Aging owners are putting Japan's small businesses up for sale. These young entrepreneurs are stepping up. Provided by Takayuki Otawara.

Six days a week, Kengo Ohama is up before the sun. He takes 5 minutes to get ready, and is soon out the door for an hourlong motorbike ride to the neighboring town of Mihara in Hiroshima, Japan.

By 6 a.m., he pulls up outside a log-cabin-style building, home to Country Road, the café and roastery that he's been managing with his wife since April.

Kengo Ohama took over Countryroad, a café in Hiroshima, Japan, early this year. Provided by Kengo Ohama.

He cleans the space, makes pastries , roasts coffee beans, and serves guests throughout the day. After the last table has cleared, Ohama stays behind to prepare for tomorrow. By the time he gets home, it is already 11 p.m.

Ohama had always dreamed of opening a café .…