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The following five facilities are found within Beni-no-Kura:

• Benisansui
• Café & Dining 990
• Souvenir shop Agarasshai
• Town Information Center
• JA Yamagata Farmer’s Market Beni-no-Kura Branch

This time, we will introduce the charms of Beni-no-Kura all at once!

Click “Detailed information” in the text to see the detailed report on each facility by writer Naomi Sato.

1. Benisansui

・Exquisite soba at a famous Yamagata shop

Benisansui was open in 2009 as a shop that serves soba noodles and regional cuisine.

Yamagata-grown soba flour Dewakaori and Mogamiwase are ground in a stone mill every morning to make the soba noodles in the shop.

The 100% buckwheat soba noodles are a gem that you should try!

In addition to buckwheat noodles, there are also local dishes and many local sake, so it may be no exaggeration to say that you can enjoy the whole flavor of Yamagata here.

2. Café & Dining 990

・Retro-modern restaurant

When you pass the entrance, you will find a modern space with large windows and high ceilings.
Western sweets and French and Italian cuisine are served in a classical atmosphere in Japanese dishes.

Café & Dining 990 (pronounced “kukurei”) offers not only meals, but also time, space and sincere hospitality.

990 offers dishes that make use of the seasonal ingredients of Yamagata. It is a restaurant where you can share a wonderful time in the calm yet casual atmosphere in couple or with friends, etc.

There are also seasonal sweets created by the pastry chef and a well-established Japanese confectionery shop using seasonal fruits and ingredients, so it is recommended to visit as a café.

3. Souvenir shop Agarasshai

・Shop with gems from every region

Agarasshai is a souvenir shop packed with products from Yamagata prefecture.

“Agarasshai” is Yamagata dialect meaning “please eat” and “please come in.”

The pickles, local sake, and standard sweets that change with the season are all specialties in Yamagata, products that not only travelers but also locals can enjoy.

4. Town Information Center

・All the Yamagata information you need!

The Town Information Center holds seasonal exhibitions and events to promote the history, tradition, and culture of Yamagata.

In addition, staff and brochures at the Town Information Center can provide information about the charms of Yamagata to people sightseeing in the city.

There was an exhibition on safflower held the day I visited.

Back in the days, safflower was said to be 100 times more expensive than rice and 10 times more expensive than gold.
At this safflower exhibition, you can see interesting materials such as the Benibana folding screen that gives you a glimpse of the past.

5. JA Yamagata Farmer's Market

・Items in season here!

Seasonal vegetables and fruits are lined up along with delicious ingredients from Yamagata such as meat and rice at the JA Yamagata Farmer’s Market.

What makes me happy is that prices are reasonable and the food safe and secure.

You can also find rare traditional vegetables that have long been used in local dishes.

In conclusion...

Beni-no-Kura has a concept of “creating a new attraction and livelihood that takes advantage of the history and culture of Yamagata.” This facility was created with the aim of improving and revitalizing the central urban area of Yamagata City.

A 10-minute walk from Yamagata Station (5 minutes and 100 yen if you take the Benichan Bus), complete parking, and convenient transportation!

If you want to experience the charm of Yamagata, we recommend it to both tourists and those living nearby.