Shimane, Japan | Showa-era home-style cuisine near Izumo Taisha: Business Hotel Taisha Restaurant

On a late September morning, as I prepared to enter Izumo Taisha, where the gods reside in the moon, even the sunlight was awe-inspiring. After finishing my visit around 8:00 a.m., my friend and I drove less than five minutes to the small restaurant attached to the shrine, "Bijineshotel Taisha." From a distance, I could spot the faded orange and white sign, its calligraphy reminiscent of the smooth, rounded strokes of an old photograph. The food models at the entrance, gleaming with age, lay charmingly still in the window. From the sign, the entrance, and the interior furnishings, the atmosphere was rich with the Showa era. Far from the tourist district of Izumo Taisha, the large parking lot nearby seemed even emptier.

The restaurant was small, with a few tables and chairs. Advertisements for various drinks covered the walls. A baseball game was playing on a TV near the cash register. That day, there were only two or three groups of customers, and the waitress (who might also be the owner) was a familiar, elderly face; it was clear they all knew each other. Everyone ordered a cup of coffee and chatted across the table while watching the game. Their voices echoed with a repetitive yet cheerful rhythm.

Hungry, I ordered black tea and omurice. The dish was still steaming when it arrived. The egg skin was thin and soft, gently covering the tomato fried rice. Mixed with onions and pork chunks, it had just the right amount of salty, savory, and sour. A local friend took a bite and smiled, "This tastes like my mom's." Even without the elaborate presentation, the familiar, homely flavors evoked a sense of relaxation and comfort. As we finished our meal and prepared to leave, the waitress, a woman, enthusiastically chatted with me. It felt like a daily morning in the countryside—perhaps the ultimate luxury for city dwellers.

Post by merrily eerie | Oct 13, 2025