Did you know that there is a café restaurant that opened in Kojima, famous for jeans, in 1969 and is celebrating its 52nd year in 2021?
Its name is "wagen".
Wagen not only offers a morning set available only in the morning, but also a rich menu and hearty set meals, making it a great place for lunch.
Wagen has many appetizing dishes that are sure to catch your eye on social media!
Also, some of you might have thought, "Could it be...?" from the name of the restaurant?
Yes, the owner loves cars, so it might be nice to chat about cars after your meal.
In this article, we, the students of Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School, will thoroughly introduce the charm of Wagen as we experienced it during our visit!
This article is a contribution by second-year students of the comprehensive inquiry class "Kojima Future Studies" at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School. It has been re-edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.
What is Café Restaurant wagen?
Wagen is a long-established café restaurant located near Kojima Jeans Street, exuding a retro atmosphere.
The owner runs the restaurant with the desire to share their favorite dishes with customers and support the local jeans industry.
A retro and calming atmosphere inside the restaurant
As soon as you enter Wagen, you are welcomed by the Showa-era interior and soothing piano background music, creating a space that heals your heart and frees you from the daily hustle and bustle.
Inside the restaurant, there are many displays of the owner's collection of jeans and miniature cars, creating a space filled with the owner's "favorite things".
The restaurant has 60 seats, allowing you to enjoy the space comfortably.
Wagen's "White Curry"
Wagen's menu is also filled with the owner's "favorite things", and what surprised me during the interview was the rather rare White Curry.
When I actually tried it, I was continuously surprised.
The moment it enters your mouth, you feel a smooth texture.
It has a spicy flavor that is different from typical curry.
Eating it with fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables) enhances the deliciousness even more!
By the way, the White Curry with a large portion of cutlet is also highly recommended.
Please try the white curry that you can't easily find elsewhere.
Hearty! Juicy "Wagen Steak"
Next up is the Wagen steak.
It comes with sauce, white rice, and salad, making it very filling.
You can enjoy the flavor of the meat by adding various toppings such as butter, lemon, and sauce to the steak that is overflowing with juice.
Additionally, the set that comes with a luxurious hamburger is also recommended.
Instagrammable! Pink "Cream Soda"
The drinks are also carefully selected, and the recommended one is the cream soda.
It's a pink cream soda!
The stylish letters spelling "wagen" are etched on the glass.
It makes for a perfect dessert after a meal.
There are also other Instagrammable cakes and ice creams available.
If you visit in the morning, you can also order the morning service.
You can enjoy a nutritious and filling breakfast featuring toast or rice balls as the main dish.
The Owner's Love for Jeans at the "Kojima Domestic Jeans Museum"
When you visit Wagen, there is a point of interest to note.
That is the jeans.
The owner's love for jeans is incredible, and in fact, the first domestic jeans are on display at Wagen!
It seems that the owner had a connection with BIG JOHN, which led to the display at Wagen.
Not only that, but on the right side of the main store of Wagen, there is the Kojima Domestic Jeans Museum, which displays various materials related to jeans.
Inside the museum, there is a true "American casual!" atmosphere, with retro jeans and even the owner's hobby cars on display!
The posters on display are all extremely rare.
It's surprising that these are almost all the owner's personal belongings.
Building a museum is a testament to the owner's immeasurable love for jeans.
Wagen, a long-established cafe restaurant with over 50 years of history.
I heard about the love the owner has poured into the shop.
Data of wagen (Wagen)
| Name | wagen (Wagen) |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-3-8 Ogawa, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-472-1480 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM - (Reservation only) |
| Regular Holiday | None |
| Payment Method |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes After 6:00 PM, reservation only |
| Seats | 60 seats |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking allowed in designated areas only) |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet, Japanese-style toilet |
