Izakaya in Kagoshima serving Yakushima cuisine with freshly-caught fish from Yakushima’s waters

PUBLISHED Jun 21, 2021

Tobiuo Karaage from Yakushima de Minshuku Yatteimashita

Two months have passed since the opening of Yakushima de Minshuku Yatteimashita, an izakaya (Japanese-style bar) serving Yakushima cuisine. It is located on the Tenjin Otsukiya shopping street in Tenmonkan, Kagoshima City, and the name of the bar means “I used to run a guest house in Yakushima.”

The izakaya opened on April 14. The owner, Hirata Shinya, had been running a Japanese-style guest house on Yakushima Island for 21 years, which boasted a 65-year history. “I have always wanted to open an eatery in Tenmonkan. The pandemic has made society somewhat gloomy, so I decided to close the guest house and start an izakaya to give myself a boost,” said Hirata. The bright, open, glass-walled space has ten tables and four counter seats.

The menu includes an assortment of sashimi (1,350 yen) prepared with fish from Yakushima that is purchased every morning; sashimi of blue mackerel in season (the price changed based on the market price); tempura of Kibinago (blue sprat), prawn, and octopus (from 440 yen); and Yaku-tororoimo okonomiyaki (910 yen), a savory pancake with sticky yam. The izakaya also offers a variety of Tobiuo (flying fish) dishes, a specialty of Yakushima, such as Tobiuo Karaage (540 yen), fried whole flying fish; Tobiuo Tsukeage (390 yen), deep-fried, minced flying fish; and Tobiuo Sui Gyoza (640 yen), flying fish dumplings.

Karaage and tsukeage of flying fish are also available on the lunch set menu and for takeout. The drink lineup includes Yakushima shochu Mitake and Yakunoshima, Tankan mandarin beer, passion fruit beer, and Yakushima passion fruit wine.

“I feel it is my duty to spread the charm of Yakushima through our food. Once the pandemic settles down, I want many people to visit Yakushima,” said Hirata.

He also added: “A shop is something that moves forward together with the customers. I would like to continue to grow this business along with the support of our customers.”

Opening hours: 11:11 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. and 5:17 p.m. – 10:22 p.m. (subject to change at the request of the national and prefectural governments). Open daytime only on Sundays.

  • Inside the izakaya: Yakushima de Minshuku Yatteimashita

  • Table seating of Yakushima de Minshuku Yatteimashita

  • Yakushima de Minshuku Yatteimashita’s signboard

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