In Inari-cho, Kurashiki City, a little way from the Bikan Historical Area.
Beyond the busy tourist area, there is a shop whose pink walls catch the eye while retaining the charm of a traditional Japanese house.
This is “Kashiwa Valley,” which opened in June 2024.
Owner Kashitani Yusuke has built up experience as a chef while also traveling around the world.
Dishes combining flavors discovered on his travels with ingredients from Okayama are another of Kashiwa Valley’s attractions. From lunch and café fare to dinner, there are many ways to enjoy the place at different times of day.
Here, we introduce the food and the appeal of the interior, as well as the thoughts Kashitani has put into his shop.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in October 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Kashiwa Valley
Kashiwa Valley is a restaurant that opened in June 2024.
Set in a traditional Japanese house, it offers a variety of ways to enjoy your visit, from lunch and café fare to dinner.
The dishes also use ingredients from Okayama Prefecture, and the menu includes items that reflect Kashitani’s experiences traveling around the world.
An interior that makes use of a traditional Japanese house
The building was originally a traditional house used as both a residence and a shop. Upon entering, you’ll notice the thick beams beneath the high ceiling and the earthen walls.
The wooden shelves used to store glasses are the same ones that were used to display goods when the building was a shop. Seeing the original frames preserved as they were brought to mind the building’s past as a shop.
Meanwhile, travel guidebooks Kashitani used abroad line the interior, and a small basket on the counter holds coins and banknotes from around the world.
Some of them, it seems, were given to him as souvenirs by customers.
Alongside reminders of the traditional house, there were things throughout the shop that offered a glimpse into Kashitani’s travel experiences.
A menu to enjoy from lunch through dinner
At lunchtime, the restaurant serves keema curry, chicken nanban, and more.
Alcoholic drinks can be ordered from opening time, making them a welcome option to enjoy with your meal.
À la carte dishes are also added to the menu after 2 p.m.
One of Kashiwa Valley’s distinctive features is that it can be enjoyed in different ways depending on when you visit—whether for lunch, a café break, or dinner.
We tried the food at Kashiwa Valley
During our visit, we ordered three dishes: the “Chicken Nanban Set Meal Topped with Oeuf Mayo,” “Mini Keema Curry,” and “Creme Brulee.”
Popular dish: Chicken Nanban Set Meal Topped with Oeuf Mayo
A popular lunch dish is the “Chicken Nanban Set Meal Topped with Oeuf Mayo.”
Oeuf mayo
A shortened form of oeuf mayonnaise, a French dish of a soft-boiled egg served with mayonnaise or another sauce
When the dish arrives, the oeuf mayo on top of the chicken nanban immediately catches the eye.
When you cut into the egg, the yolk flows out smoothly.
The coating on the chicken nanban is crispy.
When you eat it with the creamy oeuf mayo, a mellow flavor spreads through your mouth.
After 2 p.m., it is available as a standalone dish called “Oeuf Mayo Chicken Nanban,” so you can enjoy it outside lunchtime too.
Keema curry made with more than 20 kinds of spices
Next, we tried the “Mini Keema Curry.”
The regular-size keema curry is served at lunchtime, while the mini keema curry is available after 2 p.m.
It is made with more than 20 kinds of spices, and their aroma fills the air with the first bite.
I expected it to be spicy when I heard “spice curry,” but it wasn’t as hot as I had imagined.
If you like spicy food, you can add the accompanying chili spice and adjust the heat to your liking.
Creme brulee for dessert
For dessert, we tried the homemade “Creme Brulee.”
As you put in your spoon, the caramelized surface cracks with a crisp snap, while the inside is smooth and creamy.
The sweetness of the cream and the bittersweet caramelized top are accompanied by a delicate aroma of liqueur.
The menu at Kashiwa Valley is characterized by combinations of overseas spices and dishes with ingredients from Okayama Prefecture.
We spoke with owner Kashitani about how he started the restaurant and his thoughts on cooking.
Kashiwavare details
| Name | Kashiwavare |
|---|---|
| Address | 8-6 Inaricho, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-436-9988 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A la carte: 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last order at 9:00 p.m.) |
| Closed | Wednesday, Sunday Check Instagram for details on business days and hours. |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Book by phone |
| Seating | 26 seats |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Kashiwavare |
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