Aoi Rihatsukan Kobo Momo

In a corner of the retro shopping street near Shimabara Castle, you'll find "Koubou Momo" operating in a charming café. The building itself is a precious wooden Western-style structure built in 1923 and designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. During the 2000 renovation, great care was taken to preserve the building's original form, retaining as much of the original lighting and decor as possible, creating a nostalgic atmosphere throughout.

The café offers a variety of dishes made with organic vegetables, fermented foods, and other ingredients that consider both health and environmental impact. A highlight is the gentle-tasting weekly menu, which includes the "Beauty Intestinal Lunch" designed to improve gut health.

For a delightful treat, try the "Happiness Pudding," made with eggs from chickens raised free from post-harvest chemicals, or the "Lemon Cheesecake," which captures the essence of low-pesticide Setouchi lemons. Another must-try is the local Shimabara specialty "Kanzarashi," small dumplings made from glutinous rice flour served with a special syrup made from honey and sugar.