In 2017, Kurashiki Oimatsu Sanchome Cafe Niwa opened in Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City.
In October 2022, this cafe, known for its beautifully tended garden, changed its name.
Its new name is cafe “Niwa to Bungaku”.
The name wasn’t the only thing that changed: the interior was renovated and the menu revamped.
We visited the cafe to see its growing appeal for ourselves.
The information presented here is as of the article’s publication in March 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A new name, renovations, and a grand reopening
The exterior is unchanged, apart from the sign, which is now white instead of its former green.
The cafe is in a renovated Showa-era building, and its exterior conveys a calm atmosphere.
Now, let’s take a look inside at the major changes made during the renovation.
The room directly opposite the entrance is one every customer passes through.
As we stepped inside, a large bookshelf reaching up above us greeted us.
The former table seating is gone, replaced by sofa seating on the opposite side of the large bookshelf.
There’s another bookshelf beside the sofa seating.
You can tell without asking anyone that “Bungaku” in the cafe’s name refers to these books.
You’re welcome to read any of the books on the shelves.
A display case and product shelves have been added beside the register.
Apparently, the staff built them themselves as a DIY project.
The display case holds pudding, while the shelves have baked treats such as cookies and financiers.
It’s nice to be able to buy your favorite treats to take home.
Just as worthy of attention as the bookshelves are the counter seats facing the garden.
Previously, the tables were arranged so you could only glance sideways at the garden.
The benefit isn’t just that you can enjoy a leisurely meal while looking out at the garden.
With counter seating, the cafe has become much more welcoming to solo diners.
Each of the four private rooms is reserved for one group.
It looks like you can enjoy a luxurious experience, both in terms of space and time.
We tried the cafe menu
The interior has changed significantly, and so has the menu.
Menu
▼ Lunch menu. Available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last order at 2 p.m.).
The menu used to focus on rice bowls, but now meals are served as set meals.
▼ Sweets can be enjoyed anytime during business hours.
Hamburger set meal
We tried the hamburger set meal for lunch.
It comes with a hamburger steak, miso soup, three small side dishes, white rice, pickles, and fruit.
The small side dishes change daily.
The large, chunky simmered hamburger steak was fluffy, contrary to how it looked.
It was so tender you could cut it easily with chopsticks.
The sauce had soaked in, and I polished off the white rice.
It’s nice when you get lots of different side dishes, even if there’s just a little of each.
You get to enjoy all kinds of flavors, and somehow it feels like a great deal.
Lunch while listening to classical music playing in the cafe and gazing out at the garden.
What a happy way to spend time.
Firm Pudding
The popular puddings, which have been around since the cafe’s former days as Cafe Niwa, come in two varieties: “smooth” and “firm.”
Perhaps because of the recent retro boom, or because people want something photogenic, the firm one is apparently more popular.
Doesn’t it look cute?
This retro pudding, with its distinctly Showa-era feel, goes perfectly with the Showa-era building and Japanese garden.
Why does a cherry make something feel even more retro?
It’s so cute you can’t help wanting to take a photo.
The pudding is firm, but smooth when you put it in your mouth.
It melts away easily.
Cheesecake
I tried the cheesecake too, as it was also recommended.
It has a simple, no-frills shape.
This cheesecake was something special—the kind of cake I’d never tasted before.
Its flavor and texture are like the best of both worlds: rare cheesecake and baked cheesecake.
The surface is firmly baked and hard, like baked cheesecake, while the inside is dense and sticky, almost like rare cheesecake.
It’s so densely packed and incredibly rich, you’d think they’d combined three cakes into one.
The base was made of cookie crust.
We spoke with cafe manager Yosuke Nakahara about the cafe “Niwa to Bungaku,” which has been renovated and changed its name and menu.
“Niwa to Bungaku” is in Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, within walking distance of JR Kurashiki Station.
After the renovation, seating was added where guests can dine while looking out over the well-kept Japanese garden, a large bookshelf was installed, and the private rooms became more spacious and relaxing.
Cafe “Niwa to Bungaku” Information
| Name | cafe “Niwa to Bungaku” |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-14-45 Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-7459-0572 |
| Parking | Available Seven spaces marked by yellow poles at Namba Parking |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last order 4:00 p.m.) |
| Closed | Sunday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Reservations required for visits after 5:00 p.m. |
| Seating | 22 seats: 16 table seats, 4 counter seats, 2 sofa seats |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | cafe “Niwa to Bungaku” Official Instagram |
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