Niimi City's exquisite gourmet tour! Lunch with premium Wagyu beef "Chiya" and a stylish cafe experience [Okayama]

We'll introduce you to a restaurant where you can enjoy Okayama Prefecture's signature high-quality Chiya beef, Chiya Beef, as well as some unique and delicious cafes. These three establishments are all relatively close to each other, so you can easily visit them all in one day.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato - Enjoy authentic Chiya beef
• 2. Kura Cafe on the Hill (Nekorakuji) - A traditional Japanese cafe where you can enjoy time with cats
• 3. Early Morning - Enjoy authentic tea and a spectacular view
• Access information

1. Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato - Enjoy authentic Chiya beef

Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato , located in the Chiya district of Niimi City , is located along National Route 180, which runs from Niimi city to Niimi Chiya Onsen Ibuki no Sato (Hot Spring Resort) and Ibuki no Sato Ski Resort.

Niimichiya Onsen Ibuki no Sato

718-0104 1336-5 Chiyahanami, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

Niimi Chiya Onsen Ibuki no Sato, located in the northernmost part of Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, on the border with Tottori Prefecture, has installed a biomass boiler that uses wood chips as fuel, installed LED lighting throughout the building, and renovated its air conditioning equipment. You can soothe your tiredness in the spacious bathroom, abundant hot water, and a variety of baths including an open-air bath. The quality of the hot spring water contains a lot of hydrogen carbonate ions, and it is said to be a ``hot spring for beautiful skin'' because it leaves your skin smooth after bathing. The LED lighting in the building illuminates the wood-covered ceiling even more beautifully, and the spacious rest area provides a space where you can relax and soothe your mind and body. At the restaurant, you can enjoy the rare brand of Japanese beef "Chiya beef" at a reasonable price during lunch time, as well as kaiseki-style meals such as yakiniku and sukiyaki.

Ibuki no Sato Ski Resort

718-0104 1336-1 Chiyahanami, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

It is usually open from mid-December until the vernal equinox in March. We have a wide range of courses from beginners to advanced courses. There is also a kids park, so it is a ski resort that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

In addition to being able to savor Niimi's specialty Chiya beef in steak and yakiniku, the restaurant also recommends the light meal set featuring Chiya beef. In winter, the restaurant also has a fireplace (a heating hearth) and a nice atmosphere.

Chiya beef steak

Chiya Beef is a premium brand of wagyu beef representing Okayama Prefecture . You can choose the steak weight from fillet, loin, or sirloin. This time, I ordered 200 grams of loin. It was incredibly tender, with just the right amount of fat (the oil in the meat). The fat melted easily, giving it a refined flavor, and it was definitely worth the trip. The sauce was delicious, but eating it with rock salt (iwashio: natural salt) really brought out the sweetness.

We asked the owner why Chiya Beef is so tender and delicious. The first reason is that it is said that the deliciousness of beef is determined by its lineage (the lineage of the breed), and Chiya Beef is a precious Wagyu beef that inherits the blood of Japan's oldest Tsuru-ushi (Heritage Wagyu Bloodline)(an excellent lineage of Wagyu beef), and has an exquisite balance of the savory flavor of the lean meat and the sweetness of the fat. The second reason is that the cows are raised healthily in Niimi's pure water and clean air, and on nutritionally balanced feed, resulting in fine marbling (the pattern of fine fat in the meat) and a tender texture.

Chiya beef grilled meat

I also tried the grilled meat. The balance between the umami of the lean meat and the fragrant aroma of the fat was exquisite, and when grilled, the excess fat was removed, and the sweetness spread the more you chewed, making you feel like you could eat a lot. The sauce was also delicious, but the rock salt was especially recommended. It is not greasy to begin with, and it doesn't leave you feeling heavy after eating, so it is popular with a wide range of age groups.

According to the owner, the appeal of this beef lies in its safety and high quality, which comes from the fact that producers have carefully raised each and every cow, while preserving the bloodlines that have been passed down for generations as the pride of Okayama.

Local vegetables are also delicious

The fresh, locally grown vegetables and rice were also delicious. While grilling the vegetables, we enjoyed some Chiya beef. I was worried that the delicious sizzling sound and smell would get on my hair and clothes, but the ventilation was good so it was fine, and I was able to move on to my next spot with peace of mind.

Chiya beef is also available for takeaway

The shop also processes meat, and has a large refrigerator stocked with Chiya beef for takeaway. I recommend it as a souvenir or for home use. I bought some Chiya beef tendon meat for curry and stews, and it was delicious and of a different quality to what you'd buy at the supermarket. They also put ice packs in the cooler bags for takeaway, so you can rest assured.

Originally, steelmaking was a local industry in Niimi, but as time passed, cattle raising became the main industry. Surrounded by mountains, the area is blessed with an abundance of vegetation and natural resources to feed the cattle, and the water and air are clean, making it an ideal environment for raising cattle. I learned that the reason Chiya beef is so delicious is due to a combination of the history of preserving bloodlines, Niimi's environment, and the passion of the people who support it.

[Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato ]

Address: 1428-1 Chiya, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0867-77-2635

Business hours: 11:00-15:00 (19:30 on Saturdays only)

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Parking: Available

Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato| Official Instagram

2. Kura Cafe on the Hill (Nekorakuji) - A traditional Japanese cafe where you can enjoy time with cats

Located on a hill along National Route 180, near Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato, Okanoue no Kura Cafe (Nekorakuji) is a traditional Japanese house cafe that is open only on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch requires a reservation (reservations must be made at least three days in advance), but you can use the cafe without a reservation. This time, we visited as a cafe. As the name "Nekorakuji" suggests, the cafe is home to two cute mascot cats, making it a highly recommended place for cat lovers.

Cat Altar - Encounter with the mascot cat

Two cats, Nene-chan and Baron-kun, roam freely on the premises and in the cafe. They are quiet and intelligent cats, and are the shop's mascots. There is a cat altar (display stand) in the spacious cafe.

It really caught my eye, and when I first saw it, I was captivated by its mysterious cuteness. I could see why it was named "Nekorakuji." I wasn't able to meet Nene that day, but Baron welcomed me.

Autumn chestnut sweets

The marron chantilly, made with chestnut cream and fresh cream, is a must-try for chestnut lovers. The chestnut cream is filled with sponge cake, making it a very filling dish. The simple taste of the chestnuts combined with the fresh cream was delicious. I heard that their specialty coffee, which they also roast (the process of roasting coffee beans), is popular, so I tried it with their original blend coffee. The sweetness of the chestnut cream and the bitterness of the coffee were just the right balance.

Chiya's sunflower-colored cream soda

I couldn't help but order the cream soda "Chiya Sunflower Color" because of its cute appearance and lovely name. Chiya in Niimi City is known for its beautiful sunflower fields, and I have visited there many times in the summer. The cream soda brought back memories of those sunflowers.

Other varieties include a red soda called "The Color of Love for Chiya," a green soda called "The Color of Mountains in Chiya," and a blue soda called "The Color of Sky in Chiya," and you can really feel the owner's love for Chiya from the names. Of course, there are cat decorations on top of the ice cream and whipped cream.

A cafe where the owner's ideas come to life

Each item on the cafe menu is carefully selected, from the ingredients to the design and naming, and we were also shown the owner's "Romantic Men's Room." Located next to the cafe, it looks like a secret hideout or bar, but it's equipped with professional drums and sound equipment, and the records on the walls are a valuable collection.

There is also a theater room, a foot bath in the garden, and plans are underway for a wonderful space like an observation terrace that is still evolving.The owner and his wife's personalities are evident in this cafe, making it a place you'll want to visit.

[Kura Cafe on the Hill (Nekorakuji Temple)]

Address: 871 Chiya, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

Opening days: Friday and Saturday (Lunch reservations required 3 days in advance)

Opening hours: Lunch 11:00-14:00, Cafe 14:00-16:00 (last orders 15:30)

Parking: Available

Kura Cafe on the Hill (Nekorakuji Temple) | Official Instagram

3. Early Morning - Enjoy authentic tea and a spectacular view

At " Early Morning " located on top of Mount Osa in Niimi City , they cultivate tea leaves and serve their original brand "ⓇEIJI MIYAMOTO" tea made from the tea leaves grown there. Lunch and tea food are also available, allowing you to enjoy authentic tea time in a relaxing natural setting.

Experience the old British tea culture

The shop also has equipment to play records that are popular in England, the birthplace of tea culture, giving you the feeling of an atmosphere familiar to the people of England, the birthplace of tea culture. The owner, Miyamoto-san, grows tea in the hopes of connecting people through tea, and he also holds lectures and tea classes to teach about tea culture and how to enjoy it, which was very interesting.

The ginger lemon tea I enjoyed while listening to the talk was delicious. It had no bitterness and the refreshing lemon scent warmed my body, so I recommend it for people who are prone to feeling cold.

Terrace with a panoramic view of nature

From the garden terrace, you can enjoy a panoramic view of nature. The breeze is pleasant, and the swaying Japanese pampas grass (a Japanese autumn grass) gives you a sense of autumn. Tea time in an English garden is sure to be a wonderful experience.

Tea time with a spectacular view

I enjoyed Earl Grey tea and apple and sweet potato caramel cake on the terrace. The tea and cake were delicious while looking out at the magnificent natural scenery. I highly recommend sitting on the terrace unless it's a cold day. Both the apples and sweet potatoes are autumn flavors, and I was able to fully experience the season with all my senses, which was refreshing.

"ⓇEIJI MIYAMOTO" brand tea

You can also purchase "ⓇEIJI MIYAMOTO" brand tea at the cafe. I tried it in the garden and it was so delicious that I bought some to take home and enjoy at home. It's a really delicious and easy-to-drink tea with a natural aroma.

The tea, made with the maker's heartfelt care, has a deep flavor. Be sure to visit if you're looking for authentic black tea.

[ Early Morning ]

Address: 2239-8 Osa Kosakabe, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

TEL: 0867-98-3939

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays)

Parking: Available

Early Morning| Official Instagram

Access information

These three restaurants are relatively close to each other and can be easily accessed by car. Heading north from downtown Niimi on National Route 180, you will find Wagyu Restaurant Fuyusato and Okanoue no Kura Cafe (Nekorakuji). Early Morning is located on top of a mountain in the Osa district of Niimi City.

If you visit Niimi City during the autumn foliage season or ski season, be sure to stop by these shops and enjoy the delicious local cuisine and lovely atmosphere.