Full Breakdown
From Flight Attendant to Rural Bakery Owner: The Kamijyoan Story
5/2/2026, 4:15:59 AM
Background and Motivation
After university, Onoda worked in Dubai and later in Tokyo’s public-relations sector, organizing media tours to regional destinations. The COVID-19 pandemic forced remote work from a high-rent Tokyo apartment, prompting her to seek a quieter lifestyle and to apply her English skills in a new context.
Key Figures and Supporting Bodies
The bakery is run by co-owner and head baker Rei Onoda and her husband, a registered farmer. Support came from local villagers, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and municipal, prefectural and national authorities that granted permits.
Project Timeline
2018-2020: cabin-crew and PR work. 2021: bought house for ¥8.5 million. 2021-2024: three-year renovation with preservation approvals. 2024: opened bakery. Mid-2025: tourist visits rose after Instagram and Google Maps exposure.
Financial and Operational Overview
Renovation cost ¥50 million, financed by savings, loans and ¥29 million in government grants for regional development and cultural preservation. The 6-acre farm required a registered farmer, a role taken by Onoda’s husband.
Community Impact
The bakery attracts locals and tourists; after six months, visitors arrived via social-media. Using local fruit for a peach beer and hosting events supports the village economy and cultural-preservation goals.
Official Process and Government Support
Renovation needed city, prefectural and national approvals, overseen by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Framing the project as a café and heritage preservation secured ¥29 million in grants for regional development.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I still use what I learned as a cabin crew member Being a cabin crew member taught me how to work efficiently in a small space and think about the customer experience.” — Rei Onoda, Co-owner, Kamijyoan Bakery
- “Balancing the bakery and motherhood has been challenging.” — Rei Onoda
- “Starting a business in a rural area takes more time than you expect.” — Rei Onoda
- “We received 29 million Japanese yen in grants for regional development and cultural preservation by positioning the project as both a café and a means to preserve a historic property.” — Rei Onoda
Future Plans
Kamijyoan will expand fruit-based drinks, boost social-media outreach, and deepen its role in village cultural life as the Onoda family settles permanently.
