[2013.8 Visit] I went to Ogasawara Island, one of the Izu Seven Islands, for a dolphin watching tour. We took a small boat that could fit 7-8 people and went around the island, diving at several spots. Both my daughter and I are complete beginners, but we were thrilled to encounter swimming dolphins multiple times. After the tour, we had dinner at the most stylish izakaya on the island, Kanburi. Well, there are only two izakayas on the island! We had draft beer, salad, fried potatoes, pizza, and grilled fish. I wish I had bought the original T-shirt from there - I'll get one next time I visit! 😊

Located in the center of Mikurajima, this restaurant is entirely made of wood, creating a stylish atmosphere. I heard that it is made only from wood sourced from Mikurajima. The lighting is subdued, creating a calm and relaxing ambiance. Surrounded by natural materials, it feels very comforting. There are table seats as well as a counter in the back, making it suitable for couples or groups. They have a wide selection of Izu Islands shochu and cocktails. Since it was hot today, I decided to order a draft beer. They also offer non-alcoholic beer. The menu board in the restaurant makes it easy to choose, and I went with the "local fish sashimi" and "mixed pizza." It's a luxury to enjoy various drinks while eating snacks. The restaurant seems to be popular among locals, with many regular customers. If you're looking to have a good time in Mikurajima at night, it's worth making the trip to this restaurant.

Before going to Okuzushima, I did some research on the tourism association's website to find out about places to drink. It was listed as an izakaya, but when I arrived at the shop, it was more stylish than I had imagined. Upon entering, you take off your shoes and put on slippers. Inside, on the left side, there are table seats with sofas, and on the right side, there are counter seats, which are more lively. The customers included not only tourists like me but also locals who seemed to come for drinks. Even if you are alone, you won't feel bored in this atmosphere. Since I had a proper dinner at the inn, I ordered mixed nuts and salami cheese for snacks. I also asked for a beer. Looking at the menu, there were many types of cocktails available. The beer tasted especially delicious when my skin was a bit sunburned and warm.

One of the few dining options on Mikurajima. It operates as a café during the day and transforms into an izakaya at night, which is quite a unique concept. It is also the only cake shop on the island. Despite being an izakaya at night, the atmosphere is not chaotic but rather a calm and elegant space for dining. I would like to ask someone for their thoughts on the izakaya experience at night, but for now, I will share my impressions of the café during the day. The specialty of this café is their roll cakes. They have a variety of options available rather than a fixed selection. While they offer a roll cake made with the island's specialty, ashitaba, it was unfortunately sold out when I visited. I opted for a jam roll cake instead, which was light and paired well with a drink, making it perfect for those planning activities like dolphin swimming, fishing, or hiking. Moreover, this roll cake is surprisingly affordable! With cake sets being expensive elsewhere, this was a pleasant surprise. They also offer takeout for their cakes, and if you pre-order, they can even make whole cakes for special occasions or surprises on the island. I recommend checking with them in advance if you have any celebrations planned. I look forward to visiting the izakaya at night next time. Thank you for the delicious meal!