Enjoy Okayama right up until you board the Shinkansen or bus at Hokancho Shopping Arcade

What is Hokancho Shopping Street?

The origins of Hokancho Shopping Street are said to date back to when samurai who served the Ikeda domain started businesses using their retirement money after the domains were abolished and prefectures were established. Inside the arcade and in the Hokancho 1-chome area across Nishiguchisuji (Kokutai Road), a variety of shops, including cafes, bars, local Chinese restaurants, and clothing stores, have lined the shopping street, bringing it to life.

This time, we'll be taking a stroll through the shopping district and introducing some interesting cafes and restaurants.

1. ONSAYA COFFEE Hokancho Branch: The first store of the popular roastery

The first store opened in Hokancho in 2008. Unusually for Okayama, they offer five types of light roast coffee, two types of dark roast, decaf coffee and juice. All the coffee beans for their stores are roasted in their own roaster, and tasting is available. Many customers came to buy beans as soon as the store opened, and it was impressive to see how attentively the staff handled them.

The shop's name, "ONSAYA," is written in kanji as "Otochaya," and you can enjoy carefully selected coffee in a retro atmosphere while listening to music played from speakers from the Taisho era.

Although they are currently not serving meals, you can still enjoy waffles, cakes, baked goods, etc. They also offer a "drink refill service" that gives you 200 yen off your second drink and onwards, making it a comfortable place where you'll find yourself staying for a while.

[ONSAYA COFFEE Hokancho Branch]

Address: 2-9-1 Okayama Prefecture, Hokancho Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 086-252-1103

Business hours: 11:00-18:00

Closed: Open all year round

Strollers: OK

★If you bring your Okayama Marathon bib number on November 9, 2024, you will receive a 100 yen discount on coffee and iced coffee.

ONSAYA COFFEE｜Official Instagram

2. BAR PASTICCERIA TOMIYA: Italian desserts and prepared foods

This shop offers Italian cakes, baked goods, and side dishes. There are over 10 types of desserts that are handmade in-house, and they are made to bring out the sweetness of the ingredients, making them a perfect pairing with alcohol. The "Pumpkin and Orange Custard Cream Pie" (480 yen) in the Chuo is also popular with small children.

There are always about eight types of Italian side dishes available, as well as popular Neapolitan lasagna and panino. Set menus with salad and soup are always available, and dessert can be added for an additional 300 yen. Dolce and other dishes are available for takeout, and reservations are not required.

The restaurant has one table for four and counter seats, and the staff are friendly, making it a very homey place.

[BAR PASTICCERIA Tomiya]

Address: 2-9-10 Okayama Prefecture, Kita Kita Ward, Okayama City, Hokancho

TEL: 086-289-6346

Business hours: 11:30-18:00 (last order 17:30)

Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays

Strollers: Folded strollers are OK

★If you bring your Okayama Marathon bib number on November 9, 2024, you will receive a 100 yen discount on meals or purchases over 1,000 yen.

BAR PASTICCERIA Tomiya | Official Instagram

3. Tamago Hasami-ya: Delicious rolled egg sandwiches made by a Japanese chef

This rolled omelet egg sandwich is made by a Japanese chef who has trained at hotels and sushi restaurants. It actually uses five eggs, making it very filling. The eggs are cracked after the order is placed and served hot and fresh. This popular restaurant opened in January 2024 and has even been featured on local television.

The egg sandwich is topped with tartar sauce, mayonnaise, and ketchup, and is accented with the spiciness of chili oil. If you let them know in advance about allergies or food preferences, they will accommodate you, and they will also cut the amount of sauce in half for children.

We also recommend adding toppings to the plain (600 yen). Each topping costs 100 yen, and you can add up to two. Popular combinations are mentaiko + cheese, and salmon + cheese, and the potato salad topping is about 70g, making it very filling. Reservations can also be made by phone, allowing for smooth pick-up when ordering takeout (a container fee of 50 yen is required).

[Egg Scissors Shop]

Address: 2-1-16 Okayama Prefecture, Kita Kita Ward, Okayama City, Hokancho

TEL: 090-1010-8338

Business hours: 11:00-19:00 *Ends when sold out

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Strollers: OK

★If you bring your Okayama Marathon bib number on November 9, 2024, you will receive a 100 yen discount on all products.

Egg Scissors Shop | Official Instagram

4. DESIGN & COFFEE: A coffee shop attached to a design office

This coffee shop, which also houses an architectural firm, serves specially selected coffee beans roasted in a wok by the owner, who is also a first-class architect. The coffee, roasted medium-dark using a unique method, has a fragrant and refreshing taste.

The walls of the cafe are decorated with colorful paintings by Okayama artists. The cafe seats 15 and serves coffee, juice, homemade pizza, and desserts.

We recommend buying a drink on your way to or from the Okayama Prefecture General Grounds, where many sporting events are held. The grounds are about a 15-20 minute walk from JR Okayama Station. I chose a lemon soda (500 yen/tax included) to go.

It's a 15-20 minute walk from JR Okayama Station to the Okayama Prefecture General Grounds. It's also a great place to stop by on your way home from a sporting event and grab a takeaway drink. I chose a lemon soda (500 yen).

[DESIGN & COFFEE]

Location: 1-4-14 Kita Ward, Hokancho

TEL: 086-363-1420

Business hours: 11:30-17:00 (last orders 16:30)

Closed: Open daily

★If you bring your Okayama Marathon bib number on November 9, 2024, all takeout drinks will be half price.

DESIGN & COFFEE Official Website

summary

Hokancho Shopping Street is close to JR Okayama Station, allowing you to experience Okayama in between sightseeing and business trips. From beloved local shops to newly opened establishments, there are a variety of unique shops, all with a homey atmosphere. If you're visiting Okayama, be sure to stop by Hokancho Shopping Street.