Little Oven

Little oven is a small café in Higashiyoshino, a rural village in Nara Prefecture, surrounded by mountains and the clear waters of the Takami River. It opened in August 2020, founded by the owners of MINE PRODUCT & FURNITURE, who moved to the village in 2018 and renovated an existing woodworking factory. The café was created alongside their furniture workshop, combining a showroom with a place to enjoy homemade cakes and baked treats.

The café occupies part of a working furniture workshop, bringing together woodworking, furniture and baking in one setting. Its surroundings are a defining part of the experience, with large windows overlooking the gently flowing Takami River and the surrounding mountains. The combination of natural materials, handmade furniture and views of the countryside gives the space a simple, relaxed character.

Little oven makes its sweets using carefully selected ingredients, including Japanese flour, beet sugar and honey. Its baked goods are prepared slowly to bring out the natural flavour of the wheat. One of its seasonal highlights is the strawberry tart, made with locally grown Nara strawberries, rich custard prepared with eggs from Nozawa Poultry Farm and beet sugar. The menu changes with the seasons and available ingredients.

With its handmade furniture, carefully prepared pastries and peaceful riverside setting, Little oven offers a lovely reason to explore the countryside of Higashiyoshino.