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There are many wonderful cafes in Yamagata Prefecture, but this time we will introduce some special hidden cafes where you can spend some quiet time surrounded by nature
[Murayama area] Orai Cafe
Orai Cafe is located in the Oka area of Nakayama Town, where the mansions of the Kashiwakura family and their branch families, who were active in safflower production during the Edo period, still remain
Let's head towards the cafe through a historic road surrounded by black walls
A treasure trove of ingredients! A garden where approximately 200 types of plants bloom
Orai Cafe is located in a corner of the grounds of the former Kashiwakura Kisaku residence, surrounded by the Okaeri Garden, where approximately 200 types of plants and herbs bloom throughout the year
Check out the seasonally changing menu
Orai Cafe offers a wide variety of menu items made with seasonal herbs from the garden and produce harvested in Nakayama Town
The sodas are made with fresh herbs picked after an order is placed, and have a refreshing feeling that will help you reset your daily stress
Orai Cafe also offers a summer-only menu item, "Safflower Ginger Ale," made with safflower grown near the cafe. Safflower has the effect of improving blood flow and alleviating chills
The melt-in-your-mouth pizza topped with honey and cheese is also delicious
You can sit anywhere on the premises!
You can eat your ordered food inside the store, or take it to the benches outside or the main building next to the cafe
On a nice day, it would be nice to enjoy a picnic while looking out at the garden
Inside the main house is a relaxing space with a nostalgic atmosphere
In the summer, you can relax in a cool space without the need for air conditioning, while admiring the beautiful garden scenery
In late autumn, as the footsteps of winter approach, soft, gentle sunlight pours through the snow fences onto buildings prepared for winter
Combined with the retro atmosphere, it's a space enveloped in silence where it feels as if time has stopped. It may be the perfect place to read a book after enjoying a leisurely meal
Pay attention to business days and navigation destination settings
Orai Cafe is open two days a week, Friday and Saturday. During the winter, it is open as usual only on Fridays, and Saturdays are by reservation only. For details on opening hours and reservations, please see Orai Cafe's Instagram (see INFORMATION).
If you enter "Orai Cafe" into Google Maps or your car's navigation system and it doesn't show up, try setting "Okaeri," which is on the same premises, as your destination.
une is a multi-purpose community space located in Mogami Town, a town rich in nature, on the border with Miyagi Prefecture. In addition to a cafe, it also has a co-working space and a children's play area, and is expected to be a hub for creating connections with people in Mogami Town. It
is located about 20 minutes by car from Naruko Gorge, a famous scenic spot in Miyagi Prefecture, and is right next to Akakura Onsen, which boasts abundant hot spring water and a long history.
It can be said to be a hidden gem, quietly nestled in a peaceful location surrounded by trees.
A stylish space where the manager's sense shines through
This quaint building was constructed in 1986 and was once a beloved community center for local residents
Once you step inside, you will find a relaxing space decorated with natural interior decor
Hayakawa Souvenir Shop stocks souvenirs that will enrich your life, and even just looking at the items will soothe you
"Shokudo Une" - A menu you'll want to eat again and again
The "Onigiri Set Meal" (reservations required at least one day in advance) uses ingredients mainly from Mogami Town and comes with rice balls, miso soup with lots of ingredients, and delicious side dishes that you'll want to eat every day
The juicy fried shiitake mushrooms are coated in a soy sauce-based seasoning, making them a delight for adults and children alike
The kiriboshi daikon radish was packed with flavor despite being free of any artificial seasonings, and was so delicious that I found myself asking for more
Shokudo Une also carries gateau chocolat from "ainsi," a sweets shop that doesn't have a physical storefront. The moist texture and rich chocolate flavor are simply irresistible.
A cozy space with a pellet stove
Une is equipped with Wi-Fi and is a popular co-working space. The gentle flames of the pellet stove complement the spacious interior, which is based on white and wood tones.
Even strenuous computer work is sure to be more productive when you gaze at the trees outside the window. While this room is usually reserved for co-working, it can also be used as a children's play area during the winter months. You can work or have a get-together with other mothers while your children play.
There are also play equipment in the garden and community space, which are very popular with local children
Open Fridays and Saturdays in winter
une is open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays from December to March. Please check the official website for details
Thank you for reading this article.
I'm Naka, a writer born and raised in Tohoku.
My hobby is visiting temples and shrines, and I'm currently on my third goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) book.
I'll be sharing timely information and in-depth topics about Tohoku from a local's perspective!
![Mogami safflower](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== ""Mogami Safflower" certified as a Japanese Heritage and Japanese Agricultural Heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami Safflower" certified as a Japanese Heritage and Japanese Agricultural Heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
