In Oimatsu, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, there is "Kurashiki Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa", which opened in February 2017.
Although it is not located along a major road and is somewhat far from the station, it has gained support mainly from families with children, and at the time of opening, it was so popular that reservations were hard to come by.
Why was this location chosen? After hearing the story leading up to the cafe's opening, I was truly convinced.
There was a connection that seemed to call from the garden, and I will share the story of Cafe Niwa, which operates alongside the garden.
I will also introduce the delicious lunch and beautiful desserts at Cafe Niwa.
It was renewed and reopened as "Niwa to Bungaku" on October 1, 2022.
A calm interior with tatami rooms and private rooms
Located in a residential area, "Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa".
At first glance, it looks like an ordinary house, but you will be surprised by how spacious it is inside.
The parking lot is located by passing the store on the right and heading towards the Namba parking lot ahead.
The seven spaces marked by yellow poles are the parking lot for Cafe Niwa.
When you take off your shoes and enter the store, a beautiful garden welcomes you right away.
There is a wonderful story about how the cafe was born from this encounter with the garden, but let's save that for later.
Table seating that feels like a semi-private room.
It seems perfect for gatherings like mom's meetings or girls' nights out.
There are many tatami rooms.
Since it was originally a house that operated a tea ceremony class, there are many tatami rooms.
A cozy tatami seating that feels like a remnant of the tea ceremony class.
You can also make reservations for private rooms.
A diverse menu with a wide variety of handmade desserts
Lunch set menu.
All menu items come with soup, drinks, and salad, making it a great value set.
Prices as of September 2019
The set drinks, and the dessert for an additional 200 yen (tax included) has as many as 17 varieties! You will want to try them one after another.
Among them, the fruit sandwich made with homemade bread is said to be a popular item even on its own.
They also offer convenient takeout bento boxes, sweets, and decorated cakes.
The abundance of sweets is thanks to the owner Nakahara, who is a former patissier.
I will also introduce the cafe menu.
The stacked pancakes are a dream! I want to go eat them someday.
In the evening, there is also a pasta menu.
Loco moco bowls, omelets, green curry, and other night cafe options are also recommended.
A hearty harami steak bowl loaded with meat
I had the "Harami Steak Bowl" for lunch, priced at 1,080 yen (tax included).
It comes with salad, soup, and a drink, making it a great value lunch set.
Since it's a cafe menu, I thought the portion might be small, but it was loaded with meat and the rice was heaped! It was very filling and satisfying.
The harami steak, grilled to a slightly rare finish, is generously topped with a flavorful soy-based sauce.
Grated cheese adds a nice accent.
With each bite of the steak, I could feel the rich flavor of the meat.
The sauce and rice, along with the rice and meat, paired perfectly, making it hard to put down my chopsticks.
I finished it in no time.
The lunch set includes miso soup, salad, and a drink (ginger ale).
The spicy kick of the ginger ale pairs well with the harami steak.
I want to try all the desserts! Dessert set at Cafe Niwa
This is the shop owner's homemade "dessert plate" priced at 500 yen for the single item and 700 yen for the drink set (including tax).
A lovely set featuring Cafe Niwa's handmade pudding adorned with seasonal fruits has been prepared for you.
The regular lunch dessert is just the pudding for an additional 200 yen (including tax), but you can also order the dessert plate.
One of Cafe Niwa's signature menu items is this pudding.
There are always 7 to 8 flavors available, and the flavor variations are as follows from left to right.
- Matcha Tiramisu
- Chocolate Pudding
- Matcha Pudding
- Berry Pudding
- Mango Pudding
- Hojicha Pudding
- Tiramisu
A creamy pudding topped with plenty of berry sauce! It's a delicious pudding with a very luxurious taste.
It sounds fun to compare various flavors in a group.
It's also recommended as a souvenir.
The Deciding Factor: The Garden and the Story of Cafe Niwa
Now, regarding the garden of Cafe Niwa, which adds beautiful color to the dishes, there is a story that it was this garden that led to the decision to open here.
The shop owner had a dream of opening a shop in a place with a garden, and then came across this property.
This residence was originally a tea ceremony classroom.
It is said that it had been vacant for about 10 years before Cafe Niwa opened.
The reason is that while people were coming to inquire about renting it, the landlord's condition was that it had to be someone who would "care for and maintain the garden," so it remained without a tenant for a long time.
Additionally, there was the condition of "for residential rental," so the shop owner thought it would be impossible.
Still, the desire to open a cafe in a place with this beautiful garden remained strong.
With that thought in mind, encouraged by his wife, he made an inquiry on a whim, and was granted permission to rent it as a shop, "if it is someone who will protect and cherish the garden."
The landlord's wish to protect the garden and the shop owner's desire to cherish and cultivate it connected them.
The garden of Cafe Niwa is designed as a story that features mountains, flowing rivers, and eventually expands into the sea.
It feels like a small world exists there.
“When I work in the garden, I feel as if I am traveling somewhere far away,”
The shop owner, speaking about the garden, looked very happy, and his love for the garden was palpable.
A Warm Place Called by the Garden: "Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa"
Why is it that seeing greenery calms the heart and brings such a rich feeling?
A garden cannot simply be left as nature is.
It becomes a "garden" only when there is someone who organizes and cares for that place.
“Someday, I hope customers will come here specifically for this garden,”
It is precisely because of the shop owner's thoughts that Cafe Niwa can provide a warm and relaxing atmosphere for both adults and children.
Please visit "Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa" to enjoy the garden along with delicious food and desserts.
Data for Kurashiki Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa
| Name | Kurashiki Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-14-45 Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-7459-0572 |
| Parking | Available Park in 7 spaces marked with yellow poles at Namba Parking Lot (images available for directions) |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Lunch time: 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Cafe time: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, Dinner time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Sunday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes Private room reservations available |
| Seating | 36 seats, 5 tatami rooms, 6 tables |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
