There are two things that Initial D fans, like ourselves, dream of doing: To drive on Mount Akina (Haruna) and to visit the Fujiwara Tofu Shop. It's possible to do the first, but unfortunately the actual tofu shop at Gunma had long gone, leaving only the signboard at a museum. Let us uncover the story of Fujiwara Tofu Shop!
Before Fujiwara Tofu Shop came into existence, there was a shop called Fujino Store Tofu Shop (藤野屋豆腐店) ran by the Fujinoki family. Can you believe Initial D author Shuichi Shigeno actually took close reference from this when the manga was introduced in 1995?
The signboard was only changed to Fujiwara Tofu Shop (藤原豆腐店) for the Initial D Live Action movie in 2005 and remained that way ever since, thanks to Mr Fujinoki's decision.
After the movie debut, the tofu shop became a hit with fans from all over Japan who came for photos. Everything was good until the tofu shop owner passed away in 2008 due to sickness, and eventually the shop officially closed its doors in 2009 and demolished in 2010 to make way for new area development.
Two years later, the shop front was restored and brought to life with the help of Mr Yokota, the boss of Ikaho Toy, Doll & Car Museum (Yokota Museum) and kept in his museum alongside with other great collectibles for everyone to remember.
Takumi Fujiwara’s daily tofu delivery machine was restored and donated by none other than Carland’s Tokuchi-san, and the details follow closely to the one in Initial D First Stage anime with cup holder, ’13-954’ Gunma plate and Italvolanti Admiral steering wheel.
Didn’t know Takumi has a cat. XD
These are definitely Bunta’s secret weapons in tofu making.
An image of the actual Fujiwara Tofu Shop before the demolition via Initial D Wikia.
Being at Yokota Museum looking at the real thing with Takumi's AE86 right beside us, we were full of emotions. The one tofu shop that had influenced us all was right in front of our eyes. As an Initial D fan, this sacred place is all that’s left for us to appreciate and be reminded of the legendary Fujiwara Tofu Shop that once was.
If you're in Japan, it's a must to visit Yokota Museum at Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture. :)
You can find Yokota Museum or ‘Ikaho Toy, Doll & Car Museum’ in the map above, 17 minutes by car from Shibukawa Station. Entrance fee for an adult is 1,080 yen.
Check the link for more info: http://www.ikaho-omocha.jp/
