There is a place where you can step away from your busy daily routine and spend time gazing out at the sea.
Local Shokudo at Washuzan Rest House in Kojima, Kurashiki City (hereafter referred to as “Local Shokudo”) is a restaurant with a location offering sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea. It serves a variety of dishes made with local ingredients, including Shimotsui octopus, fish from the Seto Inland Sea, and Okayama Prefecture peach pork.
Here’s a look at Local Shokudo, where the scenery is just as much a part of the meal as the food.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in July 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Washuzan Rest House Local Shokudo
Local Shokudo is a restaurant on the third floor of Washuzan Rest House, which reopened after renovations in April 2025.
The second floor also houses the aru Washuzan bookstore and a free rest area, while the fourth floor has a shop, so you can enjoy dining, shopping, and reading all in one building.
Inside the restaurant
The first thing to catch your eye inside is the large wall of windows. The window frames bring picture frames to mind, and the ever-changing views of the Seto Inland Sea felt like a work of art in their own right.
Place your order at the counter and pay in advance.
Water, meal pickup, and returning dishes are all self-service.
Carefully crafted menu featuring local ingredients
Local Shokudo’s menu is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to local ingredients. Okayama ingredients are used in nearly every dish, including fish from the Seto Inland Sea, Okayama Prefecture peach pork, and eggs from Sakamoto Keiran.
Popular dish: “Shimotsui Octopus Rice and Seto Inland Sea Sashimi Set”
I ordered the most popular dish, the Shimotsui Octopus Rice and Seto Inland Sea Sashimi Set.
They listen to customer feedback and work to achieve a texture that people of all ages will find delicious. The rice is cooked with constant adjustments along the way.
Every grain of rice is infused with the rich flavor of octopus. The octopus is neither too firm nor too soft, with just the right amount of chew. The gentle flavor is nicely complemented by the saltiness of the salmon roe.
The sashimi served during my visit included sea bream, seared Spanish mackerel, and greater amberjack.
The sea bream had a pleasantly chewy texture, the Spanish mackerel was so tender it fell apart in your mouth, and the greater amberjack had a light, crisp bite. It was a delightful plate of contrasting textures.
Drinks are available to go
Drinks at Local Shokudo are available to take out. Sipping one outside the building in the sea breeze from the Seto Inland Sea seems like a wonderful way to enjoy an even greater sense of openness.
The Seto Inland Sea Honey Lemonade is also made with honey produced in the prefecture and lemons from islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Its crisp, refreshing flavor made it the kind of drink you’d want to gulp down on a hot day.
Vegan and halal options
In April 2026, a new menu item, the Okayama Seasonal Vegetable Tempura Rice Bowl, was added, with options for vegan and halal diets.
Vegan
A way of eating that avoids foods derived from animals, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. It can also refer to a lifestyle that seeks to avoid using animal-derived products as much as possible, not just in food.
Halal
Meaning “permitted” in Arabic, this refers to things allowed under Islamic teachings. In food, this means avoiding pork, alcohol, and meat that has not been prepared appropriately.
There are two key features.
First, the tempura batter contains no eggs. Also, while typical tendon sauce contains animal-based stock made from ingredients such as bonito or conger eel, this dish uses a specially sourced vegan stock made without animal-derived ingredients.
True to its name, the Okayama Seasonal Vegetable Tempura Rice Bowl is generously topped with seasonal vegetables from Okayama Prefecture, including Tsurajima Burdock, lotus root, Alaska peas, and Senryo eggplant. It is also served with tempura made from Washu nori from Shimotsui, an area known for its nori production.
We spoke with Nagano Miho, head chef at Local Shokudo, about her work creating dishes that make the most of Okayama ingredients.
Washuzan Rest House Local Dining Hall Information
| Name | Washuzan Rest House Local Dining Hall |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1 Tanoura, Shimotsui, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-479-9164 |
| Parking | Available 45 spaces for large vehicles, 366 spaces for regular vehicles |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last order at 4:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Wednesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Seating | 105 seats total (13 counter seats and several tables seating 4–5 people) |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking (outdoor smoking area available) |
| Restrooms | Multipurpose restroom next to the order counter |
| Childcare | ・Children’s chairs ・Nursing room and diaper-changing area on another floor |
| Accessibility | Ramps, elevator |
| Website | Washuzan Rest House |
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