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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, but during the winter it is open only on Fridays, and reservations are required on Saturdays. Details about opening hours and reservations are posted on Orai Cafe's Instagram (see INFORMATION).
If you don't get any results when you enter "Orai Cafe" into Google Maps or your car navigation system, try setting "Okaeri," located on the same premises, as your destination.
une is a multi-purpose community space located in the naturally rich town of Mogami, on the border with Miyagi Prefecture. It features a cafe, co-working space, and a children's play area, and is expected to serve as a base for generating new residents in Mogami Town.
Located about a 20-minute drive from Naruko Gorge, a scenic spot in Miyagi Prefecture, une is also close to Akakura Onsen, known for its abundant hot springs and long history.
Tucked away in a quiet location surrounded by trees, it truly feels like a hideaway.
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 sells gateau chocolat from "ainsi," a sweets shop that doesn't have a physical store. The moist dough and rich chocolate flavor are irresistible.
A cozy space with a pellet stove
Wi-Fi is available inside une, making it a popular co-working space. The gentle flames of the pellet stove stand out against the spacious white and wood interior.
Even eye-straining computer work is sure to be more productive if you can gaze out at the trees outside the window. This room is usually only used for coworking, but in the winter it can also be used as a children's play area. You can work while your kids play, or have a get-together with other moms.
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 the article. I'm naka, a writer born and raised in Tohoku. His hobby is visiting temples and shrines. Her goshuin is now in its third volume. We bring you the latest information and deep topics from Tohoku that only locals can provide!
![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]")
