ねりまる
Located near the East Kyushu Expressway viaduct on Route 58 in Miyako-cho, Kyoto-gun, this restaurant is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a long-established store known for its kettle-cooked rice. The kitchen and seating area are spacious, housed in a standalone building that is easy to access.
I used the one-day unlimited ride ticket for the Heisei Chikuhou Railway to take a trip, getting off at a station that caught my interest along the way. After buying a cake at Biyakoi Station, the next train was scheduled to arrive in 40 minutes when I returned to the station. Looking at the map, I realized the next station was close by, so I decided to walk and reached it in about 10 minutes. The next station, Imagawakappa, had a grand name but was also unmanned like the previous station. The rural scenery in front of the station included a river flowing leisurely past a bank in the distance.
I searched for a sushi restaurant within walking distance and found one about 5-6 minutes away. When I arrived, I noticed that the restaurant's exterior was run-down, and it seemed to be closed. After searching for another nearby sushi restaurant, I found one that seemed to be open for the holiday about 2-3 km away. While walking there, I enjoyed a cake by the tidal flat and leisurely strolled along the narrow sidewalk until I arrived at the restaurant.
The restaurant had a spacious property and a dignified appearance, with a sign indicating "Established 50 years" and "Kettle-cooked rice" below the roadside sign. I confirmed that it was open and entered the restaurant, where I was greeted warmly by the waitress and seated at the counter on the left side of the entrance. The counter was lined with relatively young chefs, some of whom had mustaches and beards, which was unusual for chefs. I ordered a Kyushu Kiku junmai ginjo sake, which is brewed by the Hayashi Ryuuhei Sake Brewery in the same town of Miyako-cho, Fukuoka Prefecture.
I ordered sashimi and other dishes to accompany the sake. The pickled ginger had a strong vinegar taste with a slightly diluted flavor. The sashimi, including abalone, was skillfully prepared and delicious. I also ordered a kappa maki, which had a fresh cucumber and seaweed flavor. However, the kettle-cooked rice was a bit soft and lacked the desired texture. I also tried some seasonal nigiri, with the recommended item being saury. I also ordered mackerel as a finishing dish, which had a light saltiness and was enjoyable to eat.
Overall, the fish quality was good, but the service was lacking as the young chefs seemed more focused on their own conversations than on customer interactions. Despite this, I was able to enjoy the food and consider it a decent dining experience. The nearest station was about a 30-minute walk away, and like the previous stations, Toyotsu Station was unmanned and familiar to me.