Nagisa — Restaurant in Ine

Quaint Restaurant with Friendly Owner and Unique Dishes

We reserved a table at Restaurant Bar Nagisa on the same day, and although the owner was initially hesitant, he kindly accommodated us. The restaurant is small but full of character, and the owner made the experience memorable by engaging us in conversation, sharing stories about his travels, and even giving us a signed postcard. He spoke a bit of Chinese and invited us to join his Facebook group for Hong Kong guests, adding a personal touch to the visit.

As for the food, many of the signature dishes required advance reservations, so we could only try the abalone rice, sea cucumber rice, and whale rice. The first two dishes tasted a bit heavy on MSG and weren’t particularly special, but trying whale meat for the first time was definitely a unique experience. The whale had a somewhat fruity flavor with an interesting texture. I found the whale fat more enjoyable than the meat, which had a slight taste of blood.

Overall, this is a charming place with a welcoming atmosphere and some unusual dishes. While not every dish wowed me, the experience and the owner's hospitality made it...

A business run by a sweet couple. It’s as if you’re transported into the home of a friend in Ine where they prepare the catch of the season with love and thoughtfulness into the food presented. The owner Alex and his wife live their life here in Ine and are more than happy to recommend places to visit and things to do on the island. Alex converse verse very well in English and I overheard him speaking in Mandarin to the guests at the next seat.

The menu is limited as with many other restaurants in Ine but one can trust that they will recommend what’s best on the menu at the time one’s there.

Like at a chef table where chef makes the call on what you eat, or a friend’s kitchen where they whipped up dishes to make you feel at home - this is such a place.

Come for the experience and conversation with the owners. I had a great time here...

The highlight of my trips will always be the people I meet along the way. I found this little gem in Ine Funaya, Restaurant Nagisa. ✨

The place felt straight out of an anime scene, with such a cozy and homey vibe. The owners were incredibly sweet — they welcomed us even without a reservation and even gifted us postcards to take home. 🥹💌

And of course, their beef curry is a must try! Oishii desu! Cheesy as it may sound, it tasted like it was cooked with care and love, the kind of comforting dish you always crave from your hometown. 🍛❤️

I wish we had more time to stay, but our tour bus was on schedule and we had to move to another place. Still, I will never forget the warmth of the people in Kyoto and I truly hope I can come back...