ON THE ROAD: PROFILES
Mizuho Takaba
Niimi, Japan
Mizuho runs a coffee shop and dance studio in Niimi. It is called Loyce.
“I was born in Niimi, but my father was transferred to Tokyo when I was 12 years old, so I lived there till I was 25. When my grandmother died, my grandfather was alone. I was worried and wanted to take care of him, so I moved back to Niimi with my husband. In Japan, most women change their name when they get married. But I kept mine, and my husband actually took my last name, Takaba.”
“I used to practice dance at a studio in Niimi, before it turned into a library two years ago called Manabi Hiroba. When I couldn’t find a place to practice anymore, I thought about creating a practice space that was earthquake proof, sound proof, and had parking. Alongside the dance studio, I made the coffee space to serve the people in Niimi. It’s not common here to have any public spaces with Wi-Fi or power outlets, so I hoped this space would add to it. Tokyo has so many of coffee shops! I wanted one here for students. The girls from the nursing college nearby like coming here for drinks and churros.”
“The students I teach dancing to range from the small age of five to the age of a high-schooler. I employ some teachers here alongside myself, but I also teach a dance class every day, usually to kids that are in grades two, three and four. They are so cute!”
“Besides running a coffee shop and being a dancer, I am also an artist. I made some angel wings out of the special washi paper that is created at a mill in Niimi. The wings are now at display at the washi paper factory here. I like to sketch in my free time, too.”
“Usually, I work on projects right in the moment. If I’m inspired, I get to it. I got the idea of opening Loyce in May 2016, and the construction was complete by December 2016. I knew I wanted it done by New Year’s Day, so I worked backwards and got everything taken care of. We had our grand opening on January 1, 2017.”
“I like that you can do whatever you want here in Niimi, There are so many people in Tokyo, but Niimi is more laid-back. I really enjoy running the café and dance studio here. I will probably settle down and stay in Niimi when I am older, but if I can, I’d like to travel in the future, and maybe see and experience America one day.”