In 2017, Kurashiki Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa opened in Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City.
A cafe with a carefully maintained garden made a decision to change its name in October 2022.
The new name is cafe "Niwa to Bungaku".
Not only the name changed, but the interior was renovated and the menu was completely refreshed.
I went to interview at the cafe, which has become even more attractive.
Changed the name, renovated, and reopened
Aside from the sign changing from green to a white base, the exterior has not changed.
It is a cafe renovated from a Showa-era building, and the calm atmosphere is conveyed from the outside.
Now, let me introduce the greatly changed interior.
The room directly in front of the entrance is a place that customers must pass through.
Upon entering, I was greeted by a large bookshelf that reaches up high.
The table seats that were previously there have been removed, and there are sofa seats on the opposite side of the large bookshelf.
There is also a bookshelf next to the sofa seats.
Without needing to ask anyone, it is clear that the "Bungaku" in the cafe's name refers to these books.
The books on the bookshelf can be read freely.
Next to the register, there is a showcase and a product shelf.
I heard that the staff made it through DIY.
In the showcase, there are puddings, and on the shelf, there are baked goods like cookies and financiers.
It's nice to be able to buy your favorite sweets to take home.
One thing I want you to pay attention to, just as much as the bookshelf, is the counter seats facing the garden.
Previously, there were table seats arranged to view the garden sideways.
The advantage is not only being able to enjoy a leisurely meal while looking at the garden.
With the addition of counter seats, it has become a much more accessible cafe for solo customers.
All four private rooms are designed for one group per room.
It seems like a luxurious time can be spent both spatially and temporally.
I tried the cafe menu
The interior has changed significantly, and the menu has also changed.
Menu
▼Lunch menu. Available from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (last order at 2:00 PM).
Previously, the focus was on rice bowls, but now it is in a set meal style.
▼The sweets menu is available at any time during business hours.
Hamburger set meal
I had the hamburger set meal for lunch.
It includes a hamburger, miso soup, three small side dishes, white rice, pickles, and fruit.
The small side dishes are said to change daily.
The large simmered hamburger steak was fluffy despite its appearance.
It was so tender that it could be cut easily with chopsticks.
The sauce soaked in, and I couldn't stop eating the white rice.
Having a variety of small side dishes is delightful.
You can enjoy different flavors, which makes you feel like you've gotten a good deal.
Listening to classical music flowing through the store while enjoying lunch with a view of the garden.
What a happy time it is.
Firm Pudding
Since the old cafe era, the popular pudding comes in two types: "smooth" and "firm."
Recently, perhaps due to the retro boom or the desire for Instagrammable food, the firm type seems to be more popular.
Isn't it cute in appearance?
The retro pudding, which exudes a Showa-era vibe, matches perfectly with the Showa-era building and Japanese garden.
I wonder why the presence of a cherry on top enhances the retro feel.
It's so cute that you can't help but want to take a picture.
The texture is firm, but once it enters your mouth, it becomes smooth.
It melts away effortlessly.
Cheesecake
I was told that the cheesecake is also recommended, so I tried it.
It has a simple form without any waste.
This cheesecake was a special cake unlike any I have ever eaten before.
It has a taste and texture that seems to combine the best of both rare cheesecake and baked cheesecake.
The surface is baked firmly like a baked cheesecake, but the inside is sticky, almost like a rare cheesecake.
It's so packed that it feels like three cakes combined into one, and it's surprisingly rich.
The bottom is made of cookie crust.
I spoke with the manager, Nakahara Yosuke, about the cafe "Garden and Bungaku," which has changed its name and menu and undergone renovations.
Located in Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, within walking distance from JR Kurashiki Station, "Garden and Bungaku" has been renovated to provide seating where you can enjoy meals while looking at the well-maintained Japanese garden, a large bookshelf has been added, and the private rooms have become more spacious for a comfortable experience.
Data of cafe "Garden and Bungaku"
| Name | cafe "Garden and Bungaku" |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-14-45 Oimatsu-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-7459-0572 |
| Parking | Available 7 spaces at Namba Parking Lot marked with yellow poles |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last order at 4:00 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Sunday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Possible Reservations required for use after 5:00 PM |
| Seating | 22 seats: 16 table seats, 4 counter seats, 2 sofa seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Official Instagram of cafe "Garden and Bungaku" |
