瀬戸内の多島美と“人の営み”に魅せられ…能登半島地震を経験した女性店主がカフェを開店し再出発【岡山】 (26/06/12 19:00)

A cafe offering panoramic views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea opened this spring in Kurashiki City and is proving popular. The owner is a woman who was affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. She was captivated by the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea and decided to try again. ◆ Moved from Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, to open a cafe after being moved by the "beautiful scenery" and "360-degree view from the summit" of Washuzan Mountain The Washuzan Visitor Center in the Seto Inland Sea National Park offers panoramic views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. A cafe opened here in March 2026. The owner is Akane Morita (32), who moved from Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. (Akane Morita, owner of KOTKA SETOUCHI) "When I came to visit before moving here, I was shown around Washuzan Mountain, and I was deeply moved by the beautiful scenery on a sunny day. I loved the 360-degree view from the mountaintop." ◆ Growing popularity through social media and word-of-mouth; regulars appreciate the location with a view of the Seto Ohashi Bridge: "It's so relaxing." The shop's name is "KOTKA SETOUCHI." KOTKA means "eagle" in Finnish. The shop's name, inspired by Washuzan Mountain, has gained popularity not only on social media but also through word-of-mouth. (Visitors say…) "The sea feels great." "It's nice to see the Seto Ohashi Bridge." (This visit was their 15th) "I come here because it's so relaxing." ◆ The cafe mainly offers drinks and sweets using Japanese tea, along with "Okayama-style menu items." The cafe's main menu consists of drinks and sweets using Japanese tea. . (Akane Morita, owner, serving drinks) "Thank you for waiting. For the customer who ordered a hojicha latte, here is your matcha latte. Both are layered, so while it looks beautiful as is in the photo, please mix it well before drinking." Other Okayama-style menu items are also available. "Peach Matcha Cloud" features a layer of frothy peach juice on top of cold matcha. "Indigo-dyed Sencha Soda" turns a pale denim-like color when mixed. ◆Contributing to the revitalization of Washuzan, a representative tourist spot in Okayama: The beauty of the Seto Inland Sea's many islands, the taste and aroma of Japanese tea… "Come here and experience it with all your senses." During Golden Week in 2026, the Washuzan Visitor Center saw approximately 1,600 visitors, 113% of the 2025 figure, demonstrating that the cafe's opening has contributed to the revitalization of the tourist area. (Tourists from Kanagawa Prefecture…) "It's incredibly beautiful. It's perfect for photos. And because it's sunny, it looks especially beautiful." "It's a hidden gem." (Akane Morita, owner of KOTKA SETOUCHI) "We select coffees and Japanese teas with strong, distinctive aromas. Aroma is a sense that easily leaves a lasting impression, so I want people to come here and experience it with all their senses." ◆Akako Morita, who worked as a tourist guide in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, was affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake… She said she "couldn't walk" due to the magnitude 6+ tremor. Ms. Morita, originally from Mie Prefecture, obtained her diving license at a vocational school after graduating from high school. In 2017, she moved to Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and worked as a guide, showing tourists how to interact with wild dolphins that live off the coast of Noto Island. However, in January 2024, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake struck. Ms. Morita's home and workplace were not spared from damage. For about two weeks, I lived a life of sleeping in my car and visiting friends' houses. (Akane Morita, owner of KOTKA SETOUCHI) "The area where I lived experienced a magnitude 6+ earthquake. The shaking was so strong I couldn't escape or even walk. Everything inside the house had fallen over and scattered everywhere, making it impossible to even step. When I went outside, the exterior walls of the house were peeling off; it was half-destroyed and has now been demolished." ◆I love the presence of "human activity" amidst the natural beauty of the numerous islands… Providing the happiness of experiencing the scenery firsthand Ms. Morita decided to move to Kurashiki City one year after the earthquake. (Akane Morita, owner of KOTKA SETOUCHI) "What I love about the scenery here is the presence of human activity. I love the sight of people working amidst the natural beauty of the archipelago, and the sight of boats moving. I want people to come to Washuzan, not just for the cafe. If we offer delicious food, it will become widely known, and I hope that the concept of our shop, which we cherish, will be conveyed—that people can come, experience the scenery firsthand, and deepen their appreciation of it." Since childhood, the sea, which she loves, has always been a part of Morita's life. Enchanted by the calm Seto Inland Sea and the warmth of its people, she began her new challenge in this loc...