The cafe "cafe SHIZUKU under the trees on the hill" (Takase, Fujisaki-cho, Minamitsugaru-gun) opened on January 30th in Aomori and Fujisaki.

The cafe was built on the site of an apple plantation along the "Shiroko Bypass" on the Maesaka Fujisaki Line, which opened in March 2019. Keiichiro Sano and Mr. and Mrs. Wisdom opened the business with the concept of "I want to expand a relaxing healing space like the ripples of drops."

After graduating from high school, Mr. Sano joined Sakurano Department Store. For 26 years, he was in charge of cooking fresh fish and delicatessen. "I decided three years ago that I wanted to open a cafe that I had dreamed of for many years. At first I was planning to rent a tenant in Hirosaki City, but I decided to start a new store near my wife's parents' house." Mr. Sano.

The area is an apple farmland that became an excursion due to the opening of the Shirako Bypass. When I asked the architectural design office "Mizuiro Architects" (Fujisaki Town) to "store with a white triangular roof," it was "a store under a tree on a hill." It is said that it became. Mr. Sano, who made a prompt decision after seeing the rough map, recalls, "We started by building a 2-meter hill on the farmland that was flat."

Construction started in July last year. He filled the soil, planted zelkova in the center of the store, and built white roof tiles and outer walls. When I introduced the situation on Instagram from time to time, it attracted a lot of attention, and the store account had 1400 followers even before it opened. “Many people commute to the Shirako Bypass, and some of the people who have already visited the store said they saw it every morning,” says Sano.

The completed store will also have a living space for the Sano couple. When it was completed, Mr. Sano said, "I was excited that it was really done." The store area is about 10 tsubo. There are 12 seats. Each of the four counter seats has a window overlooking Mt. Iwaki. The table was playful with stamps stamped by Mr. and Mrs. Sano.

The signature menu item, "Pork steak that is handed down to the locals" (1,200 yen), is a pork dish that is handed down among apple farmers living in the area and was taught by Wisdom's father. In addition to pork steak sand and smoked salmon sand (500 yen or more), sweets menu such as fluffy soft serve ice cream (380 yen), fluffy vanilla cheesecake (400 yen), and rustic basque cheesecake (500 yen) and coffee (450 yen) Yen), drinks such as "parent's apple juice" (300 yen), and strawberry shake (600 yen) are also available.

Mr. Sano reveals that the store is incomplete. "We haven't installed a sign yet. We plan to install benches in the zelkova space in the storefront and courtyard. In the spring, the clovers sown on the hills will grow and become green hills. Show a smile.

Mr. Sano said that he proceeded with the opening while listening to advice and opinions from many people. "We couldn't decide on our own, and it was made with the cooperation of everyone," he says. "I don't make a lot of decisions, I want to relax my shoulders and continue to have fun. There are requests to take home take-out menus and sweets, so I want to be able to respond immediately," smiles.

Business hours are from 11:00 to 17:00. Closed on Wednesdays.