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Situated in an old building once part of a Miyoshi sake brewery, Mansabo has been transformed into a cozy restaurant where locals gather, part of a group of buildings (called Himikokura) found just a few minutes walk from some of Miyoshi’s most popular sightseeing destinations. Diners arrive at the restaurant hailing from near and far, to settle into the subtly stylish seating area and enjoy carefully arranged meals of creative Japanese cuisine, all put together with locally-grown Miyoshi ingredients. Whether dropping in for a weekend lunch and a chance to say hello to the cats, or arriving in the evening for dinner and a stay at the neighboring Aoneko Guesthouse, it’s hard to resist the charms of this quiet eatery and its friendly owners.

Most days of the week, Mansabo is reservation-only, but travelers shouldn’t hesitate to call ahead and make a reservation with owner Suzumi Utsuboーit’s a meal worth adding to the itinerary. For each reservation, Utsubo checks in with the diners about any allergies or food preferences, and then follows up with a few questions about the group’s plans for the day, because she and her husband carefully prepare each multi-course meal at the restaurant with the customer in mind, working to create a selection of dishes that fit in perfectly with the mood of the day at hand. All the food is made with ingredients from Miyoshi and the surrounding area, meaning each dish is perfectly seasonal and as fresh as it gets, with real Miyoshi flavor. Dishes range from traditional Japanese fare to recipes unique to the Mansabo kitchen, and since they balance flavors and textures to create unique meals every day for every group of guests, there’s always something new to taste. The only dish that makes it into most meals is Mansabo’s popular sesame tofu, which is made from scratch right in the restaurant!

Part of the appeal of Mansabo is the stylish interior design, arranged by Utsubo herself. The atmosphere is a mix of welcoming small-town Japanese inn and retro cafe chic, with a mish-mash of antique furniture and cozy seating. Look around carefully enough, however, and a subtle theme starts to emergeーnot only do a pair of cats live upstairs and occasionally wander into the doorway of the restaurant, but there are little cats found all over the restaurant, from seat cushions to the covers of art books high on the shelf. For a somewhat different atmosphere, diners can also eat in the restaurant’s private dining room with a traditional Japanese set up, and enjoy the spread of unique dishes on the low Japanese table.

The cats are usually kept out of the dining room, but diners who particularly want to meet these feline friends can request their presence, and the cats may or may not deign to come and say hello!

Visitors planning on a late dinner, and anyone who particularly appreciates the stylish and slightly whimsical atmosphere of the renovated sake brewery buildings that make up Himikokura, might also be interested in staying the night at Aoneko Guesthouse, which is right across the courtyard from Mansabo. The little house has a handful of guest rooms and a convenient suite of living and bathrooms, with a retro Japanese tub and a convenient modern kitchen. Just like the restaurant, the feeling of warm hospitality is clear from the moment guests arrive, when they find a hand-written note from Utsubo in the traditional Japanese-style living room with tatami mat floors.

Just down the road from Miyoshi’s historic shopping street, and a short walk from popular spots like the Miyoshi Mononoke Museum, Tsujimura Doll Museum, and Dasai Shrine, Mansabo is a great spot for a weekend lunch, or a leisurely dinner made perfect for that day!