Snack time at Shinonome Charyo in Jiyu Gakuen. I didn't expect to find Italian gelato from Dalciarno in Hachioji here! I tried the strawberry mille-feuille. The gelato had a nice milky taste with a refreshing touch. The pudding tasted homemade, like Mateo's pudding. I really liked it! They also had Dambra tea. Even though it was a tea bag, they kindly offered to refill it if needed. The total cost was 1030 yen, which was wallet-friendly. After taking a photo, the place started to fill up even though it was raining. It seems like a cozy spot for locals to relax. #ShinonomeCharyo #Dalciarno #ItalianGelato #HibarigaokaSweets

Today is Mother's Day. I had lunch with my mother at Jiyu Gakuen Shinonome Charyo. The menu for today was Gabao rice. For dessert, we had homemade pudding. Jiyu Gakuen celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and is a school that pays attention to details in its buildings and furniture. In Ikebukuro, where it was located before moving to Hibarigaoka, there is a building called Asuka-kan designed by the same architect as the first Imperial Hotel. Even in Hibarigaoka, you can feel the attention to detail in certain areas. We enjoyed a hearty lunch made with farm-fresh produce while looking out at the lush green garden. The Gabao rice had a subtle flavor without overpowering spices, resembling a Western-style seasoned rice dish. The pudding also had a simple and rustic taste.

On October 28, 2020, Wednesday, around 12:30 pm, my husband and I visited a cafe called Shinonome, operated by Jiyu Gakuen, a school from kindergarten to high school. The cafe had a calm atmosphere with simple decor. We ordered the lunch set, which consisted of a three-meal bowl, spinach with yuzu dressing, and sweet potato simmered in soy sauce. The portion was like a school lunch, but the taste was light and delicious. We also enjoyed hot coffee and tea afterwards. The cafe also sells bread, and it's a great place for those interested in Jiyu Gakuen. The school's architecture is impressive, and visitors can explore the campus freely. Although the price may seem a bit high for the portion, the experience is worth it. We felt proud that Jiyu Gakuen is located in Hibari-ga-oka and Higashi-Kurume. The cafe is popular among housewives and families, and we had a pleasant time there. My wife plans to visit again for the French toast brunch next time.

The atmosphere was comfortable and the food was truly delicious. The somen was excellent.

The staff at the restaurant were very polite and the first impression was great. The lunch had a homemade taste which was good. The variety of bread for sale was abundant and delicious. I would like to visit again.

I had peach tart and gratin. The peach tart was big and really delicious!

I took the bread home. It was delicious.

If you go a little further from Hibarigaoka Station, you will come across a high-end residential area that was once sold in blocks of 300 tsubo each in the past. This is Gakuencho in Higashikurume City. As you walk through this residential area, you will find Jiyu Gakuen. The atmosphere of the building here gives a sense of the influence of F.L. Wright, the architect of the old school building in Ikebukuro. The café's tables are designed by Endo, a disciple of Wright. You can order a cake set while looking out at the lush garden through the window. The coffee is pesticide-free forest coffee, with a rich and delicious taste that is not too bitter or acidic. The pound cakes served with it are surprisingly delicious! The price for this set (500 yen) in such a charming atmosphere is unbelievable! This is a hidden gem for sure~ I've always wanted to visit this café, and now I am amazed by the quality of Jiyu Gakuen. I'll take some cookies to meet my friends tomorrow. I must come back for lunch next time! The café also has a space where children can play in the garden, which is heartwarming. It was mentioned that this space is not only for children and their parents but also for "elderly people who interact with children." What an eye-opener. Keep it up, Jiyu Gakuen! It's not just delicious, but also a community café, which is truly wonderful. Oh, I wish I could have been a graduate of this place. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I wanted to try the canned cookies from Jiyu Gakuen, so I stopped by on my way back from work, driving nearby. It's in a residential area a little away from the station, with a similar atmosphere to the route I used to take to my university, making me feel nostalgic. Suddenly, a lovely building appeared. There is a coin parking lot next to it. Jiyu Gakuen is a school that has a mysterious and intriguing vibe. I haven't been there yet, but I also want to visit Asakusa's Asakusa Hall. I'm happy to be able to come to this place I've always admired. The cafe feels like a school cafeteria. Several mothers with small children were having tea. I looked for the canned cookies in the corner, but it seemed they were not available here. However, they were selling them in small bags, so I bought those. I also tried a 2-piece for 100 yen sandwich and a cheese-filled roll bread. The cookies tasted like homemade or similar to Izumiya's cookies. They had a variety of assortments, so I enjoyed them. The bread also had a homemade taste. They were made with proper ingredients and didn't have any weird stuff in them. They were all very delicious. I think I'll buy the coveted canned cookies next time. I'm thinking of going back next month when I have work again.

Shinonome Cafe at Jiyu Gakuen Shinonome Dormitory is located about a 10-minute walk from Hibari-ga-oka Station. Jiyu Gakuen, designed by Wright, including the Mejiro Asuka Hall, has simple yet stylish architecture, interior, and stools. They use pesticide-free coffee "Mori no Coffee" from the Ginza cafe "Paulista," which served as the model for "Cafe Domingo" in "Hanako and Anne." I had a coffee and pound cake set, and the coffee had a rich aroma while the cake was simple and delicious. They also sell cookies, bread, and books by the founders, the Hanin couple. The terrace when the cherry blossoms bloom looks inviting. It's a hidden gem cafe.

The fundamental of human existence lies in food and lifestyle, and the Free School in Hibarigaoka aims to nurture individuals from this foundation. One of their initiatives is the "Free School Clubhouse Shinonome," which is a renovated former student dormitory open to the community. On the ground floor of Shinonome is a cafe lounge called "Shinonome," where you can enjoy freshly baked bread made for Free School students, homemade cookies from the Free School Meal Research Group, and freshly brewed coffee and tea. The cafe has a clean and spacious white interior with stylish tables and chairs, reminiscent of the Free School's Asahi-kan building. We ordered a coffee and a latte, both made with organic, pesticide-free "Forest Coffee." The latte I had was light and delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness. We also bought some freshly baked bread to take home, including sandwich bread, curry bread, and chocolate Danish, all of which were tasty and perfect for Free School students. Next to the cafe, you can find a cookie sales area run by the Free School Meal Research Group, offering cookies wrapped in white paper with a pink ribbon. Although a bit pricey, these cookies are surprisingly delicious, light, and crispy, making them the best I've ever had. The cookie sales area operates from 10:00 to 16:30, closed on Wednesdays, Sundays, holidays, in August, and during the year-end and New Year holidays. However, you can also try their cookies at the cafe for a small fee before deciding to purchase a tin. For fans of Free School cookies, this is a must-visit spot!

I discovered and purchased the cookie at the "Tamaroku and Local Gourmet Festival in Kurume". I had heard about it before from someone and had always wanted to try it, so I was lucky to find it. It has a simple yet enjoyable crispy texture and a pleasant flavor of wheat bran. I really liked it. It's only about a 10-minute walk from my home, so I plan to visit the café while taking a stroll.