Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in Noshiro city’s historic, former restaurant Kaneyu.

Kaneyu was a traditional, high-class restaurant during Noshiro city’s heyday. Reflecting the quality and technical advancement of the area’s lumber industry, it was a popular place to make business deals.

Today, Kaneyu has been designated as a Cultural Tangible Property and is open to the public for viewing. Guided English tours are available for only 200 yen and now, guests can relax with a cup of coffee or tea in Kaneyu’s cafe space too! The Kaneyu cafe also serves local yokan, a traditional Japanese sweet that is made with azuki red beans.

If you have time, be sure to check out the selection of handpicked souvenirs from the Akita Shirakami area.

Kaneyu is open everyday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding national holidays). Lunch can also be reserved in advance through their email: kaneyu@shirakami.or.jp. For more information, visit their website.

Photographs by James Bryant. See more of his photography of the Akita Shirakami area here.

In addition, check out our photo gallery here.