My favorite places in Ogaki
My favorite thing about small cities is that they are more relaxed and less overwhelming to explore. I do all my exploring via bicycle or on foot, unless I am hopping on the train to a farther location. I even make an hour long bike ride out to this amazing restaurant in Yoro.
Anyways, there are some hidden gems and great places to visit in Ogaki and the surrounding area. Many of them are near Ogaki station, which is convenient if you want to head to Gifu or Nagoya.
Ogaki Castle is a very modest sized castle, but has a lot of charm. You can go inside and learn about its history and see weapons used during battles. I think there is a small fee to get inside, about 200-300¥. The castle sits right next to Ogaki park, which has a great playground, an open field for ball sports, and even a shrine. On a beautiful summer day the castle and park are a great place to take a stroll and eat some ice cream.
Unfortunately Ogaki doesn't have a lot of good cafes in my opinion, but Cheesecake Princess is probably the best in the area. The shop has a decent selection of cheesecakes, most of them Japanese style. This just means that the cakes are lighter and more the consistency of mousse, apposed to the creamy, dense luxury that are American cheesecakes. If I'm being honest, I prefer the thicker dessert from my homeland. But Japanese cheesecakes are still delicious. Plus you can eat more and feel less guilty about it! Aside from the cakes, there is tea and coffee, as well as a savory quiche.
This place is perfect for a date or a solo endeavor. I go there to write sometimes. The first floor is small and bright, but the top floor is more spacious and has tatami, so you have to remove your shoes. You can't go wrong with either space. And you certainly can't go wrong with the cheesecake.
This is actually probably my most favorite place in Ogaki. There is something kind of magical about this incredibly small shop that simply sells wooden boxes. It's not particularly easy to find, but it's only down the road from Cheesecake Princess if you follow the river. You can also tell when you are nearing the shop because the scent of warm cedar perfumes the air.
These simple boxes were once used to measure rice, but have also been used to pour and drink sake. There are endless uses for the boxes nowadays, and they are as stylish as they are practical. I have a few myself and even painted one of them. The boxes are so popular they are actually shipped to Europe! Or so I've heard. If you go to Ogaki, you definitely have to stop by this store and bring home a sleek handmade box for you and your friends.
I don't have a picture for the above location, but this place is still fairly new to Ogaki. It's incredibly tiny, but an intimate setting makes for a good time with friends and the amiable staff. There are many flavor selections, including root beer! Which I'm very eager to try. The drinks are also very good! Perhaps one of my favorite places in Japan is a sheesha cafe in Nagoya called Kemuri, but it's a real trek for me to get out to Nagoya, and this place is nestled in a tiny alleyway. The sheesha bar in Ogaki is like a five minute bike ride, so I hope to go back a lot more in the future.
M I R O K U
Again, no photo for this one yet. Also, no link to its location because apparently the bar moved, and I've yet to make it to the new location. However, I've heard that it's fairly close to Ogaki station if you take the South Exit. In fact, there are plenty of restaurants and bars situated along the main road of downtown Ogaki. On the first Sunday of the month there is a flea market on that main strip.
M I R O K U is probably my favorite bar downtown. I like the atmosphere, and had a great time when I went for New Year's Eve. The staff are nice, and they play movies from a projector. At least, in the old location they did. I really need to check out the new space! I'm sure it's just as fun. Oh, and I tried my first habushu there, which is an awamori liqueur from Okinawa containing the deadly habu (snake)!!
Yum!
Curry, rice, and salad
Okay so this place isn't technically in Ogaki, but I love it. It only takes me about an hour to bike there, but the food is totally worth it. Located inside of a clinic that specializes in acupuncture and other natural treatments, this restaurant serves only healthy macrobiotic food, which actually comes from Zen Buddhism. The food is vegan, and while I personally am not, I highly recommend giving this place a try. It has a limited menu and seasonal drinks and desserts, but the hours are wonky. Only lunch is served from 12-2 every day except Fridays and Sundays.
Hope you enjoyed this post!
