1. What is Juichiya?

Juichiya was founded in 1804 (the first year of the Bunka era) in Jizo-cho, Yamagata City (now Nanokamachi 5-chome).

For a long time, the shop’s sweets, which are made with carefully selected ingredients, have been loved by many people, and its sweets that make use of Yamagata’s abundant produce are also popular as souvenirs.

The Juichiya Nanokamachi main shop will be renovated and reopened in November 2023.

The appearance is eye-catching with white exterior walls and brown accents.

The logo is also unified in simple colors, giving it a warm feel.

2. Inside the store

There is a shop corner as soon as you enter the entrance.

Once you pass the shopping corner, you will see the entrance to “kitöne.”

Upon entering “kitöne,” there are table seats on the left and a grand piano at the back.

Apparently, concerts using this grand piano are held regularly.

The interior of the restaurant has a Japanese modern atmosphere and you can feel the warmth of wood.

The natural light from outside and the warm, cosy lights are soothing.

3. Menu

This is the lunch menu.

(*Menu varies depending on the season)

lunch menu

The kitchen is fully open, so you can watch the food being prepared while you wait.

You can enjoy the excitement while waiting for your food.

4. Dishes ordered

1. Chicken and tomato cream pasta

(Includes salad, soup, bread, dessert, and drink)

First, the “Chicken and Tomato Cream Pasta” was brought in front of me.

This pasta contains large chunks of chicken, and the flavor of the meat is well blended into it.

The pasta sauce was a perfect match between the fresh acidity of the tomatoes and the smooth texture of the cream, and the addition of the chewy texture of the chicken made it a satisfying dish.

② Seafood Doria *Limited to 10 meals

(Includes salad, soup, dessert, and drink)

This doria is made with seafood such as clams, scallops, and shrimp.

The surface is baked crispy, and the creamy sauce and melted cheese overflow from the inside.

This exquisite grilling makes the texture even more enjoyable.

This dish is not only beautiful in appearance, but also satisfying in taste, aroma, and texture.

③ Green curry

(Includes salad, soup, dessert, and drink)

This is a colorful “green curry”

The aroma of spices stands out and whets the appetite.

The green curry, which has been popular for a long time, has been further refined and re-released with a new flavor.

The lunch set is available in three variations, so that even if you visit us three times a week, you can enjoy a different experience each time.

Also, the lineup changes regularly, so you’ll want to visit often.

Enjoy lunch with seasonal flavors in the comfortable warmth of wood.

5. Points of Attention

In addition to the food, the restaurant has many wonderful details thought up for its customers. Here are five of these details.

① Table and chairs connected to history

The chairs that were used in the store before the renovation have been reupholstered and are being used again.

This product is made by Tendo Mokko, a furniture manufacturer whose headquarters and factory are located in Tendo City.

② Sound-focused interior design

The acoustic environment inside the store is designed to resemble a small hall used for music concerts.

The curved shape of the ceiling was designed to allow sound to resonate easily, and it is often used as a venue for wonderful concerts.

The “Sweet Concert,” which invites famous performers from within and outside the prefecture and features tea and sweets, has been held for the past 40 years and will mark its 106th anniversary on Saturday, March 16th this year (2024).

In addition, the “Utagoe Charon” event, which has been held over 150 times to date, is a fun gathering where everyone sings along to a diverse program of children’s songs, lyric songs, pop songs, etc. arranged by vocalist Toshiko Matsukura.

This is a wonderful concert where you can enjoy special sweets and coffee along with fun songs and talk.

3) Interior design that evokes wood and nature

The interior design is also carefully designed. The chef himself prepared the vases and flowers, and the interior is dotted with accents that make use of wood and natural materials.

You can feel the beauty of nature while enjoying your meal, and the warmth of the wood creates a comfortable atmosphere.

④ Message plate

You can also order message plates, which are essential for special occasions. They add color to your meal and create memorable moments.

⑤ Care services

The female restroom is equipped with hand cream and mouthwash. Such thoughtful touches are a nice touch.

6. Shop corner

After your meal, why not purchase some souvenirs at the shop corner at the store entrance?

There are many types of baked goods and cakes, so you can choose according to your preference.

Additionally, the exterior wall of the shop corner is said to be the same wall that was used in the store before the renovation.

Customers who have been coming to our previous store say, “It makes me feel nostalgic.”

7. Message

Finally, Chef Kamino-san gave a message to everyone watching VISIT YAMAGATA.

“We serve dishes that allow you to feel the natural atmosphere, using vegetables and trees that the chef himself has harvested.

We always think about how much attention we can give to our customers and how we can provide them with the best hospitality.

I want to make this a homey restaurant that is conscious of the connections between people.”