Business trip! Lunch refugee wandering around JR Yagi Station in Minami Tanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture. The diner "Maruya" has a retro Showa-era exterior, but the inside is even more Showa-era with an elderly lady over 80 years old. However, once you enter, you feel cozy. Looking at the menu, there are over 40 choices. I chose the chicken tempura set for 840 yen, while my friend stuck to the basics with the Chinese noodles for 600 yen. There was only one customer when we arrived, but by noon, more people started arriving from the JR station, including elderly couples and others ordering tonkatsu, omurice, and Western-style set meals. The set meals served were beautifully presented on a plate comparable to a Western-style restaurant. The food was delicious and satisfying, so we left with contentment.

Maruya Restaurant Review: Maruya restaurant is located in front of JR Yagi Station with a parking lot next to it. They have a wide variety of menu options. I had a hearty breakfast, so I ordered the Chinese soba and B lunch set to share with my wife. Chinese Soba (560 yen): The soup is quite oily and has pepper sprinkled on top. The noodles and soup have a taste that reminds me of the Showa era, nostalgic and delicious. B Lunch Set (1000 yen): The set includes fried chicken, tonkatsu with sauce, and sides of potato salad, spaghetti, and boiled egg. The fried chicken and tonkatsu were crispy and not greasy, very tasty! Overall, the food was delicious and the service was great. The restaurant is taking proper COVID-19 precautions with spaced out seating and vinyl sheets. Most of the customers seemed to be regulars, but the hostess treated us newcomers with equal kindness. It was a relaxing dining experience. Thank you!

I never really forgot about the existence of that restaurant. It had a run-down appearance near the rural train station, making it hard to tell if it was open or closed whenever I passed by. The restaurant had that same impression for over 20 years. Recently, they put up some signs along the highway saying "Parking Available." Without much thought, I suddenly felt like stopping by for a taste test during this carefree moment. For young people unfamiliar with this area, it might be quite an adventure in every aspect. But for someone like me with a sense of nostalgia, it was just a casual visit. The restaurant run by an elderly couple was just as I had imagined. The parent and child bowl I ordered was just as I expected, with no issues or discomfort. As I drove away, I felt a faint nostalgia for the distant past, only to be pulled back into the harsh reality of the lingering summer heat. It was a summer experience to remember.

My first visit... It was the worst. The interior of the restaurant was dimly lit and lacked cleanliness. There was an elderly couple and a son-like figure. Even after sitting down, they took a long time to come and take our order. I ordered the fish (sea bream) fry set, but wait, just one piece? I was shocked. And for 770 yen, it was just too much.

I watched a TV show yesterday where they were interviewing Yasushi Kiyoshi at this place. The omurice looked delicious. Yeah, I want to eat it! So, I decided to go to Yagi for a workout. The climb up the hill was tough. The wind from the typhoon was strong too. But it was delicious. They make everything fresh after you order. It takes a bit of time, but the taste really hits the spot. I highly recommend it for cyclists. They also have a variety of set meals. It's easy to find at the foot of JR Yagi Station. The charming old lady there is also a nice touch.

"Maruya" is a traditional diner located in front of JR Yagi Station. It is said to have been established for over 100 years. The nostalgic Showa retro atmosphere is charming. The "Joan Omurice" is a popular dish inspired by the historical drama "Kirin ga Kuru," named after Naito Joan (Nyorai). It is a simple omurice with "Joan" written in ketchup, but its straightforward simplicity is well-received. Inside, the classic chicken rice with chunks of chicken and ketchup rice delivers deliciousness as expected. The uniquely flavored Chinese soba noodles are also simple yet delicious. The affordable price of 560 yen (at the time of the visit) is also appreciated. When you dine here, you can receive a stamp of Yagi Castle from the Yagi Town Tourist Association. It makes for a nice memento.