Japan's Aegean Sea: 6 wonderful cafes to visit in Ushimado!

1. Tereya Cafe: Coffee, Music and Literature

"Tereya Cafe" is a stylish old-style cafe with a theme of coffee, music, and literature. The interior is filled with tasteful accessories and a relaxing atmosphere, where you can feel time passing slowly.

The carefully brewed coffee is delicious, and the menu has a wide variety of dishes such as curry, pasta, hamburger steak, etc. After some hesitation, I ordered coconut curry, and the combination of the spicy flavor and mellow coconut flavor was exquisite.

Furthermore, live events are frequently held at "Tereya Cafe," making it a hub for the Ushimado music scene, where you can enjoy a wide variety of music genres. If you're interested, be sure to check out the live event information on their official website.

[Teleya Cafe]

Address: 4200-1 Ushimado , Ushimado Ushimado Town Setouchi City Prefecture

TEL: 0869-34-5397

Business hours: 10:00-18:00

Closed: Thursday

Parking: Available

Tereya Cafe Official Website

2. Homemade Koji and Fermentation Cafe "Nonno"

"Nonno" is a health-conscious old-style cafe where you can enjoy lunch, sweets, and sweet rice wine made with six kinds of homemade "Ouchi-koji". Meals are by reservation only, and you can choose between meat or fish for lunch.

I was expecting a light taste, but it was well seasoned and very delicious. It was served with homemade soy sauce koji, so you can enjoy changing the flavor to your liking.

The cafe also holds lessons and classes on making seasonings using koji, so if you're interested, why not give it a go?

[Nonno]

Address: 641 Shikanin , Setouchi City Ushimado Town shi, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 090-6949-8863

Business hours: 11:00-14:00 (last order 13:00)

*Meals require reservations

Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Parking: Available

Non's official Instagram

3. Meet Finless Porpoises at Ushimado Cafe in Maejima

Maejima is a large island located right in front of the town of Ushimado. Ferries depart from Ushimado Port and can be reached in about 5 minutes. Ushimado Cafe in Maejima is about a 2-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal on the Maejima side. The cafe is located right next to the old ferry terminal and is a renovated building from the former ferry waiting room. It is operated by Maejima Ferry. The homemade lemonade had just the right amount of bitterness and was very delicious. The paella with seasonal vegetables and seafood is also recommended.

If you're lucky, you might even be able to meet a finless porpoise at Ushimado Cafe in Maejima. Finless porpoises are a type of small whale less than 2 meters long. The restaurant's rooftop has seats overlooking the ocean, called the Finless Porpoise Terrace. Maejima Ferry, which operates the cafe, also offers the Ushimado Refreshing Cruising Deserted Island Lunch Plan, every weekend except the end of the month, where you can take a special paella-style lunch box across to Venus Road (Kuroshima), enjoy lunch on the Ushimado, and then enjoy a drink and dessert at the cafe.

[Ushimado Cafe in Maejima]

Address: 5792-4 Ushimado , Ushimado Ushimado Town Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0869-24-8776

Business hours: 11:00-17:00 (last order 16:30)

Opening days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays

Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

Parking: Available

Ushimado Cafe in Maejima Official Instagram

4. Yamanoue Roastery: Rare coffee beans and a spectacular view of Ushimado

Yama no Ue Roastery is a specialty coffee shop located inside Ushimado Olive Garden, a popular tourist spot in Ushimado . They are particularly particular about using a rare variety of Yemeni coffee beans that are hardly distributed in Japan. These Yemeni beans are characterized by their sour taste, and when you put them in your mouth, they spread a mellow aroma and complex flavor, making it an irresistible cup for coffee lovers. They also offer baked goods that go well with their home-roasted coffee, and we recommend enjoying them together with your coffee.

Another big attraction of this cafe is the spectacular view it offers from its location. If you go up to the rooftop of the cafe, you can see not only the townscape of Ushimado, but also the beautiful Seto Inland Sea with islands such as Maejima, Kuroshima, and Shodoshima floating in the sea. And on a clear day, sipping coffee while looking out at this view that stretches all the way to the mountains of Shikoku in the distance is truly a blissful moment.

Yamanoue Roastery is also participating in the "Gourmet x Bizen Pottery" event hosted by the Okayama Prefecture Bizen Prefectural Government. This is a unique event where coffee is served in Bizen Pottery ware and regular cups, allowing you to compare the taste and enjoy the difference between the two.

You can take home the Bizen Pottery ware you used as a souvenir, so this is a project that coffee lovers should definitely participate in. The event will be held until November 30, 2024, but it will end as soon as the stock of dishes runs out, so we recommend visiting early.

● "Gourmet Food x Bizen Pottery" Campaign (Bizen Pottery Ware Tasting Set)

Event period: Now through Saturday, November 30, 2024

*Ends when supplies last

[Roastery on the Mountain]

Address: 2F, 421-1 Ushimado Town Ushimado shi, Setouchi City

TEL: 0869-93-4701

Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (until 18:00 in summer)

Closed: Open all year round

Parking: Available

Official Instagram of Yamanoue Roastery

5. Teremok Cafe: Located in a Cultural Complex with a Ruined Feel

Teremok Cafe is located inside Ushimado Teremok, a cultural complex that was renovated from the former Ushimado Clinic. Located just inside the entrance, the ruined and nostalgic atmosphere that permeates the entire facility enhances the unique space of the cafe. The menu offers a wide range of options, including authentic coffee, lattes, smoothies, spicy curry, pizza, and even local Ushimado beer.

Particularly recommended are the pizza made with whitebait from Ushimado and the tomato sauce pizza made with fresh squid from the Seto Inland Sea. The dough, made with whole wheat flour and roasted germ, is fragrant and flavorful. The freshness of the ingredients and the chewy texture of the dough are an exquisite match, leaving you feeling satisfied with every bite. In addition, the counter of this cafe was originally the reception desk of a clinic, so you can enjoy the space that blends past and present while feeling a bit of history.

[Teremok Cafe]

Address: 4448-1 Ushimado , Ushimado Town Setouchi City Prefecture

TEL: 0869-34-5877

Business hours: 10:00-18:00 (last order 17:00)

Closed: Mondays

Parking: Available

Teremok Cafe Official Instagram

6. Cafe CLOVER: Their fried chicken is super popular!

Cafe CLOVER is located right next to the Seto Inland Sea City Museum of Art. It is a unique cafe that has a cute land turtle kept as a mascot inside the cafe. There is also terrace seating, and the cute exterior and interior make it a stylish place to spend time. The limited-time "Yamadorige Lunch (adult children's lunch)" and "Yamadorige Plate" are special menu items available until November 30, 2024, so don't miss this opportunity to enjoy them.

The most popular item at this cafe is the juicy fried chicken, which is actually part of the cafe menu. The fried chicken is coated in a special sweet and sour sauce, making it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. You can order it as a single item and enjoy the perfect balance of sauces, which is why it is loved by regular customers.

[cafe CLOVER]

Address: 4923-4 Ushimado , Ushimado Ushimado Town Setouchi City Prefecture

TEL: 0869-24-7825

Business hours: 11:00-15:00 *May vary slightly

Closed: Mondays

Parking: Available

Cafe CLOVER Official Facebook

lastly

Each shop offers a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and a quiet environment surrounded by abundant nature, allowing you to spend a pleasant time. Each cafe has its own unique character and offers elaborate menu items, so you'll discover something new every time you visit. In addition to the cafes we've introduced so far, there are many more unique cafes worth visiting.

One way to enjoy the town is to stroll around Ushimado looking for such shops. Enjoy a relaxing time savoring delicious coffee and cuisine, and experience the luxury that only Ushimado can provide.