VOL.9 SPECIAL TALK | Working, Learning, and Living in ONOMICHI

I have traveled around the world and visited 50 countries, and I particularly love cities with a view of the sea. In that regard, Onomichi is great because it has the sea and the sunlight is very strong. It’s tough without sunglasses, but I love being able to constantly feel the power of the sun. I think it’s enriching to just go outside and feel that energy.

Indeed. There might be a reason why farmers are so energetic here. Another thing about the difference between Onomichi and Setoda on Ikuchijima is that Setoda is beautiful with its seasonal colors. This is mainly because the mountains are full of citrus trees. Typically, winter is associated with bare trees after the leaves have fallen. But here in winter, you can see the citrus fruits coloring the trees and farmers busily transporting these colors in their trucks. In spring, the mountain cherry blossoms bloom, in summer, there’s the sunlight and greenery, and in autumn, you have the fall foliage. The scenery changes with the seasons, and that’s wonderful.

Moreover, all of this is within a short distance.

Exactly. I believe that’s what contributes to Setoda’s beauty and its delicious agricultural products. So even in the countryside, there’s always something to see and do, so it never gets boring.

There really are many different communities here. There are people who love music, those who appreciate art, many travelers, and also a lot of newcomers. I think it simply appears that way because there are many opportunities to interact with people in daily life.

Additionally, there are many quirky and standout individuals here. I guess I shouldn’t be the one saying that about myself though.

I moved to Setoda from Osaka 11 years ago, and I like to think of myself as one of the early adopters of relocation (laughs). Being a port town, I feel like there’s a fundamental culture of accepting external influences. For example, it’s common to see people casually striking up conversations with travelers. Many people here are able to maintain a comfortable distance, creating broad yet shallow connections in a good way.

Additionally, in a good way, people here tend to be indifferent to others. When someone starts something new, of course, being a small community, rumors spread, but there are few who criticize. This indifference creates a sense of comfort, and there’s also a feeling of being warmly watched over. Compared to other places, I feel that this environment makes it easier to take on new challenges.

Yeah, usually in the countryside, it’s mostly farmers or certain types of jobs and industries. But this area is a bit unique. There’s shipbuilding, agriculture, regular jobs, and creative work like what you guys do. So, there are a lot of different communities, and it’s probably easier to find a place where you fit in.

It’s like 9 to 1, with 9 being work. Actually, there’s not much of a boundary between work and private life. And that 1 is more family time than personal time.

For me, it’s more like 7 to 3. The Onomichi area seems to have a lot of sole proprietors like us. So, when I need to ask for help with work, I don’t go to a company; instead, I directly contact people I know, like “Suga the Lemon Guy” or “Matsuzaki the Web Marketing Guy.” So, it’s always work but also personal. The on and off blend nicely together.

It’s like they’re living for their days off.

The kind of environment that people living in cities seek for their leisure time is part of our everyday life and work. During work commutes, we can notice and appreciate things like “Oh, the weather is nice today.” These small moments are part of our daily routine. Because we’re not cramming our schedules, even if we’re working 9 to 1, it doesn’t become stressful.

That’s why I think saunas have become so popular. People are always tense, so they seek ways to relax. I think that’s what they mean by “totonou” (feeling aligned and refreshed), and many people were subconsciously craving that. Good ideas often come when you relax.

I think it’s about having a place where you feel you belong. Whether it’s an izakaya, a bar, or helping out on a farm, if there’s a place where people say “Glad to see you,” it becomes your place. It could even be through work, like with Kobayashi-kun and his hotel business. Having a place where you belong could be the reason to visit Onomichi.

The charm of the Onomichi area is that it’s compact and easy to meet people. There are also a lot of helpful people like us who enjoy connecting others. As long as you have clear interests, I think you’ll naturally find a place where you belong. I hope you’ll visit multiple times to find such a place.