How Serving Others Became Something Personal

December 24, 2024

Riku Cafe is a small community cafe in Rikuzentakata, opened after the 2011 disaster as a space where locals could gather, support one another, and slowly rebuild both physically and emotionally. It’s not just a place to eat but also a space for connection.

Tetsuko Koizumi, one of the cooks at the café, explained how much her life has changed since joining the team. “Before the disaster, I was self-employed, living in a small world with limited relationships. I was more focused on my own work and daily routine,” she said. “But after joining the Riku Cafe team, I met so many new people, people I would have never crossed paths with otherwise. These new connections have become a significant part of my life.”

Atsuko Unoura, a board member at the café, shared a similar reflection. “I didn’t really know if I was contributing to others or whether my actions made a positive impact on the people around me,” she said. But that changed when she helped start Riku Cafe. “As I continued to give, I realized that I was also receiving something in return—a type of happiness that I never experienced from personal achievements.”

She spoke about the kind of fulfillment that comes from human connection, not just responsibility. “The board director once said that even as a doctor helping patients, he didn’t necessarily feel happiness. He knew that he was helping others, but it didn't always translate to a personal sense of joy. It wasn’t until he got involved with Riku Cafe that his sense of fulfillment increased. It was no longer about professional duty—it became about meaningful human connections.”

Sakiko Saito, also a cook at the café, described a more personal transformation. “Before coming here, I never worked in a job that involves interacting with others. My work before was mostly independent,” she said. “But after starting to work here, I met different kinds of people. Each conversation, shared moment made me see things from a new perspective.”

What stood out to her most were the small, everyday interactions. “Even small things, like hearing someone say ‘thank you’ or ‘that was delicious,’ made me so happy. Rather than feeling like I’m doing something for others, I find myself wanting to come here for my own happiness.”

For each of them, Riku Cafe became more than a workplace. It became a reminder that through connection, care, and shared moments, a deep meaning can grow, even after unimaginable loss.