Nakamise Café Pot: Hokuto City (Vegan)

Travel to Hokuto City in Yamanashi, and by the Gomachida Intersection you will find “Nakamise Café Pot.” For many years, it served this area as a kimono fabric store, but in 2009, it reopened as a vegan café.

Abandoning the kimono business that started generations ago, and turning the building into a café was originally met with opposition from the owner’s family. Even still, the eldest sister, Kazue, and the younger sister, Junko, spent a long brainstorming ways to run Nakamise which would lead to long-running success.

The “Nakamise” signs that can be seen outside are the same ones from when the shop was a kimono fabric store.

In consideration of her own health, Junko spent many years dedicating herself to the vegan lifestyle. She also studied the macrobiotic diet, and learned about how your own eating habits can influence a variety of different things. By switching her diet to brown rice and vegetables, she felt her irritation and anger levels decrease, proving to her how eating habits have a big impact on the heart and soul. With this in mind, the sisters wanted to make sure their café menu was both good for the body and the soul.

The vegetables used at Nakamise Café Pot, grown on the southern foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains, pack a powerful and delicious taste. “As café owners, finding ways to expand our flavors was an interesting and exciting process,” said the sisters.

A variety of dishes made from the southern foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains

Their most popular dish, called the Okazu Plate (or side dish plate) is made out of 6 types of smaller side dishes and one main, plus soup, a salad and a serving of zakkoku rice.

▲Okazu (side dish) plate

From its wonderful seasoning that really brings out the deliciousness of the vegetables really shows the skilled hand of the chef, this plate leaves those who try it highly satisfied.

The main dish can be chosen from a selection of 2-3 different dishes.

One of the main dishes, the Taka kibi ball and is made of zakkoku rice and vegetables. This main dish was made to give a similar feeling to meat balls.

▲Curry Plate

Their handmade curry plate uses an assortment of organic spices and organic steamed vegetables. It has been served in the café since its doors first opened, and its recipe was something that the two sisters worked long and hard to produce—making it one of their proudest works.

▲Namul rice plate

The namul rice plate uses namul with a soy-based vegan meat on top of some zakkoku rice. This filling dish is quite popular among male customers.

Nakamise also has an array of handmade desserts, including gateau chocolate, baked cheesecake, and their vegan dessert options are also plentiful. 

▲Matcha tofu pudding (vegan)

▲Fried snacks for sale at the restaurant

Their fried snacks are hand-crafted, using carefully selected ingredients, and if you so desire, they will even gift wrap it for you. Anyone would be happy to receive delicious treats that are also healthy!

Also, Nakamise has takeout options, so don’t forget to take some home with you to enjoy as well!

▲Side dish (okazu) plate, bento version

Nakamise may use alcohol-based ingredients such as sake, mirin, or white wine in preparing their okazu (side dish) plates. If you make a reservation at least three days in advance, they can prepare the dishes without alcohol to ensure they are Muslim-friendly.

More Info

Nakamise Café Pot website:
https://www.cafepot.net

Address: 609 Takanecho Gochoda, Hokuto, Yamanashi