Case Study
- Dorayaki Machine
- Dorayaki
AWAJISHIMA NISHIKAIGAN Co., Ltd.
Located on the central west coast of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, Satomi Takada is the fourth-generation president of Takada Liquor Store (Takata-ya Co., Ltd.), a business with a history spanning over 120 years. In 2015, he founded the West Coast Gateway Consideration Group in collaboration with local farmers, fishers, and shopkeepers, with the aim of revitalizing the region amid an aging population.
As part of this initiative, he established AWAJISHIMA NISHIKAIGAN Co., Ltd. to serve as a hub for promoting local industry and community ties. He also opened Hokudan Yubae no Eki Shantoko Market, a specialty product center that showcases regional goods and culture.
One of their standout products is Senmusui, known as a symbol of Awaji Island’s recovery from the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Each year, a local sake fan group called the Awaji Sake Detectives, led by President Takada, cultivates sake rice using a native island variety. The rice is brewed into original local sake at Sennenichi Sake Brewery, located on the island.
President Takada has also hosted large-scale sake tasting events featuring more than a dozen breweries from across Japan, as well as hands-on rice planting experiences for elementary school students and guided sake brewery tours.
He further expanded the business with the opening of a souvenir shop called Yamataka, where he demonstrates and sells Takosugatayaki—a whole octopus pressed and grilled, a beloved local delicacy. At Shantoko Market, he developed Chipola, a waffle-like confection shaped like an onion, and introduced a dorayaki machine to prepare and sell freshly made treats on-site.
In the sweets category, the market also offers gelato made from the same recipe used by a long-established Western confectionery shop on the island. Even after launch, President Takada continues to collaborate with members of the West Coast Gateway Consideration Group, with plans to open a café or restaurant on the second floor in 2026—further enhancing the market’s appeal.
His vision is to treasure even the smallest community gatherings, nurture human connections, and make Shantoko Market a welcoming and relaxing place for everyone in the local area.
Location：852-1 Ikuha, Awaji-shi, Hyogo-ken
Publication：MASDAC news August issue in 2025
Dorayaki Machine（SDR-SGA）
To coincide with the launch of Chipola, an original confection developed by Hokudan Yubae no Eki Shantoko Market, a MASDAC Dorayaki Machine was installed in March 2025—featuring a custom mold shaped like an onion, a well-known specialty of Awaji Island. The machine is placed in a glass-walled kitchen, allowing customers to view the production process from both inside and outside the store. The mold’s design includes fine lines that mimic onion skin, and its detailed indentations require careful temperature control and precise baking times. Thanks to MASDAC’s reliable technology, even a part-time staff member can now manage the entire process with ease. Looking ahead, they plan to expand the product line by filling the dorayaki with jams made from locally grown fruits. With the goal of offering live demonstrations (production) twice a day, they aim to make Chipola a beloved local specialty.
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Chipola, a soft, baked pastry filled with red bean paste
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Chipola in production
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Waffle mold designed in the shape of an onion
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Branding
Reference
MASDAC NEWS trial version
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