"Takoyaki/Dagashi Non" (Minamiyokocho, Hirosaki City, TEL 090-5598-8572 ) will celebrate its first anniversary on September 11th.

This store sells cheap sweets starting from 5 yen and offers take-out takoyaki. Owner Nodoka Okumura opened the store on September 11th last year. “I was worried at first when the number of repeat customers increased and the children came to shop alone, but I was able to continue for a year,” recalls Okumura.

Mr. Okumura, who worked at a convenience store, felt uncomfortable that children could not buy sweets for 100 yen and that communication with customers was becoming weak, so he decided to start a candy store that he used to enjoy going to. He says he started thinking about it.

``I wanted my children to experience the excitement of a candy store,'' says Okumura. At first, we were only thinking about selling cheap sweets, but after listening to the opinions of those around us, we decided to offer takoyaki because there was a kitchen in the same tenant that used to be an izakaya. Takoyaki with a special sauce has been well received, and in response to the requests of regular customers, they have started offering monthly menus.

Okumura buys the candy from vendors, but sometimes she asks children what kind of candy they want and then buys it herself online. The ``Children's Ticket'' system was started when some children accompanied their friends home without being able to buy anything. These tickets are given to children by adults, and they have people purchase tickets worth 100 yen worth of sweets, etc., and place them in stores so that children who wish can use them.

A 1st anniversary event will be held on September 10th. In addition to offering a 50 yen discount on all takoyaki menu items, they will also sell items such as Karan Karan Ice Cream (100 yen) and Rakugaki Senbei (150 yen).

Okumura says with a smile, ``I want to create a store where more children can easily gather together, and where families can have fun together.''

Business hours are from 11:00 to 18:00 (from 10:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). Closed on Wednesdays and the 3rd Saturday of the month. It is also open at night on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Night business hours are from 18:30 to 22:00.