Kayanoya is best known as a manufacturer of dashi (Japanese soup stock) and seasonings, but it also operates its own restaurant in a thatched-roof house. The thatched-roofed restaurant looks out onto a brook and ranges, nestled in the mountains of Hisayama of Fukuoka, a setting so pristine that fireflies can be seen.
This makes Kayanoya a perfect setting to savour the restaurant’s cuisine that combines elements of Japanese and Western styles, offering a taste that is above all about carefully-selected ingredients that are being featured differently each season. The focus here is on “slow food” – by cultivating their own land, they sought out the best growers from the area with the goal of protecting local cuisine and supporting local growers. Not only does the restaurant serve traditional dishes, it also orients towards providing nutritious offerings, like the Ten-grain Hot Pot.
In addition to the rustic dining hall, there are numerous private rooms available where guests can enjoy the scenery of the seasons, from the sprouting greenery of spring to the red leaves of autumn. Kayanoya also houses a Tea Room, complemented with an outdoor terrace space and fireplace, where a lunch menu of light seasonal meals and desserts is available alongside their specialty coffee. At night, Kayanoya periodically holds “slow evening” events to appreciate live music while tasting the specially made cuisine for the event.
Kayanoya strives to preserve the tradition of not just food, but also of traditional culture and craftsmanship. For example, their thatched roof, which was made from 80 tons of Japanese pampas grass, was handmade by a group of craftsmen.
The journey of Kayanoya has been admirable – what began as a small soy sauce brewery in the Meiji Era has now grown into a brand that not just retails seasonings all over the world, but also focuses on giving back to future generations with its concept of “slow food.”
* Images are for illustration purpose only.
* Menu items are subject to change according to the seasonal availability of ingredients.
Kayanoya Restaurant
Address:
395-1 Oaza-Ino-Aza, Kushiya, Hisayama-machi, Fukuoka Prefecture, 811-2503
Operating hours:
Lunch: 11am - 3.30pm
Dinner: 5pm - 10pm
Tea Room: 11am - 10pm (close on Wed)
