[April Dream] Why 'Farm' for a Cafe and Salon? Former Teacher's 'Grandma' Aims to Create a 'Second Home' for Children with School Refusal and Postpartum Mothers in Her Later Years

Harmony Nouen LLC (Representative: KEIKO), which operates 'Harmony Cafe & Private Salon' in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, is challenging a dream to create a 'place for multi-generational coexistence' where postpartum mothers facing loneliness, children with school refusal, and the elderly seeking social connection can gather together, inheriting the spirit of the 'farm' that has been protected by their ancestors for generations.

■ The One and Only Reason We Named It 'Farm' Despite Being a Salon

Our company, established in January 2025, operates a cafe and a femcare salon near Kuwana Station, yet our company name is 'Harmony Nouen' (Harmony Farm). This name carries my personal, yet unyielding and earnest desire.

My family home was a farm passed down through generations. While my brother currently manages the land alone, due to changes in health and the tides of the times, we are facing difficulties in maintaining the farmland as we have in the past. However, at an age where I can see my grandchildren, I no longer have the physical strength to take on full-scale agriculture.

"Even if I can't directly cultivate the soil, can I protect the spirit of this 'farm' and connect it to the future in a different way?"

Thinking this led me to establish 'Harmony Cafe & Private Salon,' which heals and nurtures the health of women in the community. Instead of growing vegetables, I aim to nurture the smiles of mothers who are creating the future and the people of the community. This is my way of protecting the 'farm' and my new challenge in the latter half of my life.

■ A 'Salon with Grandma' to Save Lonely Mothers

As I listened to customers' stories at the cafe, I learned that so many mothers are suffering from 'lonely parenting' and 'unspeakable postpartum physical discomfort.'

I want to embrace them wholeheartedly, like a mother or a grandmother, as they push themselves to their limits. With that desire, in March 2026, we renovated the second floor of our establishment and opened a salon where femcare can be done simply by sitting, without the need to change clothes. While mothers take care of their bodies, 'Grandma' looks after the babies on the first floor – a place where they can jump in without worrying about anyone's gaze.

■ My Ultimate Goal: A 'Traditional House x Agriculture' Free School

However, my dream does not end here. With over 20 years of experience as a former teacher involved in educational support for children with school refusal and delinquency in the local community, I have a unique perspective.

Currently, while the number of children refusing school continues to increase, there is a severe lack of 'places other than school' where they can feel safe. That is precisely why my ultimate dream is to utilize the 'traditional house and farmland in Kamifukaya,' which my brother has protected, to create a multi-generational exchange hub that combines an agriculture experience-based free school and a community salon for the elderly.

Children who refuse school can reconnect with their hearts by touching the soil, and active elderly individuals can play a role as supervisors. Creating such a 'second home for multi-generational coexistence' is the culmination of my life's work. There are many hurdles to overcome, such as funding and legal regulations in urban planning zones, but I am determined to make it happen.

"No matter how old you are, people can dream and become a place for someone."

By showing our active challenges as seniors, we will spread a warm circle of hope from Kuwana to all over Japan.

'April Dream' is a project by PR TIMES where companies share their dreams for the future on April 1st. We are serious about making this dream a reality.

■ Store Overview

Store Name: Harmony Cafe

Location: 3-16-1 Hisamatsu-cho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture (5 minutes walk from Kuwana Station)

Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (2nd floor esthetics is by reservation only)

Closed: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays
Official HP: https://kuwana-harmony.com/