Sakainoma Cafe

Nestled in the culturally rich Sakai City, famous for handmade knives and tools, on a 30 minute train ride from Osaka city center, is the lovely “ Sakainoma Cafe “. Sakainoma cafe opened its doors on 9 October 2016 and is part of ‘Sakainoma hotels’ which is composed of 3 hotels and a restaurant that are located throughout Sakai city and have been renovated from traditional townhouses.

Sakainoma itself is housed within a 70 year old machiya, and it’s name, ‘Sakainoma’ is derived from The Chinese characters of “MA” (間, also found in words like “space”and “time” which form the central theme of this place. Rooted in the concept of ‘Discovering the hidden gems of Sakai, a town where the past seamlessly blends with the present,’ this establishment offers a glimpse into the leisurely lifestyle of Sakai. It’s an essential experience for savoring all that Sakai has to offer, be it sightseeing or strolling through the town, allowing you to immerse yourself in the ‘MA of SAKAI’ (SAKAINOMA), where you’ll uncover the town’s well-preserved treasures, both old and new.”

The cafe sits in the front of the building along the bustling Daido Suji Avenue but thanks to the wide pedestrian/cyclist lane as well as some greenery the cafe still enjoys bit of privacy and calm. While the building has been renovated, a large portion remained untouched, showcasing original elements such as the mud walls, wooden framework, and the vaulted wooden ceiling. The entrance to the cafe is on the left through the noren which leads to the toriniwa and then immediately right through the glass sliding door you will step into the cafe. The cafe is spacious with the kitchen in the back and seating in the front. The facade consist of sliding glass doors that are opened when the weather is good and leads to the terrace seats in front of the cafe. During spring customers are able to enjoy the blooming cherry blossom tree right in front of the cafe. While visiting, make sure to visit the toilet at the back of the toriniwa to enjoy the historical remnants of the buildings.

The menu is divided into three sections: a morning menu (09:00 – 11:00) featuring options like the dashimaki egg sandwich plate or honey cinnamon French toast. The lunch menu (11:00 – 14:00) offers choices like the ‘today’s lunch plate’ or a seasonal sandwich plate. Additionally, the standard food menu (15:00 – close) presents a variety of savory dishes and sweet sets. The beverage selection includes coffee, tea, juice, floats, and even alcoholic beverages. Sakainoma is dedicated to showcasing Sakai, thus primarily utilizes locally sourced ingredients for their menu offerings.

Sakainoma is a delightful cafe that allows customers to immerse themselves in the building’s rich history while enjoying delicious food. If you’re in the area, visiting Sakainoma is a must for cafe enthusiasts.