Ke-ya Land boasts (probably) the largest selection of penny candies in the Enshu region, making it a true paradise for kids! The lively shop is filled with the sounds of children's voices as they marvel at the rows upon rows of sweets. But there's also a secret side – a retro café where you can enjoy organic coffee, hojicha lattes, and waffles. Originally, Ke-ya planned to dedicate about half the space to the café, but now penny candies take up two-thirds of the shop. After school, it's always bustling with children.

Keiko Suzuki, affectionately known as 'Ke-ya,' runs Ke-ya Land single-handedly. She's raised three children and walked what she calls an 'ordinary path' – becoming an office worker, getting married, raising kids, and working part-time locally. But her life's adventure began when her children became independent at the age of 55. 'If I don't do it now, I'll regret it!' she thought, inspired by her grandfather's toy shop, which she had admired as a child.

Ke-ya was saddened by the decline of toy and penny candy stores in her town. Through a connection, she started a small café in a corner of a motorcycle shop. Initially, she only offered drinks and a small selection of penny candies, but it quickly became a popular gathering place for children, where they could snack and do their homework without any formal advertising. After three years there, she began searching for a vacant storefront in the shopping district. Again, a connection led to a smooth transition, and with the help of the Local Revitalization Corps and Mori Machi Renovation, she was able to open in her current location.

'Everything was about timing, and I wouldn't be here without everyone's help,' Ke-ya says. In June 2025, Ke-ya Land celebrated its 5th anniversary. What kind of person is 'Ke-ya,' the owner of Ke-ya Land, who visits candy wholesalers every week just to see the happy faces of children? Be sure to watch the video until the end!