{"id":28131,"date":"2026-05-26T11:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T02:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charity-coffee.jp\/?p=28131"},"modified":"2026-05-26T11:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T02:42:58","slug":"cafe-hare-to-ke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.charity-coffee.jp\/en\/cafe-hare-to-ke\/","title":{"rendered":"Cafe: Hare to Ke"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I step through the doors of <\/span>Hare to Ke<\/span><\/i>, I am warmly greeted by Noguchi, the owner of the caf\u00e9, and her two robot employees, Dori and Dora.<\/span><\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9 has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, where every detail feels thoughtfully placed. From the carefully selected products on display to the gentle harmony between tradition and technology, it is clear that Noguchi has a deep dedication not only to her surroundings and the environment but als<\/span><\/p>\n

But I hope for a future where they can coexist with us and become part of our everyday routines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0to the people who step into her space.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a quiet warmth here\u2014one that invites you to slow down, take a seat, and simply be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noguchi:<\/p>\n

“The name <\/span>‘Hare to Ke\u201d<\/span><\/i> comes from a concept expressed by the folklorist Kunio Yanagita.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHare\u201d refers to the extraordinary, while \u201cKe\u201d represents the everyday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Robots are still not part of our daily lives\u2014they are still something special.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, the concept also reflects the importance of daily life\u2014especially eating.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>ranma<\/span><\/i> (traditional transom) in the shop is another example.<\/span>
\n<\/span>It used to be a normal feature in Japanese homes, but today it feels almost extraordinary.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Through this space, I wanted to express how the boundary between the ordinary and extraordinary changes over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

I also want to preserve and share Japanese cultural traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, we sell dorayaki made with rice flour.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Normally, they are made with wheat flour, but since Japan has a strong rice culture, we use rice instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

We grind the beans fresh so customers can fully enjoy the aroma.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Personally, I love drip coffee, and I feel it\u2019s gentler on the body compared to espresso.<\/span><\/p>\n

At home, I use a Hario V60.<\/span>
\n<\/span>In the caf\u00e9, we also use a dripper that allows us to brew multiple cups at once when it gets busy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019m originally fro<\/span>m Kansai, so I wasn\u2019t very familiar with Saitama.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When I was looking for a place to open the caf\u00e9, friends recommended Urawa.<\/span>
\n<\/span>It\u2019s known as an educational district, with a strong focus on children and learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

It has both urban convenience and access to nature, which creates a really nice balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That idea of \u201cbalance\u201d also connects to the concept of this caf\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many children in this area, and there are kindergartens nearby, so a lot of kids visit the caf\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\n

It makes me really happy to see so many children here.<\/span><\/p>\n

My connection to Malawi started through students from a nearby school.<\/span><\/p>\n

They first came as regular customers, but they had a strong passion for promoting fair trade.<\/span>
\n<\/span>That eventually led to our collaboration.<\/span><\/p>\n

It felt like a meaningful connection, and I was really happy about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9 is not the final goal\u2014there is more I want to do beyond it.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Japan, many farmers are aging, and there is a shortage of successors.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Since eating is essential to life, food is incredibly important.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the future, I would like to grow vegetables in an environmentally friendly way, without pesticides,<\/span>
\n<\/span>and bring back traditional farming and produce.”<\/span><\/p>\n

As I listen and chat with Noguchi, I take a sip of the Malawian coffee that Dori has carefully brewed for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bright yet gentle flavors of the beans, shaped by their unique terroir, blend seamlessly with the warm and calming atmosphere of the caf\u00e9. In that moment, I feel both relaxed and quietly satisfied.<\/span><\/p>\n