Shinji san is the kind of person who makes you slow down and feel looked after.
At Hemp Heart, known as Magokoro in Japanese, he cooks with purpose, talks about hemp with calm conviction, and greets travelers in several languages. His story moves from years abroad to healing work in Tokyo, then to a life in Shikoku where food, community, and learning come together.

Meet Shinji san and discover the ideas behind Hemp Heart, a place where visitors linger, conversations begin, and Kotohira feels welcoming long after you finish your tea.

Who is Shinji san and what is his story?

Shinji san’s path to Kotohira began with curiosity and movement. In his twenties he spent long periods in South America, especially in Colombia, where he learned how to care for people and help them feel better. Those experiences shaped his view of food, touch, and everyday wellbeing.

Back in Japan he trained in bodywork and practiced massage and oil treatments in Tokyo for three years. The work was meaningful, yet the pace of the city felt too fast. He began looking for a place outside Tokyo to open something of his own.

From a clinic to a restaurant

He found a space facing the ocean. Standing there he realized the spot called for a restaurant rather than a clinic. He created Hemp Heart to serve food that supports both body and mind. That was 25 years ago, when vegetarian, vegan, and organic cooking were still rare in Japan. As he cooked, he kept learning about hemp as a nutritious ingredient and as a plant with many uses.

Years later his path turned toward Shikoku. He already knew about the Kotohira area through his girlfriend, who had lived there. The town’s scale, the rhythm of daily encounters, and the openness to new ideas convinced him to build the next chapter of Hemp Heart in Kotohira.

Hemp Heart in Kotohira

Hemp Heart is a compact, warm restaurant where everything is prepared by Shinji san himself. He sources local fruits and vegetables, cooks with organic ingredients, and seasons with spices and herbs that build layered aromas. Plates arrive balanced and vibrant, the kind of dishes that feel good for the body and read like perfume on the table.

The menu is plant forward with always available vegetarian and vegan options, plus a small selection of seafood. Many items can be prepared fully vegan on request. Offerings change with the seasons. You might find a nourishing soup on cold days, grain and vegetable plates with bright condiments, and small sweets designed to pair with tea or coffee.

Concerts at Hemp Heart

The restaurant also hosts small events. There is music on some weekends, occasional talks, and workshops. Step inside at noon and you will see a mix of regulars and people passing through Kotohira. Step inside in the evening and conversation often stretches across tables. If you’re lucky, you may even see Shinji san joining the group with is drum or playing with is own band. Don’t hesitate to join him for some music sessions!

Magokoro, the message behind the menu

The name Hemp Heart reflects both a plant and a mindset. In Japan hemp has a long cultural history that many people have forgotten. As a material it can be used for fabric and rope. As a food it brings protein and gentle flavor. Hemp seed oil can be used in cooking and for massage. Across Europe and elsewhere, builders even experiment with hemp based materials for houses.

Shinji san is passionate about hemp and can talk at length about it. If you want to learn more, sit at the bar in front of the kitchen and ask!

Shinji san & travelers

Kotohira receives many visitors who come for the shrine. Increasingly it also welcomes digital nomads who stay at Kotori coworking and hostel. Shinji san enjoys this change. Long stays bring new energy to a small town. People begin to shop locally, try events, and return with friends.

Kotori, a base for digital nomad

Kotori coworking and hostel is, in his words, a needed base. It gives travelers and digital nomads a place to land, meet locals, and feel welcome. It also gives locals a doorway to meet travelers, exchange ideas, and practice languages. For Shinji san, this kind of shared space is the most important part of making a small town open.

Why meeting people matters to him

Shinji san likes the exchange that happens when people from different places sit at one table. He sees it as learning in both directions. Locals meet visitors and try new food. Visitors meet locals and discover how daily life flows in Kotohira. He is not trying to be a guide. He is building a room where people feel safe to talk, laugh, and plan their next walk.

“To me, Japanese people or foreigners, it is the same. We are all human beings, and I am always open to new people and connections“. — Shinji san.

He also believes Kotohira understands this kind of openness. It is a small city, yet it has always been a gateway where pilgrims, traders, and friends meet. Today the same spirit appears in simple acts. He sees Kotori as the connector that turns these everyday encounters into a habit for the town.

Conclusion

Hemp Heart is more than a restaurant. It is Shinji san’s way of turning values into daily practice. Food that is careful and thoughtful. A message about hemp that links tradition with new uses. An open door for travelers who want to stay longer and feel part of the town.

If you are a digital nomad in Kotohira, make Hemp Heart one of your first stops. Eat slowly, ask a question, and let the conversation lead you. Come back, and you will become friends with Shinji san.

FAQ – Shinji san & Hemp Heart

Who is Shinji san?

He is the owner of Hemp Heart, also called Magokoro, in Kotohira. His path includes time in Colombia learning how to help people feel better, three years of massage work in Tokyo, and the creation of the first Hemp Heart 25 years ago at an oceanfront location.

What is Hemp Heart?

A plant forward restaurant in Kotohira where everything is homemade by Shinji san using organic, locally sourced fruits and vegetables. The menu always includes vegetarian and vegan dishes, and there is also a small selection of seafood.

Why hemp?

Hemp has deep roots in Japan and many practical uses, from food and oil to textiles. At Hemp Heart it represents nourishment, low waste, and respect for natural materials.

Does Shinji san speak English?

Yes, and he can also switch to basic Spanish or Portuguese when needed.

Can I work from Hemp Heart?

Yes, Shinji san welcome digital nomad especially when the restaurant is not too packed. Check more information about places to work from in Kotohira.

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