha-machi Regional Development Cooperation Volunteers channel has a lot of content, including introductions to various businesses that I interviewed and Shibecha's hot news, Shibecha News. I have tried to make it easy to watch even for those who have no connection to Shibecha, and I have tried to make the images beautiful and easy to watch even for those who have no knowledge of Shibecha.

If you have time, please visit the Shibecha Town Community Development Channel. It is now completely autumn in Hokkaido. It seems that cold weather is coming from here day by day as if it is going to bring winter. When the nanamakado trees in front of the town hall start to bear fruits, autumn will finally begin. I feel that the Ezo squirrels I usually see are busier than usual chewing on the berries, as if they know that winter is coming early.
I am a first-year student in Hokkaido, but I would like to spend my time appreciating every day, enjoying the things that change day by day and cherishing the things that stay the same.