Hikarigaoka was a farming community until 1943 when the Japan military decided to put an airforce base there. They took over the area where the mall, park, and all the large buildings around the mall are today except for one house that is in the park today as they did not need it. In 1945, the USAF took over, called it Grant Heights and started one of the first English schools in Japan, Narimasu Tokyo American High School. They allowed the house owners to stay even though they were not American. In 1973, the USAF returned the area to the Japanese government who between 1983 - 1991 developed the area as a large planned community with over 11,000 units, large mall with retail and other services, and a park.
Sawako and I were wandering around the Hikarigaoka area when we came to a small street lined with homes. Some of the homes had signs on their doors saying they were also restaurants so we stopped in one for lunch and learned a lot about Hikarigaoka history from the 86 year old lady who has run the place for over 50 years. Basically before Hikarigaoka was developed, her street was the main shopping street for the area. It had all kinds of businesses that served the local community. She moved her restaurant into her house when business slowed down. She does not want to stop as her primary customers are single people in their 80's who come in each day for lunch and dinner.
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| Restaurant in a house with broccoli in the front planter. |
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| Owner doing paperwork while we eat |
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| Shirasu Rice Bowl |
I am loving learning about the local area and people, and yes, the food was very good.
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