You can find a wide range of fine gourmet in Tomonoura. Those are only finding in a port town like Tomonoura. Not only well-known foodie like red sea beam cuisine but also seafood tea-ceremony dishes from Setouchi Sea or also you will find local Delicacies with Japanese needle fish. You will sure enjoy both gourmet and this old town.
Fukatsuya; a Very Japanese Café is renovated 150 years old folk house and is an adjacent "Sawamura marine store” which established in Edo period. The name "Fukatsuya” was given from "Sawamura Marine store”. The café's post and beams ingrained history, and in the café, you will find a bicycle or a gramophone or a bare light bulb which had been used in Meiji era. Those atmospheres created good old days. You will also find post cards or potter's ware in the café, those are good for gifts. Fukatsuya is the place you would like to make frequent trips.
When you go a short distance to North from all-night light, you will find a seaside house like Café called; "Setouchiya Kohtaro Ofuna Kayakers CAFÉ”. In front of a café, dried overnight of Japanese needlefishes were hung, and appearance of the store makes people to stop by. The Café is not only selling dried goods but also selling a wide range of products at the head of "Blue crab burger” which is a local dish of Tomonoura, and "Fukuyama Cola” or "Lemon soda”. Also the café offers seasonal foods such as skewered dumplings. The dried goods shop also available Canoe and Sea Kayak guides
Right by all-night light; a symbol of Tomonoura, you will find a Café named "Tomonoura @ Café”. The Café is a 150-years-old row house, from stylish and good-old-days design seems to be telling owner's "passion” for Tomonoura. On a sunny day, buy a cup of coffee to go, and sit on the eaves and relax for awhile. Ken Hirai looking store manager will bring you a sweet time.
This country dishes restaurant located at spacious view location. You will have wonderful views of Sensui island and Benten island from here. The restaurant offering not only Tomonoura's famous "Tai Meshi” but also offering fresh fish cuisine with a wonderful view of Tomonoura. "Setouchi Kaiseki meal” or "Chitose Kaiseki meal” are very popular menus however, No 1 recommended dish is "Tai (Red sea beam) Japanese noodle”. In particular, whole red sea beam in this Tai noodle should not be missed. Tai soup stock deeply entwined in Japanese noodles. "Chitose” is a very popular restaurant where is full occupancy at lunch time on weekdays. This is the place you would like to show up at once.
On 1st floor of Tomo Seaside Hotel, there is a 100% buckwheat noodle restaurant which is rare in Japan as well. The restaurant named "Sandaime Sakujyu”. You will feel enthusiastic attitude for food and health throughout the restaurant. The menus were with focus on 100% buckwheat used noodle and other all ingredients are also natural ingredients such as Wasabi or green onion. "100% buckwheat noodle” was cook by a gentle and peaceful manager with a passion. We assure you will meet new type of "buckwheat noodle” which had not tasted before.
The west side of Tomo bay where a road no wider than a driveway, there is a bakery. This is the only bakery in Tomonoura. While Hayao Miyazaki, the director of "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea” was staying in Tomonoura for develop its idea, he often visited this bakery. The exterior appearance of bakery is retro and lovely, and breads sold here are long-forgotten. Behind the counter, there is an oven and the owner bake breads every morning. Murakami bakery's breads will be go best with Tomo walk.
The name of restaurant "Otebi” is named for "Otebi shrine ritual”; the event of Nunakuma Shrine is the one of three major fire festivals in Japan. The menus are fresh small fish dishes special to a port town, and meat and potatoes or daily dishes. Those home-style dishes are cherish and sweet in some way and very good. And above all things, all dishes are reasonable prices. Therefore, "Otebi” is always popular with loco people. "Otebi” is the place you are able to go every day, and also very popular among tourists. You will feel relax feeling once you get in to the restaurant.
As the name, "Tourodo” was the old name for "All-night light”, the symbol of Tomonoura and "Tea Salon Tourodo” is nestled within striking distance. The tea salon opened in 2005 when the owner retired from his work. He has decided to live the place where his wife grew up for a purpose of life in post-retirement. Up to middle of Edo period, this place had been used as tea-ceremony house, but in time the place fell into to ruin. And the owner took two year of renovation. Now, this tea salon offering specialty coffees and attract widespread popularity as a place of relief.
In front of "Sensui-An”, you will see a red "thankfulness” flag waving. And the right next to Sensui-An, a building called "Tai Sensuirou”; where used to be a house of a wealthy merchant in the end of Edo period; is built. And you will see superb view of Benten Island in Setouchi Sea from here. Sensui-An” is offering Special "Taiyaki” from this luxury location. While enjoying historical building atmosphere, you will also enjoy with the delicious sweets. The tea room also offering you a cup of green tea, you will sure enjoy with it. Let's go upstairs.
"Tomo-machi Café / 454” is a distinct Italian restaurant. The restaurant is renovated "Kurata Clinic”; a parent' house of Mikio Kurata; the owner. The number "454” in the name of the café is the address of the place. This unique exterior and name (Still "Kurata Clinic” sign stands) of the Café has offering authentic Italian food. Mr. Kurata; the Owner grew up in Tomo-cho and gained cooking training in Osaka, then went to Italy for further training. His authentic Italian food is guaranteed! This is the only place that you are able to eat a pizza in Tomonoura. And also the café provides a space for relaxation.
Across the ferry dock, the west coast of Tomonoura, there is a restaurant called "Tomonoura Fish restaurant Tai-tei”. This place is famous for very tasty "Taimeshi” and often appeared in the guide books. The master chef has 50years career. When you have a chance to sit on the bar counter, you are able to see the master chef's knife cuts. You will see proficient skills while you are waiting the excellent dishes to come. This is exhilarating moment. Enjoy Tomonoura's famous Taimeshi with some wise bracing air. This is so cool.
"Save the tide Tea Salon Yagura-ya Ato” reopened in May 1st, 2012. Today, this place is as the tea Salon; however, it was originally built during Kansei period (1790's) as a merchant house. And by Meiji period, the place was renovated as Yagura-ya (a merchant where was doing Oars business), then this time again renovated as a tea Salon. Open ceiling, and you will see fine beams. From Japanese tatami room, you will see a court yard; this will make a distinguished atmosphere. This is the best and the brightest if you would like to spend a rich time in Tomonoura.
"Tabuchi-ya” uses an ex-merchant house which was doing oil wholesale business once, and now as for shop space. In side of the salon has retro atmosphere. Big mama with a warm smile offers an excellent hashed beef with rice. On the 2nd Floor, there is a Tatami (About 25 tatami space) room; you are able to use this space as a gallery space or small party venue. This place was used as a location for a movie called "Otokotachi no Yamato”. "Tabuchi-ya” preserved good old days of Showa. For sure you will like here and sure to have a comfortable time.
This is what they call "Kitchen of Showa”. "Okonomiyaki Nomura” has been a flat pancake (Okonomiyaki) business here in Tomonoura for more than 100 years. It was truly a "well-established store”. Nomura is always full of regular customers in lunch time. "Nomura” is called "Western one” from loco people. When loco people said "Why don't we eat the Western” means let's go and eat "Nomura's Okonomiyaki”. In the past, "sauce flavor” itself was a rare product, and Okonomiyaki; which put some sauce; used called "A penny Western food” "Nomura” remain the days of remnant strong.