Higurashi — Restaurant in Koya

This unassuming place is on Koyasan’s main street so easy to find. I was intrigued by the sign outside about banana soy milkshake being a nostalgic taste of childhood ( or words to that effect) but I must admit when I first looked inside I was a bit surprised by the eclectic decor and ambience ( quiet) so I quickly carried on to where I was going. However after a long mountain walk the idea of a banana soya milkshake seemed very appealing. So I headed back. I’m so glad I did. The owner is lovely and the service is attentive with water being brought quickly. The menu is short but to the point but each item is produced with love and care. As I sip my banana soy milkshake I begin to appreciate the quirky irreverent interior which manages to combine kabuki masks, a vintage non working clock and items of 1960s office furniture with old 1980s photos of Koyasan. Intrigued by what a matcha chocolate cake is I order it. A taste sensation is what it is. So good I was tempted to order another one straight away. The coffee is very good and strong ( perfect before a long mountain walk). The bathroom is clean and bright though you have to walk through what feels like a woodworking area to get to it. Quirky without being contrived is how I would describe this place. Subsequent visits revealed a scrumptious cheesecake and a matcha latte that looked as good as it tasted ( I ordered a matcha latte elsewhere in Koyasan and got a small cup of insipid green milk) but here I got the real deal. Rich creamy and frothy. Fantastic. I could see people walking past and occasionally popping their heads in and quickly deciding it wasn’t the place for them. It was their loss. This is a ‘must visit’ while...

I loved everything about this small cafe. My partner and I went on a weekday where it was very quiet. The toasted sandwich was one of the best I have ever had, with the homemade ingredients really standing out. The matcha cake was made perfectly where it was not too sweet and had a nice consistency to it. I also appreciated the effort put in creating these handmade menus that featured a few of the star products. As an aside, you can tell there's a lot of thought put in for customers as the restroom even had a foot heater for the customer! (It was...

The toast sandwich with drink set is a MUST TRY! The matcha chocolate cake is the best that I’ve ever tried. The service was excellent, although there’s only one waiter (the boss) in shop, responsible for everything, including ordering, preparing, delivery, and the till. Environment is a. It outdated, but very clean and tidy, including the washroom. But one thing, smoking in shop is allowed. Be prepared someone sitting next to you may be tasting the food and together with...