Vitamins for the Soul, Ise Udon: The Taste and the Person Who Saved Me from Depression

Ise udon is my soul food.
It is also my mentor in life.

With just one bite, the fluffy aroma of wheat and the sweet and savory dashi-based sauce spread through my body and soul. Some say it lacks firmness, but I feel the true essence of Ise udon lies in that very softness.

Ise udon eaten on a morning with a hangover is truly a moment of bliss. It gently wraps around my stomach and gives vitality to my tired body. It is a strange sensation, almost like being comforted by an old friend. It taught me how to live my life.

Now, there is someone indispensable when talking about my life with Ise udon. That is columnist Soichiro Ishihara, who is also an Ise Udon Ambassador. It is thanks to Mr. Ishihara that I was able to encounter Ise udon.

When I edited my first book, Mr. Ishihara was the one who kindly cooperated with me when I was still wet behind the ears. Since then, we have maintained a professional and personal relationship for nearly 30 years.

Mr. Ishihara and Ise udon are very similar.

Ise udon is fluffy and soft, gently wrapping around those who eat it. That is exactly the personality of Mr. Ishihara, who is generous and treats everyone equally.

I think of Mr. Ishihara as a person like Ise udon.

When I developed depression, Mr. Ishihara would come to talk to me from time to time. And when he left, he would always make sure I had some Ise udon. I cannot count how many times I have been grateful for his thoughtfulness.

By experiencing the gentle taste of Ise udon and the kindness of Mr. Ishihara, I managed to get through the most difficult period of my depression. At that time, I had strong suicidal ideation, so in a sense, Mr. Ishihara is my lifesaver.

I once asked Mr. Ishihara about his Ise udon activities.

"At first, I just started it because I hoped to enjoy this interesting udon called Ise udon personally," he told me about the time he established the "Ise Udon Friends Association" in 2012.

Mr. Ishihara would go around eating Ise udon in between writing manuscripts and continued to share its appeal. Then, before he knew it, he started getting calls from people in the Ise udon industry and the Ise Tourism Association, and his range of activities expanded to include participating in events and giving lectures on Ise udon.

Then, in 2013, he published a book titled "The Road to National Conquest of the Edible Power Spot 'Ise Udon'." Furthermore, he was appointed as the world's first Ise Udon Ambassador and received a letter of appreciation from the Ise City Tourism Association, establishing his position as a key person in the Ise udon world.

"You never know what will turn out to be a blessing in life," Mr. Ishihara laughed at the time.

He says his life has come this far through a repetition of "I guess things will work out if I just do it."

Mr. Ishihara's Ise udon activities, just as he says, were about continuing to enjoy what he was interested in, which attracted unexpected good fortune and led to great results.

Through Mr. Ishihara's activities, I learned once again about the depth of Ise udon.

And I learned the importance of engaging in what you love with passion, just like Mr. Ishihara.

I haven't been able to see Mr. Ishihara since I moved from Tokyo to the Kansai region, but when summer comes, I sometimes eat Ise udon as if I've just remembered it.

That might be because I love the taste of Ise Udon, but it could also be because I am reaffirming a way of life inspired by Ise Udon that was born during my time with Mr. Ishihara.

A place where everyone can heal their weary hearts and gather strength for a fresh start.
I write articles every day because I want this note to be just such a place, like Ise Udon.

The world can be a difficult place to live in, but if you have Ise Udon and a friend you can trust, 90% of life will be just fine.

I will continue to live like Ise Udon, pursuing what I love. And I will keep sharing that with the world.