A thirty minute hike from Ashiyagawa Station (Hankyu), tucked away on Mount Rokko in Ashiya is the unique Takinochaya restaurant.
My wife and I were following the hiking trail to the nearby Kōza Falls when we stumbled onto this charming hideaway. It's interior is a time capsule of a period when wild boar were regularly hunted.
Takinochaya Restaurant - a unique find on 'wild boar mountain'
Takinochaya Restaurant
The log-cabin style eatery, specialising in oden and soba, was a welcome sight as we made our way up the mountain on a cold winter's day.
It staddles the rock face, arching over the path, with the main building overlooking the river flowing from Kōza Falls all the way down to Osaka Bay.
Honesty shop outside the restaurant
Outside there is a small honesty shop display selling pot noodles, snacks and souvenirs.
A refrigerated cabinet hosts a selection of beers, soft drinks and teas, and there's a freezer supplying ice creams, and mochi no doubt, in summer.
It being a chilly morning we decided to stop for some oden - a popular winter dish perfect for warming the body on a day like today.
The ceiling is covered in hunting ephemera - including animal traps
Inside It Is Incredible
First impressions were that it looks like something out of a horror film.
You know the kind. The ones set in remote rural locations, where the locals like to kill and eat those foolish to stray into their neighbourhood!
Hike and Have Breakfast on Mt. Rokko
VIDEO: Inside The Wild Boar Mountain Restaurant
Thankfully, it only looks like one of those horror movie locations. In reality, the restaurant is run by a friendly elderly couple who, I hasten to add, seem entirely harmless.
Seating around the central fire pit
It's actually more like being inside a trapper's mountain cabin.
A raised fire pit in the centre of the dining room is surrounded by seats made from large tree logs, with woven matting cushions.
Stuffed head of an innoshishi - wild boar
Wild Boar Ephemera
It is packed to the rafters with ephemera and memorabilia relating especially to the inoshishi (wild boar) that roam this mountain.
This ephemera includes a stuffed inoshishi head on one of the walls. Huge, vicious-looking metal boar traps hang from the ceiling.
It's not uncommon for hunters and mountain people to name their sons after wild boar
Among Japanese hunters, the boar's courage and defiance is a source of admiration. It's not uncommon for hunters and mountain people to name their sons after the animal.
Photographs taken in the area of wild boar adorn the walls
Photographs Of Local Wild Boar
Adorning all the walls are photographs of the creatures, in various sizes, from cute baby piglets to rather more imposing adults. Photos that one of the owners confirmed were taken in this area.
Although I have seen wild boar in Ashiya before, unfortunately we were not so lucky today.
Wooden carvings of bears on the window ledge
Popular With Hikers
The restaurant is frequented by hikers enroute either up or down the mountain, as well as Ashiya residents. It's the perfect pitstop - whatever the weather or time of year.
The day of our visit was wonderful.
Shafts of dazzling sunshine cutting through the shadows cast by the flora outside. The greenery beginning to recover from the coldest days of the season.
Private Day Trip to the Kobe Mountains, Gardens and Hot Springs from Osaka
Oden - A Japanese One-Pot Dish
During winter the Takinochaya restaurant specialises in oden - a Japanese one-pot dish. Typically including boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and processed fishcakes stewed in a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth.
Although we already had a table booked in another restaurant for lunch a little later, we couldn't resist the opportunity to sample one of their signature dishes.
A Highlight of Our Day
Individual elements of the dish are priced seperately, making it customisable to suit your tastes (just choose the ingredients you want included in the dish) and, at just ¥120 each, very affordable too.
It came served with a decent sized smudge of equally warming Japanese mustard. Like many such places, the green tea is both free and unlimited.
Mountain information sign warning of the risk of fires
We didn't know about Takinochaya when we headed out this morning. And yet it became one of the highlights of our day. The place has so much character I had to film it for prosterity (see video below).
I hope you enjoy this rare peek inside Takinochaya - the restaurant hidden in the wild boar mountain.
It's a fine example of The Real Japan.
Takinochaya Restaurant Location Map
And One More Thing...
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About the Author
A writer and publisher from England, Rob has been exploring Japan’s islands since 2000. He specialises in travelling off the beaten track, whether on remote atolls or in the hidden streets of major cities. He’s the founder of TheRealJapan.com.
Resources
Takinochaya Restaurant
(滝の茶屋)
Address: 1 Yamaashiyacho Ashiya Hyogo
Tel: 0797-34-1683 (+81-797-34-1683)
Open: 8:00 to 17:00
Closed: Irregular
Note: Cash Only - credit cards not accepted
Local Tours
Hike and Have Breakfast on Mt. Rokko
Private Day Trip to the Kobe Mountains, Gardens and Hot Springs from Osaka
Restaurants In Japan
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