Local Guide
6 recommended cafes in the Nagato, Mine, and Shimonoseki areas of Yamaguchi Prefecture

For a quick break between trips, we recommend a café where you can take a breather. Spending a leisurely time at one of these cafes will relieve not only the fatigue of your trip, but also the fatigue of your daily life. The Nagato, Mine, and Shimonoseki areas of Yamaguchi Prefecture are dotted with stylish cafes. Here are six of the most highly recommended.

A place where you can enjoy the owner's carefully selected specialty coffees and handmade sweets.

Hagiyaki de latte
Hagiyaki de latte" (470 yen) and "creme brulee" (420 yen), a gentle taste made by hand with simple ingredients.

Established in 2004 as "Hirota Coffee Shop" and renovated into a self-service coffee shop in 2015. Although the name and format of the store has changed, the original idea of "delivering fresh and aromatic home-roasted coffee" has remained unchanged to the present day.
The coffee offered is the owner's carefully selected specialty coffee, in which the place of origin, farm, producer, variety, and refining method are all clearly identified. We recommend the "Hagiyaki de Latte," which is served in a Hagiyaki cup. Crème brûlée" made with local eggs, Hokkaido cream, and other carefully selected ingredients is popular among men and women of all ages.

Charming retro atmosphere in a renovated former agricultural cooperative building

A calm space with dark brown floorboards and white walls. The high ceiling and sunlight streaming in through the windows are impressive.
A calm space with dark brown floorboards and white walls. The high ceiling and sunlight streaming in through the windows are impressive.

The café, renovated from a former agricultural cooperative, is marked by the magnificent ivy covering the entire building. It looks as if a forest has suddenly appeared on Misuzu Street. Surprisingly, the ivy was only crawling along the exterior wall of the entrance when it was established.
The interior of the restaurant features a high ceiling with a sense of openness. The tables, chairs, floorboards, and beams are all dark brown, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Soft sunlight shines through the windows, and the green of the ivy shines through beautifully. The owner says, "We serve coffee that is not modern, but deep and full-bodied. The owner says, "We serve coffee that is not modern, but deep and full-bodied.

Local Guide Comment
Coffee beans and baked goods are also available for purchase. There are always more than 10 varieties of coffee beans available, including drip packs and watered coffee packs. The handmade icing cookies, which are not only cute but also taste great, make great souvenirs!
Cafe Struggle
  • Address 1410-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 min. walk from JR Senzaki Station
  • Business hours 10:00-18:00
  • Closed Thursdays
  • TEL 0837-26-1550
  • Parking Free of charge

Cafe with tatami mats where you can enjoy coffee roasted with a hand-rotating roaster.

Home-made blended coffee
Home-made blended coffee" (350 yen), roasted in house. The chiffon cake (400 yen) is discounted 50 yen if paired with coffee.

The cafe is popular for its home-roasted coffee and the sweets that go with it. The coffee is carefully roasted in small batches by the owner using a hand-operated roasting machine, and is available in two varieties: the light-tasting "Awasuki," a blend of four types of beans, and the rich-tasting "Kodama," a blend of five types of beans, both of which have a strong aroma and are well received.
The fluffy chiffon cakes served in the store are from "Le reve," a rice-flour chiffon cake specialty store in the city, and go great with coffee. The type of cake changes depending on the season, and on this particular day it was lemon-flavored with a refreshing sourness that filled my mouth.

Renovated from an old private house. The Japanese-style room has been converted into a tatami space with a small tatami floor.

In addition to counter seats, there are window seats with a view of the outside, tatami mats where you can stretch out your legs, table seats, and various other seating options.
In addition to counter seats, there are window seats with a view of the outside, tatami mats where you can stretch out your legs, table seats, and various other seating options.

The owner of this renovated old private house wants customers to "take off their shoes and relax," so he has created a small tatami space in a Japanese-style room, perfect for relaxing after a long journey.
The owner, who used to be a member of the Nagato City Regional Development Cooperation Team, was involved in the utilization and revitalization of vacant houses during his term of office, and this cafe is, so to speak, the culmination of his activities. The café aims to be a crossroads between locals and tourists visiting Senzaki, a base for travel and outdoor activities, and is well-loved by local customers.

Local Guide Comment
We also recommend the "Ebisu Egg Rich Egg Sandwich" (400 yen), which is a sandwich of a thick egg with a crispy outer layer. Incidentally, the names of the coffee products, "Awayuki" and "Kodama," were named after poems by Nagato's nursery rhyme poet, Misuzu Kaneko.
SNOW DRIP COFFEE
  • Address 1428-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 8 min. walk from JR Senzaki Station
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00
  • Closed Sunday - Wednesday
  • TEL 090-8068-2467
  • Parking Free of charge

A café with a spectacular view where juicy, hearty hamburgers are the specialty.

Country hamburger steak (1,950 yen). It comes with a salad using local vegetables as the main ingredient and homemade bread or rice.
Country hamburger steak (1,950 yen). It comes with a salad using local vegetables as the main ingredient and homemade bread or rice.

The café stands on the hill of Senzaki, a tourist attraction in Nagato City. Dishes are handmade using local ingredients as much as possible, right down to the sauces. The bread is also homemade with natural yeast.
The most popular item for lunch is the "Country Hamburger Steak. The hamburger steak is made with 250 grams of Japanese ground beef and carefully kneaded by hand, making it plump and juicy. It is generously coated with a sauce made from simmered vegetables and served with grilled potatoes, onions, and carrot glaze on the side. A salad made with fresh seasonal vegetables and rice or homemade bread are included in this satisfying menu.

The endless sea and greenery! The spectacular view from 333 meters above sea level is also an attraction.

Because the restaurant stands on top of the hill of Senjidashiki, beautiful views can be seen from the windows. Enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view from the rooftop observation deck.
Because the restaurant stands on top of the hill of Senjidashiki, beautiful views can be seen from the windows. Enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view from the rooftop observation deck.

The cafe is located on top of a hill at an altitude of 333 meters above sea level. From the windows, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the islands in the Sea of Japan and the seemingly endless grasslands. If the view through the window is not enough, be sure to climb the exterior stairs to the rooftop observation deck. You will be impressed by the unobstructed 360-degree panorama and the contrast between the blue of the sky and sea and the green of the mountains and grasslands!
The owner says, "Refresh your body and soul with the beautiful view and delicious food. If you want to relieve your fatigue, sweet treats such as crepes and waffles are recommended.

Local Guide Comment
Natural yeast bread is also sold next to the cash register. The type of bread sold that day will be announced on the Facebook page. Lunch ends as soon as it runs out, so we recommend going early to ensure a meal.
Country kitchen
  • Address 1138-1 Hiokinaka, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from JR Nagato Furuichi Station.
  • Business hours Open 11:00-17:00
  • Closed Thursdays *Closed on weekends from December to February
  • TEL 0837-37-3824
  • Parking Free of charge

A cafe where you can enjoy coffee brewed with sake brewing water

Blended coffee
Blended coffee" brewed with sake brewing water (500 yen) and homemade "Sake Kasu Cheesecake" (500 yen)

Located next to the Omine Sake Brewery in Mine City, the coffee brewed with sake brewing water is a hot topic of conversation. The brewing water used is spring water from "Beppu Benten Pond," one of the 100 best waters in Japan, with a clear blue color. The "blended coffee," made by roasting and blending four types of beans to match the water, is characterized by its rich aroma and refreshing taste.
The "Sake Kasu Cheesecake" with a slight aroma of sakekasu (sake lees) is a perfect accompaniment to the coffee. We also recommend the "Comparison of 3 Sake Sets" (1,000 yen), which allows you to taste the sake brewed here.

Enjoy a cup of coffee while gazing at the tranquil countryside. Sake brewery goods are also available.

The interior of the restaurant has a simple, sophisticated design with white as its base color. Outside the large windows, the tranquil scenery of Mine City spreads out.
The interior of the restaurant has a simple, sophisticated design with white as its base color. Outside the large windows, the tranquil scenery of Mine City spreads out.

The pure white building stands out in the quiet countryside with mountains and rice paddies. If you look closely, you can see the shape of a grain of sake rice floating on the front wall. The interior of the restaurant has a stylish atmosphere with white as its base color and no unnecessary decorations. The restaurant has counter seats, table seats, and terrace seats, and the large windows offer a view of the rich nature of Mine City.
Near the entrance, sake brewed here and stylish limited-edition sake brewery goods such as T-shirts, caps, and tote bags are available for purchase. In the back of the store, visitors can watch the sake brewing process through the window.

Local Guide Comment
The brewery was closed in 1955 and was revived in 2010, more than half a century later. We invite you to taste their beautiful sake, which is made with a respect for tradition while incorporating new ideas.
Omine Sake Brewery Cafe
  • Address 2585-2 Beppu, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 20 min. from JR Mine Station by car.
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Mine Station, get off at Takada-bashi (Takada Bridge), and walk about 1 minute.
  • Business Hours 10:00-17:00 (L.O. 16:30)
  • Closed Year-end and New Year's holidays
  • Parking Free of charge

A café where you can enjoy a menu using local ingredients while gazing at the train

The lineup of seasonal drinks changes weekly (650 yen each) and
The lineup of seasonal drinks changes weekly (650 yen each) and "Tawarayama Deer Meat Frankfurters" (600 yen).

This café is located on the grounds of Agawa Station on the JR Sanin Line. It offers drinks and food made from fresh local vegetables, herbs, seasonal fruits, and wild boar, venison, and other game meat. The most popular item is the "Seasonal Drink," a quick and easy way to taste local delicacies. On this day, there were refreshing summery ones such as "Hioki (Heki) plum soda," "Nagato red shiso and apple cider vinegar squash," and "Agawa plum soda.
For a casual taste of gibier cuisine, we recommend the "Tawarayama Deer Meat Frankfurters. The wild flavor with spices and overflowing juices make it a satisfying meal.

The station and its scenery are a place of rest and relaxation. There is also a sales space lined with local products.

All glass walls blend in with the surrounding landscape. The goal was to make the entire area, including the scenery and station building, a place of relaxation.
All glass walls blend in with the surrounding landscape. The goal was to make the entire area, including the scenery and station building, a place of relaxation.

The concept is "kiosk in a small town. The word "kiosk" is used in Japan to mean a station kiosk, but in the Middle East and the Mediterranean it means a pavilion. The image of convenience and comfort is the former, while the casualness and the building itself is the latter. In order to create a place for people to gather and relax, including the surrounding area, the restaurant is entirely made of glass, blending in with the landscape without any sense of incongruity.
The restaurant has only three seats at the counter, but tables are available outside, and couches and a waiting room along the platform are also available. The sales space with local specialties and other items is also well received.

Local Guide Comment
They use ingredients with the producer's face whenever possible. To taste fresh vegetables and gibier at the same time, we recommend the "Curry with Seasonal Vegetables and Venison" (950 yen). For those who want to explore the area around the station, rental bicycles are also available.
Agawa
  • Address Ooaza Agawa, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
  • Direction Right in front of JR Agawa Station.
  • Business hours 11:00-16:30
  • Closed Monday-Friday
  • Parking Free of charge

Cafe by the sea where espresso lattes are popular

Refreshing and refreshing
Refreshing and refreshing "grapefruit squash" (550 yen) and moderately sweet "caramel latte ice cream" (650 yen)

This café offers a relaxing moment while enjoying the view of Doigahama Beach, with its white beach and clear waters. We recommend the various lattes that use espresso extracted from carefully selected coffee beans. In particular, the "Caramel Latte Iced Cream" with a slight bitterness of caramel is very popular not only for its taste but also for the gradation of espresso and milk that gradually mixes into the latte.
The menu includes the "Meat Sauce Hot Sandwich" (650 yen) and "Chiffon Cake" (450 yen), which have been offered since the restaurant opened, as well as sweets made from ingredients available at the time.

The cobalt blue of the ocean and the blue of the sky. The view on a clear day is breathtaking!

The terrace seats facing the ocean with a spectacular view. Recommended not only during the day when the weather is clear, but also at sunset when the sky and sea are tinged with madder colors.
The terrace seats facing the ocean with a spectacular view. Recommended not only during the day when the weather is clear, but also at sunset when the sky and sea are tinged with madder colors.

Nestled on a small hill along Route 191, this café was established in 2019. It is now known as "Shimonoseki's café with a spectacular view" and attracts many visitors from inside and outside the city. The name of the restaurant, "ZERO CAFE," was inspired by the "soil" of Doigahama, plus or minus zero, and was given in the hope that it would be a place where one could "become zero. It also means that he quit his job at the age of 50 and started the cafe from scratch.
The owner says, "I want people to relax and look at the beautiful ocean with a cup of coffee in one hand and flatten their minds. It is the perfect place to stop by and refresh yourself.

Local Guide Comment
In one corner of the Parking lot, there is an Airstream, an American camping trailer with a familiar silver body, which you can see inside. It will be moved to Doigahama Beach during the summer, and will make for great SNS photos.
ZERO CAFE
  • Address 738 Kandagami, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
  • Direction Approx. 10 min. by car from JR Tokugyu Stn.
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Nagato Futami Station, get off at Okabayashi, and walk 5 minutes.
  • Business hours 11:00-19:00 (L.O.18:30), Sat.
  • Closed Open daily *Closed in case of inclement weather
  • TEL 083-786-0500
  • Parking Free of charge
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.