If you have a pet, you may sometimes wish you could take them along when you eat out.
There are cafes and terraces that welcome dogs, but you may not have heard of many izakaya that do. In Mizushima, Kurashiki City, there’s a restaurant that welcomes dogs for both lunch and izakaya hours. Of course, you’re welcome even if you don’t have a dog.
Here’s “Kitchen Ashiato,” a cozy restaurant run by a dog-loving owner.
The information provided was current when this article was published in July 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Kitchen Ashiato
Kitchen Ashiato is a dog-friendly restaurant in Mizushima, Kurashiki City. It operates as a lunch restaurant during the day and an izakaya serving set meals in the evening.
Dogs are welcome both during the day and in the evening.
If you’re lucky, you might even meet the owner’s dog (this isn’t a dog cafe, so the dog may not always be there).
The restaurant serves comforting, home-style food, and apparently has many regular customers who come from far away.
Kitchen Ashiato’s Menu
A daily lunch special is served at lunchtime.
Here’s a look at the menu from one day.
Daily Lunch Menu
The main dish comes with rice, miso soup, a small side dish, salad, pickles, yogurt, and a drink.
The main dish that day was yurinchi (Chinese-style fried chicken).
This set meal has plenty of dishes and a home-style flavor. Everything was delicious and reminded me of meals at my parents’ house.
You can choose a soft drink such as coffee or tea.
I chose iced coffee.
This lunch set is a real bargain.
Evening Izakaya Menu
You can order a wide variety of dishes, including individual plates and snacks.
Here are three dishes recommended by the manager.
Nikujaga (meat and potatoes)
This dish is the very definition of comforting home cooking, and is highly rated by customers.
The ingredients are cut into small pieces and served generously in a small bowl, with a gentle seasoning.
I think it’s rare to find nikujaga at an izakaya, so I definitely recommend ordering it.
Braised Pork Belly
It’s carefully prepared over a long period, and the meat is tender enough to cut easily with chopsticks.
The seasoning isn’t too strong or too sweet, but the flavor has thoroughly soaked in, making it perfect with rice or drinks.
It’s served with a simmered egg, making this a thoroughly satisfying dish in both appearance and taste.
Fried Chicken Tenderloin with Shiso and Cheese
This hearty dish is topped with plenty of the owner’s homemade tartar sauce. It’s great to enjoy on your own or share.
The chicken tenderloin is thick but tender, so it’s easy to keep eating.
When freshly fried, the cheese inside is piping hot and melts out, making this a great dish to enjoy with drinks.
Evening Set Meals
In the evening, you can turn any individual dish into a set meal.
Choose one main dish from the menu, and it will come with rice, miso soup, a small side dish, salad, and pickles as an evening set meal.
I chose the owner’s recommended simmered hamburger steak as my main dish.
The meat is tender, and it tastes delicious with the sweet sauce.
It’s a popular dish with customers, too.
Although it operates as an “izakaya” in the evening, the restaurant says customers are very welcome to order non-alcoholic drinks or soft drinks.
Menu for Dogs
There are several kinds of treats for dogs, so you can enjoy a meal with your beloved pet.
Kitchen Ashiato is a casual restaurant where you can dine indoors with your dog, and all the food is handmade by the owner.
We spoke with manager Miyake Mari.
Kitchen Ashiato Information
| Name | kitchen Ashiato |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-7 Mizushima Higashitokiwa-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-1355-4391 |
| Parking | Available Behind the restaurant |
| Hours | 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. |
| Closed | Monday and Tuesday Open if a holiday falls on these days |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) *Only e-cigarettes may be used indoors |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | kitchen Ashiato |
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