Aizu-Wakamatsu is Aizu region‘s biggest city. Besides the area where Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle is located, Nanukamachi nearby is also worth checking out. Once a lively area until the late 19th century, the town preserves the historical vibe. In addition to shopping for local specialties and taking photos, it has a couple of cafes and restaurants perfect for keeping your stomach happy.
The Recommended Cafes and Restaurants in Nanukamachi
- Bakery&Cafe basket.（バスケット）
- Akabeko Cafe (あかべこカフェ)
- Restaurant Papacaldo (リストランテ パパカルド)
- Nanukamachi Cafe Yui (なぬか町茶房「結」)
- Aizu Coffee Club (会津珈琲倶楽部)
- Taketō (竹藤) and Taketō Chaya (たけとう茶屋)
Bakery&Cafe basket.（バスケット）
Coming out of Nanukamachi Station, you will most likely walk past a bakery. Bakery&Cafe basket is a nice place for a change if you are tired of the traditional Japanese elements. It is a bakery cafe where you can get Filipino bread, light meals, and desserts. Because the bakery is next to the station, many also drop by for a quick bite.
The bakery cafe, which opened in 2018, is run by the owner, who was originally from Cebu, Philippines, and her daughters. The shop is brightly decorated, giving you a tropical feel. Whether you are there for the bread or light meals, when you are ready, let the staff know what you want. They can heat up the bread for you so it tastes similar to freshly baked bread. The bread can even be cut into bite-size pieces, making it easier to eat!
If you are unsure what to get, we recommend bread that has fillings made from coconuts. After all, it is a Filipino bakery. Try something unusual and be impressed! Getting a cup of tropical-style drink is also a great idea!
Note that Bakery&Cafe basket doesn’t have a vegetarian menu. But you can check with the staff to see if they can customize your order. Their English is proficient. If somehow you are served by a staff who can’t speak English, use the phrases in our Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Vegetarians and Vegans article to communicate your needs.
You can refer to their Cafe Menu in advance.
Bakery&Cafe basket.’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Bakery&Cafe basket is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- It opens from 10 am to 5 pm in winter.
- The bakery is next to Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
Akabeko Cafe (あかべこカフェ)
Walking around Nanukamachi, some red cow statues might catch your attention. The red cow is called Akabeko (あかべこ), which means a red cow. It is a traditional toy in the Aizu region and has been used to ward off evil spirits for children.
If you find these red cows cute and want to bring one home, Akabeko Cafe is the best spot to get the Akabeko goods. You will surely be pleasantly surprised by the big Akabeko in front of the cafe. The cafe’s interior is also decorated by Akabeko. No matter where you look, the cute red cows would be within your sight. Even the desserts served in the cafe have Akabeko patterns!
You might even want to score two of the area’s top two traditional toys in one go by getting the Akabeko Okiagari Koboshi Set (赤べこ起き上がり小法師セット)!
Moreover, you can paint your Akabeko at Akabeko Cafe!
Tip: Akabeko Cafe should have a vegan choice on their lunch menu.
Akabeko Cafe’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Akabeko Cafe is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Please refer to their Instagram Account for the days that the cafe is open.
- The cafe is a 4-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
Restaurant Papacaldo (リストランテ パパカルド)
Nanukamachi also has a nice Italian restaurant. The food, prepared using mostly Fukushima Prefecture’s freshly harvested vegetables and fruits, is incredible and healthy. Even seasonings such as pepper and olive oil are carefully chosen. On top of that, the service is top-notch, so even the Japanese are impressed.
In Italian, papa means father, and caldo means warmth. The chef wants his cooking and the restaurant’s hospitality to be able to warm up the customers’ hearts. The experience starts with the restaurant’s interior design. As soon as you walk into Restaurant Papacaldo, you are surrounded by a calm atmosphere created by the white-themed interior. The background music also helps to create a relaxing vibe.
Being trained at various famous Italian restaurants in Tokyo and Italy, you will surely enjoy each dish the chef cooks. The pace of the food serving is well-timed, so you won’t feel rushed or irritated during the course meal. As the seasoning is adjusted according to the weather and the ingredients of the day, the best flavors of the ingredients are brought out. You might even find yourself wanting more at the end of the meal!
Tips:
☛ A booking is recommended by calling +81-242-93-7887 if you want to dine at Restaurant Papacaldo. The restaurant is popular and the seats can be filled out fast.
☛ If you have special dietary requirements, please call the restaurant to discuss them before visiting.
Important: A reservation is required for dinner and only course meals are available.
Restaurant Papacaldo’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Restaurant Papacaldo is open from Wednesday to Monday from
- 11:30 am to 2 pm for lunch
- The last order is taken at 1:30 pm.
- 6 pm to 9:30 pm for dinner
- 11:30 am to 2 pm for lunch
- The restaurant is a 6-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
Nanukamachi Cafe Yui (なぬか町茶房「結」)
If you love rice cakes and tofu, don’t miss out on Nanukamachi Cafe Yui. The traditional-style cafe is where you can enjoy freshly made rice cakes. In particular, the Tofu Mochi (豆腐もち) is a must-try. It is a local dish cooked for special occasions such as Obon, New Year, and ceremonial occasions.
Nanukamachi Cafe Yui’s rice cake is more stretchy and softer than most rice cakes in Japan. You will have fun seeing how far the mochi would stretch if you order a bowl of soupy rice cake dish. The tofu mochi is made with a recipe passed down directly from the owner’s grandmother who ran Shimizu Chaya (清水茶屋). The dressing is cooked by heating mashed firm tofu (木綿豆腐), soy sauce, and dashi stock. We all know that tofu goes well with soy sauce and dashi stock. The rice cake just adds to the fun and makes the dish more fulfilling!
The other two savory rice cake dishes on the menu are Tsuyu Mochi (つゆもち) and Egoma Mochi (えごまもち). In addition to the unusual savory flavors, the cafe is also good at making sauce and bean paste for their dessert mochi dishes. So, not only can you visit Nanukamachi Cafe Yui for desserts, but you can also have lunch here! Their tofu mochi lunch sets are popular and sell out fast!
Important: Nanukamachi Cafe Yui’s savory mochi dishes aren’t vegetarian. The dashi stock contains seafood extract. Tsuyu mochi’s soup contains meat.
Nanukamachi Cafe Yui’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Nanukamachi Cafe Yui is open from 11 am to 5 pm from Wednesday to Monday.
- The shop is a 10-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
- If you plan to take a bus, get off at Nanukamachi Shirokiya-mae (七日町白木屋前).
Tip: Arrive early or visit during non-peak hours to avoid waiting.
Aizu Coffee Club (会津珈琲倶楽部)
While not on Nanukamachi-dōri Street, we thought to include Aizu Coffee Club. Although it is located in a residential area, the taste and atmosphere of Aizu Coffee Club have earned it a reputation. It is the best place in Nanukamachi to enjoy a cup of nice coffee. Not only does it offer coffee brewed from high-quality beans, but the ingredients used for breakfast, lunch, and desserts are all carefully picked. So, no matter what you order, we are sure it will taste incredible.
For more information, refer to our Aizu Coffee Club article!
Taketō (竹藤) and Taketō Chaya (たけとう茶屋)
Among the old buildings in the Aizu region, Taketō is the oldest commercial facility. Opened in 1624 as a bamboo trader, Taketō contributed largely to the Aizu Domain’s development in the late Edo period, during which time the head of the family was allowed to meet the domain’s feudal lord. Since 2020, the daughter of the family has utilized the house’s idle space and opened Taketō Chaya to support the maintenance of the old building, which was completed in 1841.
Taketō Chaya is at the back of Taketō. So, you can check out the bamboo crafts sold in the shop as you proceed further to the cafe. As you can imagine, the dining space is in the traditional Japanese style. But don’t worry. There are table seats at Taketō Chaya. In fact, we reckon the table seats are the best because they are also window seats, allowing you to peek outside.
Taketō Chaya’s Food Menu
The daughter, Kasama-san (笠間さん), isn’t just another Japanese woman walking on the street. She has been teaching confectionery-making since 1998. The sweets offered at Taketō Chaya are all handmade by Kasama-san using mainly the local ingredients.
Like most cafes, Taketō Chaya also has a light meal menu. While simple, the Japanese-flavored pizzas (such as the shallot miso) are popular among the regulars. So, if you haven’t had lunch yet, give it a try. No meat or seafood is used!
After a delicious meal, you are welcome to check out the traditional house. All the fixtures and decorations would give you a good idea of the lifestyle a few centuries ago. A small museum also displays historical materials for customers to examine.
Tip: Taketō Chaya’s pound cake is a must-try if you eat eggs. It goes really well with the high-quality tea and coffee. The apple pie and Mont Blanc are also delicious.
Taketō Chaya’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Taketō Chaya is open from 11 am to 6 pm from Friday to Tuesday.
- The bamboo crafts shop Taketō s open from 10 am to 5 pm from Thursday to Tuesday.
- The cafe is a 15-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
Where to Shop for Souvenirs on Nanukamachi-dōri Street
Because there are many shops in Nanukamachi, if you don’t have time to check them out one by one, refer to our Recommended Shops on Nanukamachi-dōri Street article for our top picks!
Discover the Stunning Scenery Along the Tadami Line
The Nanukamachi-dōri Street, where Hoshiban Decorated Candle Shop is located, is the starting point of Japan’s most stunning train line, the Tadami Line. From the local train’s window, which runs through the mountains, breathtaking natural views unfold one after another throughout the year. Several tourist spots worth checking out are also dotted along the Tadami Line, enriching your visit to Japan’s rural towns.
So, refer to our Tadami Line article for more information on expanding your itinerary to include a couple of scenic spots!
