The Story Behind the Café
The café was designed and built by Rik ita Shima, who spent his younger years helping his family with farming before embarking on a journey around Japan that lasted several years. During his travels, he visited Daibosatsu Pass in Yamanashi Prefecture and was deeply moved by its magnificent mountain scenery. After returning to his hometown in Tokushima, he dreamed of creating an impressive structure of his own.
Shima was also passionate about coffee and wanted to establish a café in Tokushima with a grand name inspired by places such as Daibosatsu Pass and the Great Wall of China. His ambition eventually took shape in the extraordinary building now known as Daibosatsu Toge.
A Remarkable Self-Built Brick Structure
Making the Bricks by Hand
Shima set out to build the café himself, from producing the bricks to constructing the building. Work began in 1966, but nearby brick factories did not supply bricks to individual customers. Rather than abandon his plans, Shima built a kiln on the hillside behind the site and began firing bricks himself.
Over time, he made and laid approximately 100,000 bricks by hand, gradually turning his ambitious vision into a remarkable architectural creation. After five years of work, the café finally opened on October 10, 1971.
Even then, the project was far from finished. Shima continued adding to and modifying the structure, and construction has remained an ongoing process while the café continues to welcome customers. This unfinished quality is an essential part of its character, reflecting a dream that continues to evolve rather than a building completed according to a fixed plan.
Architecture Filled with Personal Touches
Although brick is the dominant material, wood also plays an important role in the interior. Shima made the tables and chairs himself, carving and assembling them from solid pieces of timber. These handmade furnishings give the café a distinctive atmosphere and reveal the care invested in even its smallest details.
The entrance door is another unusual feature, made from a single solid slab of stone. It was part of the design Shima had imagined from the beginning. Outside, a metal sign bearing the name “Daibosatsu Toge” adds another personal touch, having also been crafted by hand.
Exploring the Café’s Unusual Layout
Stairs, a Vehicle Ramp, and a Brick Courtyard
The café entrance is located on the building’s second level. Visitors can reach it by climbing the brick staircase or by using a ramp designed for vehicles. The parking area is situated in an inner courtyard on the same level, where the ground is also covered with bricks.
This unusual arrangement contributes to the feeling of entering a self-contained world built from the owner’s imagination. The architecture itself is an attraction, inviting visitors to look closely at the materials, shapes, and details that distinguish the café from an ordinary commercial building.
A Stone Garden in Progress
The rooftop area connects with the hillside behind the building, where a stone garden is being developed. This evolving landscape adds another dimension to the site, allowing visitors to appreciate the relationship between the handmade structure and its natural surroundings.
Rik ita Shima’s Enduring Vision
At the heart of Daibosatsu Toge is Shima’s determination to recreate, through his own work, the grandeur of the natural landscapes he encountered while traveling around Japan in his twenties. His vision has shaped every stage of the project, from the handmade bricks to the furniture and unusual architectural features.
Rather than treating the café as a finished work, Shima has continued to refine and expand it over the years. The combination of self-built architecture, handcrafted interiors, and a constantly developing design makes Daibosatsu Toge an exceptionally personal creation, blurring the boundaries between a café, an architectural experiment, and a work of art.
A Destination for Architecture Lovers and Curious Travelers
Daibosatsu Toge has attracted attention far beyond its role as a café. Visitors come to see the remarkable brick exterior, discover the story behind its construction, and appreciate the owner’s dedication to his ambitious project. Its handmade furniture and distinctive structural details offer plenty to interest those who enjoy unusual buildings and places with a compelling personal history.
The café also serves coffee and light meals, giving visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the setting. The experience combines the simple pleasure of a café visit with the opportunity to explore one of Tokushima’s most unusual architectural landmarks.
Access to Daibosatsu Toge
The café is located in Fukui-cho, Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture, approximately one hour by car from central Tokushima City. Surrounded by a relatively rural landscape, it can be included in a driving itinerary exploring the southern part of the prefecture. Visitors can combine a stop here with other local attractions and walks in the surrounding natural areas.
Experience a Dream Built Brick by Brick
Daibosatsu Toge is a memorable example of what can happen when imagination and persistence become a lifelong project. Built by Rik ita Shima with approximately 100,000 handmade bricks, this extraordinary café offers much more than coffee and light refreshments. Its unusual architecture, handcrafted furnishings, and ever-changing design invite visitors to experience a place that continues to grow from one man’s dream.