In Tondabayashi, Terada-cho, there are several nice cafes, which I had seen in a cafe feature magazine a while back, so I had always wanted to visit. When I finally decided to go, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. I went on a Sunday evening and unfortunately, many of the cafes I had in mind were either closed or closing early. Feeling disappointed, I stumbled upon one cafe that seemed to be open, although the entrance had a slightly intimidating atmosphere as it was a renovated old house. However, I mustered up the courage to ask the friendly staff if I could use the cafe, and they warmly welcomed me in with a casual Kansai dialect. The interior had various tables, sofas, and mismatched furniture, giving off a cozy and welcoming vibe. The menu was simple, with the staff offering either hot tea or coffee, and I opted for coffee, which was served in a huge mug that surprised me. The coffee was delicious, and the cafe also had some lifestyle magazines for guests to read. Overall, it had a lovely and homely atmosphere, and I felt like it was a gathering place for locals. If this cafe was in my neighborhood, I would definitely want to become friends with it. It was a delightful experience. Menu Ordered: Hot Coffee 450 yen

After finishing a 2-hour photo shoot with my friends in Teramachi, feeling exhausted and hungry in the heat, we finally arrived at this restaurant. A very friendly couple greeted us. For lunch that day, there were two main options, and we chose the tempura chicken and seasonal vegetable assortment. First, somen noodles and five side dishes were served. The side dishes were made with seasonal vegetables and were a delightful variety. Even though we were already quite full from the side dishes and noodles, the tempura arrived late. It was a generous portion with hot okra, pumpkin, burdock, and another vegetable. The tempura chicken was also quite large. Despite feeling full from the side dishes, we managed to finish the tempura easily. The oil used for frying was not heavy, and the tempura was well-cooked. After the meal, we were served iced coffee in a large cup. For dessert, we had watermelon and ice cream. The meal was simple but each dish had its own unique flavor, making it a satisfying lunch set. The dessert was supposed to be just watermelon, but we also received complimentary ice cream. The rich ice cream was a satisfying end to the meal. The total cost was 2000 yen including tax. The host couple was very friendly, especially the hostess who shared information about various classes and products sold in the shop without being pushy. There were some clothes for sale that caught my eye, so I might go back to buy them another day.

The 150-year-old traditional house cafe is a cozy place with tatami rooms, 4 tables, and comfortable sofas where you can choose your favorite seat. The owner is very friendly and kind, showing me a photo of TOKIO's Joshima-kun visiting the cafe on a TV show. They also gave me a map of Teranai-cho in Tomitaka, which was very helpful. I even had a chance to read a book called "The Story of Ishigami Tsuyako." The menu includes a set of garlic rice omelet rice with a drink for 1860 yen, and cold dipping tempura udon with a side dish and drink for 1680 yen. The vegetable tempura udon was generous, and the rice was delicious. The side dishes were also tasty, especially the pickled eggplant and spicy bell pepper. The drinks were served in large sizes, and there were workshops available for making moss balls and pressed flowers. The atmosphere was very comfortable, and there was even a massage session going on in the back. The cafe also sells clothes and accessories, and there is a cute cat in the garden outside. The owners were very helpful in recommending tourist spots in Teranai-cho, such as the filming location for "Kamukamu Everybody" and the picturesque street of Jyonomon-suji. I also visited a glass exhibition at a nearby gallery and found a lovely glass vase to take home. Overall, it was a satisfying experience, and the convenient parking space in front of the cafe was a bonus. Thank you for the hospitality!

I have been repeating and visiting this lunch spot many times. The charm of the place lies in the various "obanzai" dishes made from the ingredients carefully selected by the skilled owner. Each dish makes you think, "Oh, this combination works so well!" to the point where you'll want to take notes. If your daily cooking has become monotonous, be sure to visit "Yuupuku" for some wonderful meals.