東京で夢を醸す：ダンさんの旅路
At U Share, the international student dorm in the heart of Tokyo, the community isn’t just built through shared spaces—it’s also shaped by the stories we carry and the dreams we dare to pursue. On the evening of July 2, residents gathered in the lounge at U Share Nishiwaseda for a special guest: Dan, the founder of DREAMSPARK and owner of Life is Better from Yume Wo Katare. More than just the familiar face behind a neighborhood hangout spot, Dan brought with him a story of cultural identity, resilience, and personal growth.
Dan’s story begins with his Japanese great-grandfather, who sailed from Fukuoka to Brazil in search of new opportunities. The journey took weeks by ship, and the language barrier was immense. “There was no Internet back then—just courage,” Dan reflected. “My great-grandfather left everything behind for something uncertain, and I carry that same spirit with me.”
His parents later moved back to Japan during the 1990s economic boom, when the country welcomed a wave of returnee immigrants. Dan grew up in a bicultural household where expectations ran high, especially around education. His parents gave him two options: attend a top Japanese university or study abroad. Dan chose the latter, taking a gap year before enrolling at the University of Connecticut in the U.S..
During his undergraduate years, Dan became a regular at Yume Wo Katare in Boston—a ramen shop famous not only for its hearty bowls but also for its signature tradition: customers share their dreams aloud after finishing their meal. Located just a 15-minute walk from Harvard’s campus, it was more than a restaurant; it was a space for inspiration.
“The ramen is garlicky, intense, and packed with flavor—but the atmosphere is what stays with you,” Dan explained. “Hearing people share their dreams, big or small, made me start thinking about my own dreams more seriously.”
Some of the dreams he heard were surprisingly simple yet profound: “I want to wake up at 7 AM tomorrow,” or “I hope I can finish a marathon.” These moments taught him that what seems small to one person might feel monumental to another. “Dreams are all about perspective,” he said. “And we should treat all of them with the same respect.”
Dan spent several years at Yume Wo Katare in Boston before transferring to their Okinawa branch—part of a unique system that rotates staff every three years to encourage personal growth and new perspective. His time in Okinawa was filled with rich memories: connecting with locals, embracing a slower pace of life, and deepening his understanding of Japanese hospitality. But eventually, it was time to move again.
This time, the destination was Tokyo.
With the opening of Life is Better near Waseda, Dan saw an opportunity to try something new—something that would fuse his love for ramen with his growing passion for coffee and craft beer. And so, DREAMSPARK Brewing Waseda was born.
When asked about his current dreams, Dan’s answer was quite simple but ambitious: “ I want to make the Waseda neighborhood a destination in itself—not just a university town that empties out during school breaks, but a place people come to for its creativity, uniqueness, and charm. ”
That dream is already taking root, one glass of beer, one conversation, and one connection at a time.
