[Shimonoseki & Ube] 4 Lunch Spots & Cafes Worth the Trip! From Local Specialties to Desserts
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The Shimonoseki and Ube area is one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s premier tourist destinations. In this article, we’ll introduce some recommended lunch spots and cafes that are perfect for a stop during your road trip! From the “Original Kawara Soba” at Kawatana Hot Spring—a dish that has been loved for over half a century—to a restaurant offering breathtaking views of the Tsunoshima Bridge, we’ll highlight spots that excel in both location and flavor.
1Original Tile Soba Restaurant Takase Kawatana Honkan/Kawatana Minami Honkan
The scorch is also delicious! TAWARA-SOBA" - tea soba served on a hot kawara tile
Kawatana hot spring is famous for its tiled soba noodles, a specialty of Kawatana hot spring that is loved not only by tourists but also by residents of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The basic style of KAWARA-SOBA is to serve brown buckwheat noodles on a hot kawara tile and dip them in dipping sauce along with other ingredients and condiments.
The tea soba is made from Hokkaido buckwheat flour kneaded with stone-ground Uji green tea, which is drained thoroughly for an hour after boiling to further concentrate the flavor. The soba noodles have a chewy, aromatic texture and the crispy texture of the tiles that heat up the soba noodles is irresistible. The sauce, a secret recipe since the establishment of the restaurant, enhances the flavor of the chasoba even more, and goes perfectly with the local Shimonoseki "Yasuoka Negi" (green onion) as a condiment.
The original taste is exceptional! The birthplace of Kawatana hot spring specialty "KAWARA-SOBA
KAWARA-SOBA was invented by the restaurant's founder, Shinichi Takase, based on a historical anecdote about soldiers grilling meat and other items on a kawara tile during the Civil War. Although more and more restaurants in the prefecture are offering the dish, the taste of the "original" is exceptional, as various secrets have been preserved for more than half a century.
At the 120-year-old "Kawatana Main Building," you can enjoy the taste of the original while reminiscing about its history. Also, don't miss the souvenir corner in the "Kawatana Minami-Honkan". You can purchase a set of home-use kawara soba noodles to enjoy on a hot plate instead of a kawara.
Local Guide
Supporters
Unameshi (2,420 yen), the signature dish along with kawara soba, is also excellent. It can be served with yakumi (condiments) or "unacha" (eel tea) in a special broth, and is also recommended to be shared as it is large enough for three bowls of tea.
- Ganso KAWARA-SOBA Takase Kawatana Honkan/Kawatana Minami Honkan
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5437 Oaza-Kawatana, Toyoura-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
Approximately 45 minutes by car from the Shimonoseki IC on the Chugoku Expressway
Take a train from JR Shimonoseki Station, get off at "Kawatana Hot Spring" and walk about 5 minutes.
Kawatana Honkan 11:00-15:00, Kawatana Minami-Honkan 11:00-20:00
Kawatana Main Building: Monday - Friday (open on national holidays)
Kawatana Minami-Honkan: Open all year round (with occasional holidays)
083-772-2680
Free of charge
2Haru-ya
Oversized buns with plenty of ingredients! The Kakunoshima Burger is a hearty burger!
The restaurant is located on a small hill with a white triangular roof and offers a view of the Kakunoshima Bridge, one of the most scenic spots in the prefecture. The famous "Kakunoshima Burger" is a hearty burger, with a thick patty, fried squid rings, shrimp, and plenty of vegetables such as tomatoes on an oversized bun measuring 15 cm in length. The burger's flavor changes as you bite into it, and the fact that you can eat it in one bite is proof of the burger's deliciousness.
In addition, we recommend sharing the various pasta dishes, "Kakushima Curry," and other menu items, including the burger.
The best location overlooking the spectacular Kakunoshima Ohashi Bridge!
The restaurant is also a great place to eat or take a break during sightseeing in the Kakunoshima area, which is full of attractions, and is popular not only for lunch but also as a café. Don't miss out on the excellent pancakes, parfaits, and other sweets.
While many restaurants in the area close early in the evening, this café is open until 7:00 p.m. on weekends and even later during peak seasons such as summer and GW, which is another reason for its reputation for ease of use. In addition to the sunset, you can even enjoy a relaxing night view on certain days, although confirmation is required.
Local Guide
Supporters
Mochipekko" is an original sweet sold only at this restaurant group. Mochipekko is an original sweet sold only at this shop group. It is made of sweet bean paste and rice cake wrapped in pie dough and baked, and is popular as a souvenir. The "Mochipekko Soft Parfait" is also highly recommended.
- Haru House
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- 2052-12 Kandatsukeno, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
- Approximately 60 minutes by car from the Shimonoseki Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway.
- 11:00-19:00
- Closed on a monthly basis via SNS
- 083-786-0123
- Free of charge
Hours of operation vary depending on the season (extended hours during the summer, etc.)
3LAUGH CAFE & BAKE
Patissier's specialty quiche on a lunch plate
This popular café is located in the countryside in the suburbs of Ube City. The terrace seating can be used with pets. Lunch attracts a lot of attention, especially among women. In addition to the famous "quiche plate," the café offers five different kinds of dishes, including a "shrimp mayo plate" and a "black vinegar-acid pork plate.
The quiche is richly flavored with four kinds of cheese, including Edam and Gruyere cheeses, and is very satisfying. The quiche is carefully handmade from the pie crust, and seasonal vegetables such as sweet potatoes, zucchini, and pumpkin are used for the filling.
Owner's patissier's excellent sweets are also a source of pride!
In addition to the delicious lunch, the owner's patissier's signature sweets are not to be missed. To enjoy them in the restaurant, customers can choose from the showcase next to the entrance. The colorful selection includes strawberries, melon, and other seasonal fruit cakes, chocolate tarts, tiramisu, cheesecake, and about 20 other varieties. In many cases, the cakes are so popular that most are sold out by 2:00 p.m., when the last orders for lunch are taken.
We recommend that you come in early, including for lunch, but you can also call to place a hold on cakes.
Local Guide
Supporters
The sweets and quiches made by the owner patissier, who honed his skills at a long-established hotel in Yokohama for 15 years, are exquisite! The showcase with all kinds of sweets is a spectacular sight shortly after opening.
- LAUGH CAFE & BAKE
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- 331-1 Yajo, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 20 min. by car from Jumonji Interchange on Ogori Hagi Road
- 11:00-18:00 (Lunch L.O. 14:00)
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays
- 0836-67-1725
- Free of charge
- Closing hours may vary depending on the season, and temporary closings are announced on SNS.
4Shikashi Wagashi
Neo" wagashiya is rapidly gaining popularity as a new hot spring attraction in Kawatana Onsen.
Located along Route 191, not far from Kawatana hot spring town, the store's stylish exterior with its white "noren" curtain fluttering in the wind catches the eye. The catchphrase "Neo Wagashiya" (neo Japanese confectionery) further stimulates interest in the products. The most popular item is the "Warabicha," which is also popular for its photogenic qualities.
First, customers select a drink from three types of lattes (matcha, hojicha, and kuromitsu kinako soy milk), and then choose one of five types of strawbimochi made in the company's own factory, including plain, brown sugar, and baked sweet potato strawbies, to combine. The matcha, hojicha, and kinako (soybean flour) are carefully selected by a long-established shop. The matcha and hojicha teas and soybean flour are carefully selected by a long-established shop. They are a perfect match for the warabimochi, making for an addictive taste experience.
While preserving the tradition of Japanese confectionery, the shop explores flavors from a new perspective.
The dumplings are a little different from the usual, but they are still wagashi. The store's policy is to create new wagashi while respecting the fundamentals of tradition. The names are unintentionally comforting and the innovative and stylish appearance is photogenic.
The most talked-about item is the "Melting Gokujo Warabi," which is a freshly made warabi mochi using the highest quality domestic warabi flour. Because the unique firmness of the mochi disappears as it cools, the shelf life of the mochi is set at a mere one hour. We hope you will enjoy this delicious treat, a perfect souvenir of your trip.
Local Guide
Supporters
In addition to limited-edition products made from seasonal ingredients such as sweet potatoes, strawberries, and pine muscats, there is also a delicious array of products that match the calendar, such as tsukimi dango (dumplings for moon viewing) and o-hagi (rice balls for the equinoxes). The lemon soda "Warabicha" available in summer is also highly recommended.
- But Wagashi
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- 7305-1 Kawatana, Toyoura-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
- Approximately 30 minutes from the Shimonoseki IC on the Chugoku Expressway.
- From JR Shimonoseki Station, take a bus to "Mare Toyoura-mae" or "Kawatana Station" and walk about 3 minutes.
- 9:00-17:00
- Thursdays
- 083-250-9076
- Free of charge
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Mayumi Fujita Leave your Yamaguchi Prefecture travel information to us!
RISONARE Shimonoseki
Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture
A hotel with a perfect location overlooking the Kanmon Straits, where you can fully enjoy your stay.
Access by bus About 10 minutes by bus from JR Shimonoseki Station.
- Example of Accommodation Rates
- 1 person per night From 12,000 yen