Sustainable Stories

OMOYA 545 is located on the outskirts of Okayama City surrounded by idyllic mountains and overlooking a wide expanse of rice fields. Housed in the refurbished 150-year-old Shoya (village headman's) mansion, the Nakazotos built a dedicated commercial kitchen for allergen-free treats, a café, and overnight stay accommodation facilities.

The owners, Shinichi Nakazato and Sanae Nakata, moved here from Tokyo in 2018. Originally living in the heart of Tokyo, Shinichi worked as an IT engineer and Sanae as a culinary researcher and a master medicinal herbalist. They immersed themselves in their work and lead fulfilling lives. However, Shinichi always had a desire to relocate. He had been touring prospective sites across the country for nearly a decade. When he saw the old farmhouse in the Mitsu Gojou district of Okayama, he fell in love with it and the surrounding areas.

They purchased the property in 2017 and moved in with their one-year-old daughter the following spring. By the time they started living there, they were already well-known in the community despite having no previous connection to the area.

"When someone new moves into the village, they are definitely going to attract attention. So we decided to actively engage with the community from the start." Sanae says with a smile. "Every time we came to Gojou to prepare for the move, we went from house to house greeting everyone and learning various aspects of the area."

While the Nakazatos were exploring ways to produce local specialties by making the most out of this region's resources, they discovered the need for allergen-free baked goods. So it became OMOYA 545's focus to create the bakery café for making allergen-free treats without the use of seven major allergens such as eggs, milk, wheat, and nuts. It has been their motivation from the beginning and this is how it all started.

It began when Sanae realized during her research of the local resources that residents all agreed that the best product of this region should be made with rice. The Gojou area has long been known for its local rice (Gojou-mai). Sanae was brainstorming ideas to create products made of rice when a rice flour manufacturer in Okayama prefecture sought her consultation. Visiting the factory became a significant catalyst for product development.

The flour producer informed Sanae about a kindergarten having trouble finding a vendor for allergen-free snacks. The Nakazatos visited the kindergarten shortly and spoke with the teachers.

The principal earnestly asked the couple, "Is there a way for all the kindergarten children to eat the same thing, at least on special occasions like birthday parties?" Sanae recalled. "It's very sad for children with allergies to sit at a separate table and eat something different while everyone else is having the same cake," she continued. "Given the life-threatening nature of allergies, I sympathized with the weight of responsibility on the teachers who have to deal with this issue." As such, the Nakazatos were determined to find the solution.

To avoid contamination, it is recommended to install separate equipment for allergen-free products and wheat/egg products. Due to this requirement, existing confectionery factories could not handle this task. Since the Nakazatos were still in the planning stage of their business, they decided to tackle this challenge by building an allergen-free commercial kitchen. What the couple had been dreaming of is finally coming together at OMOYA 545.

“I was ready for the challenge, but the first task is overcoming my apprehension about success,” chuckled Sanae. She went through trials and errors, making countless samples. The kindergarten teachers, her husband Shinichi, and the couple’s young daughter helped Sanae as designated taste testers, evaluating numerous samples.

Today, Sanae is fully responsible for formulating recipes with requirements, and catering original treats and desserts to multiple childcare facilities. Children and teachers safely enjoy allergen-free, delicious, and visually pleasing items with seasonal themes.

Building a place for the community to come together is another pillar of the En-tsumu Project. In November 2020, OMOYA 545 opened its door during the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic. Not to mention, all menu items are free from allergens.


The café, a renovated old farmhouse, is the fruit of the community’s helping hands. The neighbors participated in the renovation work. They enjoyed themselves while sweating over tasks such as wall painting and bricklaying. Most staff members are local moms who share the café’s core philosophy.
When the annual summer festival at the local shrine was canceled due to the pandemic, the café organized a community festival as an alternative. The café also celebrated its 1st and 2nd-anniversary events with the traditional lion dance performed by the locals. Various community events continue to take place at the café, creating opportunities for adults and children to revel and radiate joy.

“After working in the IT industry for a long time, I am more convinced that efficiency in data processing is the top priority, even in entertainment, such as movies and music,” reflects Shinichi, Sanae's supportive husband. "But amidst the advancement of technology, I strongly believe that the experience of sharing tastes with someone remains timeless and real no matter how much the world progresses."
Sahae chimes in, "To share a good time tasting delicious food with the community is truly a fantastic moment. We are all committed to making these moments continue."

The couple's commitment to fostering communities, addressing societal issues, and creating delicious allergen-free foods resonates deeply with our values. Nagase Viita is proud to be part of OMOYA 545’s journey and success in the future by supplying safe and reliable products.