中央線・阿佐ヶ谷駅に近い商店街「スターロード」で半世紀以上にわたり営業してきた定食屋「太福」。その閉店までの日々を、アニメーションを学ぶために来日した英国人青年テオ・バーンズが記録した短編ドキュメンタリー。 東京・阿佐ヶ谷駅北口の商店街「スターロード」の片隅で、高度経済成長期から人々の食卓を支えてきた定食屋「太福」は、家庭料理を出す場であるだけでなく、常連客が集い言葉を交わす小さなコミュニティだった。2026年2月、その店に閉店の日が近づく。湯気の立つ厨房、カウンターに響く笑い声、気丈に店を守るママの姿など、そこに大きな出来事は起こらないが、時間が積み重ねてきた人々の人生が確かに息づいていた。 監督は、アニメーションを学ぶため阿佐ヶ谷へやって来た当時20歳の英国人青年テオ・バーンズ。偶然入ったこの店で昔ながらの日本の生活文化に魅了され、外国人ならではの視点から、消えゆく昭和の風景をすくい上げた。
A short documentary by British youth Theo Barnes, who came to Japan to study animation, recording the final days of 'Daifuku,' a set meal restaurant that operated for over half a century on 'Star Road,' a shopping street near Asagaya Station on the Chuo Line. In a corner of the 'Star Road' shopping street at the north exit of Tokyo's Asagaya Station, 'Daifuku' had supported people's meals since the period of high economic growth. It was not just a place serving home-style cooking, but a small community where regulars gathered and exchanged words. In February 2026, the restaurant's closing day approaches. The steaming kitchen, laughter echoing at the counter, the resilient figure of the mama-san protecting her shop—no major events occur, but the lives of people built up over time are palpably alive. The director is 20-year-old British youth Theo Barnes, who came to Asagaya to study animation. Stumbling into this shop by chance, he became captivated by traditional Japanese living culture and, from a foreigner's unique perspective, captured the fading Showa-era scenery.
Source: cinematokyo.com · Tokyo mini-theater & independent cinema showtimes.