Michikusa Expert
Michikusa Master FAQ
- What got you hooked on this genre?
Due to the nature of my work, I often had to research local foods and chains. Someone once said, "To know is to love," and I think that's exactly right.
- What is a point that most people don't notice, but you find interesting?
Sometimes, "unexpected shops are local chains."
For example, people in Tokyo don't really know that Hidakaya or Fuji Soba are local chains. There are also shops like the Hokuriku-born "The World's 2nd Best Freshly Baked Melon-pan Ice Cream," which once became a nationwide chain but has now returned to being a local chain.
- Actually, I am also a ○○ enthusiast
I love cup noodles, and I also love local cup noodles. I secretly enjoy spending time finding unique local cup noodles at supermarkets while traveling, observing the distribution of "Kin-chan Noodle," or discovering regional limited editions from major companies like Toyo Suisan.
- What is your "unforgettable travel destination" and why?
It's nearby, but it's "Mount Tsukuba." I remember when I was a first-year high school student, I set off for Mount Tsukuba from home on a city bike with no gears.
Back in 1997, there were so many "Hot Spar" convenience stores in Ibaraki that I was truly amazed. Thinking back, it was a good era before convenience stores were "heavily consolidated" into the big three chains.
- Is there anything you always bring with you when you travel?
My camera. It's essential for capturing places and food more beautifully and preserving memories. For work, I use a medium format camera, which has an unusually large sensor size that affects image quality. For everyday use, I carry a compact camera with a smaller APS-C sensor.
