3 old folk house cafes in Nishiogikubo to visit for enjoying healthy Japanese style lunch

Lovingly nicknamed ‘Nishiogi,’ “Nishiogikubo” is located next to Kichijoji, one of Tokyo’s popular tourist spots. During WWⅡ, factories producing engines for fighters were built here because there was an airfield. For this reason, it seemed that shopping streets around Nishiogikubo Station were crowded with people concerning. Currently, the north and south exit has 24 shopping streets filled with lots of shops from old-established shops that have been in business since then to stylish cafes and restaurants. Walking on a back alley of such shopping streets, you can also come across cafes which renovated old folk houses built in around 1930s. From among them, this time, we’re going to introduce 3 recommended old folk house cafes offering Japanese style lunch easy on the body.

Nishiogikubo Station is 7 stations away from JR Shinjuku Station on the Chuo-Sobu line (Local).

Spending a relaxing time while having a book chosen by the book store in your hand. -“Shoan Bunko” using carefully selected safe ingredients such as pesticide-free rice

Made from a folk house with a history of over 80 years where a musician couple used to live, “Shoan Bunko(松庵文庫)” is a cafe for book lovers. The big Nepal holly planted in front of the cafe will help you find your way. When you take off your shoes and enter here, space with a retro and modern ambiance where pillars, beams and ceiling are in the same condition as when it was built welcomes you. Such Shoan Bunko offers lunches using ingredients purchased from only farmers who the owner trust with a focus on ‘safety.’ Our recommended menu is ‘Rice Farmer Yamazaki’s Rice Lunch Set.’ The chewy pesticide-free rice rich in nutrition brings out the natural mild tastes of several kinds of side dishes using seasonal vegetables. After having lunch, it might be a good idea to have a cup of coffee while reading a book that was carefully selected by a bookstore in Ogikubo ‘Title,’ enjoy shopping at an adjoining shop selling knick-knacks and ingredients recommended by the owner.

Opening Hours	Weekdays 11:30AM – 9:00PM／Saturday and Sunday 11:30AM – 6:00PM Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Address	3-12-22 Shoan, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 7-minute walk from Nishiogikubo Station
URL	http://shouanbunko.com/

Being surrounded by furniture made of parts and timber that were active in other places. -“Re:gendo” allowing you to savor Shimane’s traditional or seasonal ingredients

With their motto which is to learn from old good things and create new things, they reuse timbers and parts, once played different roles, in interiors, convey the wisdom of life that has been passed down since ancient times through holding workshops telling how to make miso, restore vessels, etc. During lunchtime, they offer 2 types of lunch sets. One is ‘Musubi-zen.’ The main rice ball is made by cooking “Kamimusubi rice,” which has a long history as it appeared in books 1300 years ago, in a clay pot. The other is the “Nigiri-Yasai Suzhizen” whose bite-sized sushi is adorable. Five kinds of seasonal vegetables from Shimane are placed on rice. Menus for main and side dishes change every month, so you can feel like you’re visiting for the first time even if you come here again and again.

Opening Hours	11:00AM – 6:00PM　Closed on Tuesday
Address	3-38-20 Shoan, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 2-minute walk from Nishiogikubo Station
URL	https://www.gungendo.co.jp/

Using Azuki beans for all rice, dishes and desserts. -“Detached Cafe &Salon hana” bringing out the hidden charm of Azuki beans

Reference from LIVING むさしの『正直さんぽでも絶賛！子連れにも優しい『一軒家カフェ＆サロンハナ』＠西荻』

“Detached Cafe &Salon hana,” where tatami mats create a calm atmosphere making you want to say ‘I’m home.’ The cafe space “Azuki Parlor” on the 1st floor offers lunch menus and desserts using a lot of homemade sweet red bean paste. They make their original red bean paste by boiling 2 kinds of beans with brown sugar without using any chemical seasoning, so mild sweet flavor explodes in your mouth. Let’s enjoy it in various cooking ways such as hamburgers, dumplings, medicated zenzai, and afoguards! Among them, the most surprising thing is ‘Nagaoka Enzyme Brown Rice’ -brown rice and azuki beans cooked with a small amount of salt and kept warm for at least 3 days. Azuki makes the texture of brown rice soft and chewy, and also increases nutrients. Nagaoka Enzyme Brown Rice has 6 times more vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber than white rice, and it is an excellent product with a detoxifying effect. You can savor it through rice balls, bibimbap, curry, sushi rolls, etc.

Opening Hours	11:30AM – 6:30PM　Closed on Monday and Thursday
Address	3-37-2 Shoan, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from Nishiogikubo Station
URL	https://nishiogi-hana.com/