I had the pleasure to enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with friends who were visiting Yanai for the first time. We saw the historic sights, shopped a little, and decided to grab a bite at a little cozy restaurant called “Bami.”

Unfortunately there were no English menus, however the chef and small staff did speak a little English. Most menus had photos so you can pick and choose your favorite item.  We played it safe and ordered a few items off their lunch menu, nothing special but everything did look wonderful.  As we waited you can smell the rich aroma.  It was all tasty, super fresh, and prices – very reasonable.

Here are a few pictures to look through….

My friend was a seafood fanatic so she ordered the catch of the day, sashimi, and octopus…

 Tempura – light, crispy… need I say more?

To be truthful we ate everything so fast we forgot to take more pictures….burp!

One more note.  If you are walking around in the evening and wish to stop by for a quick nite-cap - this place has ALL the drinks you can think of!   Trust me this chef loves his global collection…very impressive!    Kanpaii!

Directions:  head towards Yanai City on Rt. 188 (be sure to expand the map to see your exact location)  Walking distance from the Yanai train station and the historic “White Wall”  area.

Click on the map link…
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There’s a little cafe in the middle of nowhere, tucked away in the hills of Iwakuni.  This handmade, simply built structure is called “nora.”    Come with me and my friends as we escape to a relaxing environment and enjoy a terrific  healthy organic meal!

岩国市伊房の山の中に、この小さなカフェがあります。この手作りのぬくもりのあるカフェが「nora」です。このリラックした雰囲気の中でヘルシーなオーガニックな料理を楽しみませんか。

Naoko Takabayashi, the owner and chef of this cafe, studied in Tokyo to learn how to make organic bread.   She raises her own natural yeast by using the finest organic ingredients, then bakes her special bread by a handmade wood fired oven. 

高林直子さんがこのカフェのオーナーシェフ。自家製酵母のパンの焼き方を東京で修行してきたそうです。彼女がパンに使うのは天然酵母・国産小麦と天然塩、そして石釜で焼き上げます。

Because she only uses natural ingredients, the bread tends to be a little tougher however this is normal.  Oishii! 

ナチュラルな材料をナチュラルな方法で焼き上げるので、彼女のパンは市販のものと比べて少し固めですが、噛めば噛むほど味わい深いパンですよ。うーん　美味しい！

Nora’s lunch menu is simple and full of fresh organic vegatables.   You can taste the savory flavors and the curry meal…wonderfully light, colorful, and delicious!   Eating well never tasted so good! 

そして、カフェのメニューはシンプルですが、新鮮なこだわり素材をつかったランチをいただくことができます。カレーのセットのどの素材も香りでいっぱい、だけどあっさりしていて、カラフルでそして美味しい一皿になっています。あなたの味覚を信じてください。　身体によい素材は美味しいと感じるものですから。

Sample of our lovely lunch menu – very wonderful!
noraのカリー　とってもステキ！

Green Tea Cake
抹茶のケーキ

Chocolate Brownie Cake
チョコレートのケーキ

Ume Cake
チェリーのケーキ

This unique cafe is open only on Saturday’s and reservations are recommended.  Typically, she’s open only on sunny days, however if you call in advance she will accomodate on rainy days too!  Unfortunately, no English is spoken but don’t let that stop you…make the effort and visit Nora soon! 　

このユニークなカフェは土曜日のみ営業で要予約です。今までお天気の良い日のみオープンしていましたが、最近では予約があれば雨の日でも開いていますよ！残念ながら英語のメニューはありませんが、ぜひ外国人のあなたも訪れてみてくださいね！　 

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Information about the café ：
nora （のら） 

  Cafe update-  Additional Information during this Summer  
  Nora will be closed during 7/29 -30,  8/5 -8/25.   She is going to France to brush up on her bread baking skills!

お店の休業日の情報（２０１０年夏期）
７月２９日～３０日　京都で修行のためお休み　
８月　５日～２５日　フランスでパン焼修行のためお休み　　　になります。