Global Grandpa Welcomes You at an Old House. Islander Interviews – Ideal for Your Trip Home

An old house and an old man on an island that somehow draws people from all over the world. There is a relaxing island time.

I'm from Ogijima and have lived in Takamatsu ever since I started working there, but I came back when I retired. This is my parents' house, and it had been vacant for more than a decade, but I opened it up to the public so that I could entertain tourists here.
Neko Poke House is located about a 5-minute walk from Otogi Port. Many people from all over the world come to meet Toyoji, its manager.
He says, "There are a lot of cats on the island, so at first I was just entertaining cat-loving tourists. We let them come in freely and play with the cats in our garden. Then I found out that Ogijima was a sacred place for the game "Samapoke," so I started entertaining people who came to the island on pilgrimages, and gradually more and more people started coming.

A few years ago, when there were not as many restaurants on the island as there are now. Toyoya would serve udon noodles and other dishes to those who were in need of a place to eat. In fact, Shimarebi member Hina-san was one of the people who met Toyoyaji that way.
She says, "It was the time of the Corona earthquake and all the restaurants were closed, so I came to the island without knowing that. When I was in trouble, Toyo asked me, 'Do you want some somen noodles? I was in trouble, and Toyoya asked me if I wanted some somen noodles. That was my first encounter with Toyoya. I think Toyokeya has forgotten about it because it was part of his daily routine, but the hospitality I received left a lasting impression on me. I think there are many people in the world who think, "I wish I could see that old man again," or "The somen noodles I had that time were delicious.
There is a notebook in the Neko Poke House where many messages from visitors are written. Not only Japanese, but also people from China, Korea, Taiwan, England, Germany, Australia...people from all over the world have come to this old house in Ogijima.
Many people come from all over the world, and I often see travelers who happen to meet here happily chatting with each other. Of course there are people who come here for sightseeing, but there are also people who are a little tired and just want to come to the island. It seems that when such people come here and talk with strangers, they sometimes feel a little lighter.

If you have come all the way to the island, I want you to enjoy a relaxing time on the island, not just to go sightseeing in a hurry. I think this will lead to the revitalization of Ogijima," said Toyo, and we asked him about his favorite spots on Ogijima.
I think Ogijima Lighthouse is the best place. It's quiet and the scenery is beautiful, so I think you can relax there. It is also a sacred place for summer poke, and the lighthouse itself is one of only two lighthouses in Japan made of unpainted stone, which is very rare. Also, since large ships pass by on the sea in front of the lighthouse, many people who love boats come here. I think it is a place where people from all walks of life can enjoy themselves. I recommend watching the sunset from the lighthouse.

Ogijima is known for its beautiful sunsets, but Toyoya says the sunrise is also beautiful.
If you want to see the sunrise, take the coastal path on the east side of the island. The sun rises slowly, and the beautiful Yashima Island is right in front of you. I want people to take their time and enjoy the time that can only be experienced on the island. I would be happy if you could use Neko Poke House as a base for that.