Nestled between Arita Town in Saga and Sasebo City in Nagasaki, along the tracks of the Matsuura Railway, stands the venerable “Zoushuku” Station—home to the oldest wooden station building still in use. Within this historical edifice, built in 1913, operates “Makino Yado Kara,” a café that serves up a bounty of vegetable-based delights.
Seishiro Takaoka, the café’s proprietor, has created a dining experience that extends beyond the conventional, offering meals not just inside the cozy confines of the station but also in its waiting room and on the platform-side outdoor seating. Influenced by his tenure in a Japanese restaurant and a six-year sojourn in California—where he was inspired by “Chez Panisse,” the cradle of California cuisine—Takaoka’s creations are a homage to local produce.
The café has become a beloved spot for locals, who revel in seeing the fruits of their labor transformed on their plates, enjoying leisurely lunches and relaxed café moments.
The core of the menu features plated meals. Highlights include a California salad plate, accompanied by campagne bread fresh from the wood-fired stone oven, and a hearty brown rice risotto plate. Complementary set menus round out the offering with soup, dessert, and a beverage. The dessert selection, featuring robust American-style vegan cakes and classic soy milk puddings, satisfies with both richness and portion size.
The beverage selection is thoughtfully assembled, showcasing wood-fired roasted coffee, oat milk chai, banana leaf tea, natural wines, and organic beers, each chosen for its commitment to quality and sustainability.
Vegetarian Menu (tax included): California Salad Plate ¥1,650, Brown Rice Risotto Plate ¥1,650, Vegan Cake ¥610
