Thinking back to the early Showa period at Kikunoya

Kikunoya was established in 1934 (Showa 9), so it was born at the same time as Mr Kondo envisioned as the early Showa era. At that time, my great-grandfather was training to make sweets, and when he decided to go independent, he got the name from the place where he was training, "Kikuya," and started a confectionery store called "Kikunoya."

When building a house according to the customs of the time and region, there seems to have been a culture in which men living nearby would help out, so Kikunoya was built together with the townspeople.

Construction scenery of "Kikunoya" in the early Showa period.

This was over 80 years ago, but knowing this fact made me feel even more deeply about Kikunoya.

History can be preserved for the future only when there are records and traditions.

I know this story because my grandpa told and showed it to me. He carefully and thoughtfully told me the memories of both great grandpa and grandpa himself.

As is the case with Yunoyama, change is inevitable as time goes by. In order to respect the past in the midst of change, I believe that it is essential to make efforts to preserve the past in the first place, and then to create a new wind that fits the times.

Recent state of "Japanese and Western confectionery Kikunoya". Photo by Kanji Okuoka

There are almost no pictures of Kikunoya before and after the war, but I feel it is valuable to record the current situation and appearance of Kikunoya in order to pass down the current Japanese and Western confectionery Kikunoya. In addition to my daily duties as a sweets shop, it is also an important duty to keep records, store them, and pass them down.

This is not limited to Yunoyama and Kikunoya. A little old things that were close to us can become "history" over time. New things are born all the time, but why not try to find a way to preserve the scenery and places that you find attractive? If that happens, I believe that even a little of Japan's charm will remain in the future.

The "way to preserve" doesn't have to be as great as Mr Kondo's activities. Drinking coffee at the local old coffee shop or going to the sweet shop in the nearby town to buy a cake. I personally feel that such a trivial thing can be a big step.

We hope that Kikunoya, a Japanese and Western confectionery shop, will continue to be a confectionary shop in town that brings smiles of deliciousness to people's faces. We are waiting for you with our sweets!

[Japanese and Western sweets Kikunoya]
Address: 1-37-10 Wakamatsu Kita, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number: 059-385-5001
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: Tuesdays, 4th Mondays
Parking lot: Yes

http://kikunoya1934.jp/

https://www.instagram.com/kikunoya1934/