There are many ways to enjoy Beppu, such as visiting the hot springs, enjoying its great nature, or walking around the city and experiencing its deep history and the warmth of the people. It is also a good idea to take a peek at the stylish cafes scattered around the city. Today, I will introduce Kokochi Cafe Musubino, a hideaway-style cafe in the Kannawa area.
Kokochi Cafe Musubino is located about 10 minutes by car from Beppu’s city center on a narrow street in the residential area of Kannawa. On the way there, I wondered if there really was a café in such a place. I called the store, and the very friendly owner kindly helped me out. He came out to the front of the store, and when he saw my car, he waved his hand and said, “This way!” and I was able to find this sweet hideaway at last.
By the way, you can also go down the path in the photo below.
A little way down the street from the café is a parking lot big enough for four cars, too.
Next to it is a city-run hot spring called Atsunoyu Hot Spring. Just like Beppu, this area is full of hot springs!
Kokochi Cafe Musubino has a very nice atmosphere that blends in with the scenery of this hot spring area. The building was originally a doctor’s office, which is familiar to local people, but after 100 years, it was reborn as a cafe.
As soon as we entered, we found it felt like an old house. When my daughter started to take off her shoes to enter, the owner smiled and said, “You can leave them on!”
As you go enter the main area, there are two tables for four and a counter.
Coffee and water are self-service, and the coffee cups are cute. Inside the store, there are a variety of books on Beppu, including some for sightseeing and various other genres. In one corner, handmade accessories are for sale.
The menu changes daily and is written on a piece of wood, which is very clever. There seem to be about two items per day. Here is the menu for the day my daughter and I visited.
Musubino Lunch Set
Boiled pork with spicy soy sauce
Fried white fish
Small side dish, rice, and coffee
Gratin Lunch Set
Beef and Maitake Doria
Soup and coffee
I ordered both so we could try them.
The soup for the Gratin Set and the small side dish for the Musubino Lunch set arrived first. The soup was consommé based with lots of beans and other vegetables. The small side dishes were homemade tofu, sauteed purple Malabar spinach salad, and kinpira gobo or thinly sliced burdock.
Their homemade tofu is to die for! Malabar spinach is also a favorite of mine, so my daughter took the kinpira gobo.
The soup is full of vegetables and has a comforting taste.
While I was enjoying the appetizers, the doria, boiled pork and fried white fish came. The doria was freshly made and very hot. I ate it right away.
The boiled pork was lightly seasoned, making it perfect for the hot summer! The fried white fish is boneless and easy to eat, while being crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The white rice is mixed with barley and is very healthy and delicious.
The doria was filled with maitake mushrooms, which made it very satisfying. The creamy white sauce was a perfect match. My daughter and I enjoyed it very much. It was a complete meal.
I’m ashamed to say that my daughter is a picky eater and doesn’t eat a lot of vegetables, but I was surprised to see her finish all the vegetables at this café even though it was a very large portion!
Afterward, I relaxed with a cup of coffee and read a book about sightseeing.
We had a very peaceful and wonderful time. It was a lunch spot I will definitely visit again when I come to Beppu.
Kokochi Cafe Musubino
Address: 1 group on Kannawa, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Official website: https://www.musubino.net/
Tel: 0977-66-0156
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