おうちカフエ島じかん (Ouchi Cafe Island Time in a very literal translation) may perhaps be one of the sweetest, darling places I’ve eaten in my time in Japan. It is simple, local, hearty fare made with local ingredients and cooked by the loveliest husband and wife.

When we discovered it, we knew they were popular because they had created a stunning, rustic pavilion in their fields, where you could enjoy lunch, tea and coffee, sweets etc. However a recent typhoon past had destroyed the pavilion and they were currently hoping to rebuild it. In normal times, it would be best to make a reservation especially on the weekends.

NOTE: there is no website, to find it on google maps you need to type in the name in Japanese or try the phone number +81997869341. They are only open for lunch.

Instead we were led into an area of their home they had converted for guests. I adored seeing glimpses of their family history through the portraits hanging on top of the doors in one room, and other little bits and pieces.

However I especially loved the gorgeous tatami room we were seated in with it’s beautiful scenery painting of cherry blossoms covering its tatami sliding doors and gloriously heavy driftwood low dining table. The photos below don’t give it justice, it’s just magical and feels like you’re in a scene from a Ghibli movie.

The food was delicious, so hearty and tasty, quintessentially local, however I will be blunt, if you’re a picky eater, have dietary requirements, choose not to eat certain produce, this place probably won’t be for you. Everything is made with what have in stock, it is a local teishoku experience.