A little further into Kamiyama
"Cafe Brompton Depo" in Valley of the Wind

Hello! This is Sawada from the WS Department (Webmaster Support Department).

Today I'd like to introduce you to my favorite shop in Kamiyama Town, Cafe Brompton Depo (hereinafter referred to as Cafe Brompton)!

The location is Nakatsu, Kamibun, Kamiyama Town.
Our shop is located a little further into the mountains in Kamiyama Town, close to the river that receives the Jinzu Falls and the mountain ranges. (There are shops even further back, so I think of it as "a little further" in the mountains.)

It is about a 15-minute drive from Monosus Kamiyama satellite office.
After turning off National Route 438, you will have to go through some narrow mountain roads to get there, but the views will soon open up and you will arrive at a place with beautiful valley views.

Kamiyama Town Kamibun Nakatsu

The exterior of Cafe Brompton has a red roof and a red door.
A round terrace seat with wooden window frames that gets plenty of sunlight.
This is a shop with a strong presence that suddenly appears in a landscape where many old houses still remain.
For townsfolk who are heading deep into the mountains for the first time, this may be an easy place to say "Excuse me." (In fact, it seems that this place also serves as the contact point for the accommodations and auto camping sites in the area.)
From when the weather gets warmer until the beginning of autumn, a variety of outdoor events are held on the handmade wooden deck on the opposite side of the river, including movie screenings with sleeping bags and yoga workshops.

A cafe that suggests cycling around Kamiyama!

Brompton bicycles, a British company , are displayed in front of the store.

As the name suggests, Cafe Brompton is a shop where you can enjoy cycling as well as coffee.
You can rent a bicycle for about 200,000 yen! (Includes a local guide!)

The only public transportation to get to Kamiyama is by bus, but most visitors travel by car on the roads of Kamiyama, so if you cycle you can experience the richness of nature up close, with the mountainsides, flowing rivers, and vast rice terraces.

Along the way, you will find many shops and restaurants opened by immigrants, so if you visit and talk to them, I'm sure you will find your own favorite.

The recommended cycling course is about 30km long and goes like this:

Departing from Cafe Brompton! ~ Eda rice terraces ~ Red truss bridge ~ Myo-oji weeping cherry blossoms ~ Konnyaku bridge ~ Chino Farm ~ Yorii Shopping Street ~ Sensui Bridge ~ Chichicho and Okubo rice terraces ~ Kamiyama Onsen ~ Kamiyama Roadside Station

This is my second year in Kamiyama, and I've been to a lot of great cherry blossom spots that aren't listed in guidebooks.
*There are still many discoveries to be made throughout the year, including ice falls. (Although it's not on the course, it's highly recommended.)
*When the waterfall freezes over, it is dangerous to go by car. You can walk there from Cafe Brompton, so please stop by!

In spring, the tour passes through spectacular weeping cherry blossoms and rice terraces filled with rape blossoms!

The river is also nice in summer!

The store manager is Yoshida-kun, a graduate of the second batch of the Kamiyama Monosasu School.

The owner is Mr. Daimon of Daimon Sawmill in Nakatsu. And the manager who is in charge of running the cafe is actually Daisuke Yoshida , who graduated from the second batch of Kamiyama Monosasu Juku. (I was also a graduate of the second batch!) Everyone calls him Dada-san.
Dada came all the way from Tokyo to Kamiyama Monosasu Juku. I was a fellow student and watched him closely until he graduated and moved to Kamiyama with his wife. Even back then, his attitude of blending in and interacting with other immigrants and locals was clearly one of his defining characteristics.

In an unfamiliar place, I think it's often the case that you tend to take a wait-and-see stance, but Dada-san first mixes in and interacts with people. He has an enthusiastic attitude and is always very pleasant to interact with. He told me many stories about the results of his interactions with many people. The Kamiyama I got to know through Dada-san was always very vivid and colorful, and I often thought of it later.
So the things, events, places, and people he recommends all come with their own stories. It's very interesting because he shares things that only Dada could see. It's special to know things through his own "experiences," and you might feel like you've been taught something even better.

Store manager Daisuke Yoshida (right) and his wife Chinatsu

When I had the opportunity to interview Dada in person some time ago, he told me, "I want to make Nakatsu more fun, starting with the places close to home."
"I'm attracted to the people of Nakatsu because they remain tolerant even as they get older and enjoy life in the present. I really relate to that."

There is something special about Dada's enthusiasm for the local people, and I believe his motivation reflects the very character of his character.

And it's not just in his words, it's in his actions too.
Just recently, on April 14th, the "Valley of the Wind Market" planned by Dada was held.

During the day, the event was held outdoors, with food and drink booths from vendors that Dada had connections with, as well as a workshop space for letterpress printing and the like. In the evening, everyone huddled together inside the cafe, drinking in hand, to enjoy the fascinating sounds of Inushiki akaDoggystyle guitarist Mine Seitaro's live album release tour.

A live performance by Inushiki akaDoggystyle guitarist, Seitaro Mine

Fairy Tale Rappa (Circus Bar Crocodile and Rhino) Puppet Show

Having recently moved to the area deep in the mountains of Kamiyama, he now holds an event that draws large numbers of people, and he said he hopes to make it a continuing business.
As the name of the event suggests, there was a strong wind blowing on the day, and people kept gathering, keeping the atmosphere lively right until the end of the evening live performance.

The Mind of Cafe Brompton is made possible by the cooperation of everyone who loves this place.

Inside Cafe Brompton, there are tables and stools handmade by Daimon's father (known as Cafe Dad). All the small details in the shop are also handmade.
I also used Cafe Otosan to make a workbench for my home, and I love how soft and playful it is. Just knowing that it was made by Cafe Otosan makes the table and stool feel many times more comfortable to sit on. The stool fits perfectly on my butt and is very comfortable.

Cafe Otosan's Gallery opened on the day of the Valley of the Wind Market.
Cafe Dad has always loved woodworking. Since Daimon started operating the cafe, he has had more opportunities to meet various people. Dada says that he gradually began to think about opening a gallery because he was increasingly being relied on by others, which gave him energy.
Dada supports Cafe Dad's desire to "give it a try."
I can't really put it into words, but I honestly think it's great and has a great atmosphere.

As I mentioned earlier, "a personality that remains tolerant even as one ages and enjoys life in the present." That mindset.
I too find it very attractive.

Cafe Otosan's gallery. Ribbon cutting ceremony.

Opening the sake barrel with a tiny celebratory barrel!

I learned about the great atmosphere at Cafe Brompton from Dada.
I now believe that at its core is a mixture of the best qualities of all the people who have been involved here.

Someone started out here trying to create a cycling cafe.
Someone built a pleasant wooden deck here in the shade.
This is someone who comes up with ideas to bring people together.
This is where they bake the delicious pizza you can eat.
Here, there are people who work hard to ensure that visitors do not get lost on unfamiliar mountain paths.
People love this place and come to the workshops and events.
This is a place where immigrants come to interact with others.
There are tourists who come here from far away wanting to come here.
This is a place that locals love to visit and relax.

A cafe that is not marketed, with a mix of people of all ages and genders, both inside and out.
I hope that through the hands of many people and many events, it will come together in a perfect way and continue for a long, long time.
Cafe Brompton gives you a special feeling of security. Be sure to drop by and get to know the faces!

Finally, let us introduce the menu of Cafe Brompton.
Cafe Brompton's classic curry!

It's a satisfying curry with lots of large vegetables and meat. I like the rice cooked a little firm!