Maya Hamaji: Deciding to Open a Cafe at Age 25

2024/05/21

I currently run a cafe in Kunitachi, Tokyo, specializing in Vietnamese "banh mi" sandwiches. With the theme of "a little healing for the heart and body," our shop opened in September 2023. We now welcome not only local residents but also customers from afar seeking our original "Japanese-style banh mi." Surrounded by warm customers and reliable staff, I spend my days continuing to realize my dreams.

After graduating from the Faculty of Economics in 2021, I joined a foreign consulting firm as a new graduate. I worked with the sole focus of "wanting to be the foundation for realizing someone else's dreams," but I often felt crushed by my own helplessness and inability to keep up with those around me. As a result, I took a leave of absence in the summer of my second year due to poor health. While I was wondering what to do next, I was struck by a book I encountered in a bookstore.

"Life is Not Long Enough to Live in Endurance." This is a book by Dr. Yusuke Suzuki, a physician and psychosomatic medicine specialist.

Originally, I had a strong sense of "how I ought to be," and I lived a life where I tended to turn away from what I truly wanted to do. Although I devoted myself to things I liked to some extent, I had never experienced trying to achieve something by staking my life or lifestyle on it. In a sense, I was trying to live cleverly.

"If life isn't long enough to live in endurance, then I'll do what I love now!" With that thought, I decided to open a cafe, which had been my dream for retirement. I had always thought I wanted to do it "someday," but I didn't know if "someday" would ever truly come. I decided that now was the time to bring forward my retirement dream and stake my life on making it a reality.

My only experience in the food and beverage industry was a part-time job during my student days. With the cooperation of many people around me, I opened the shop after a four-month preparation period. Currently, while focusing on banh mi that provides plenty of nutrition for the body, I also hold events like readings and live music performances under the concept of "nutritional supplement for the heart." My desire to "be a foundation that supports someone's dreams" has not changed since my days as a corporate employee, and I am finding ways to provide a stage where many artists can shine.

Living the story of my own life without endurance. I hope my choice will help encourage someone else's dream.