Sawara, a charming town in Chiba Prefecture, is beloved for its well-preserved Edo-era streets and traditional merchant houses. A former bustling trade hub, it’s set alongside the Ono River; visitors can stroll along its picturesque streets lined with historic buildings, immersing themselves in the town’s rich history and vibrant seasonal festivals.
It also has a thriving culinary scene that draws on the area’s history. From cozy coffee shops that evoke the past to modern patisseries, the dining scene in Sawara and the surrounding areas offers a rich palette of flavors and experiences. Whether you’re strolling through the town’s historic streets or seeking a serene spot to enjoy local delicacies, these eight destinations promise to make your visit unforgettable.
Must-Try Foods and Drinks in Sawara
Coffee Tamazawa: From Futons to Fresh Brews
Coffee Tamazawa is a café that bridges Sawara’s storied past with its vibrant present. The Tamazawa family is one of the town’s oldest merchant families, and has been involved in a variety of industries over the decades. The newest generation has transformed this space, once a futon store, into a haven for coffee aficionados. Its interior retains the charm of yesteryears, decorated with vintage items that gesture toward the family’s business legacy in the town, like a safe from the Meiji-era Tamazawa bank.
Beyond its historical allure, Coffee Tamazawa offers expertly brewed coffee, including a house blend, alongside indulgent sweets like the classic gateaux chocolate and seasonal specialties such as the marron Chantilly. Note: The café is only open on weekends and holidays.
Kinmitsudo: A Sweet Potato Paradise
For those with a sweet tooth, Kinmitsudo is the go-to destination in Sawara. This shop is renowned for its Kin Mitsu Imo sweet potato parfaits, a layered creation crafted by skilled artisans using high-sugar sweet potato paste and handmade components. The parfait layers berries, chocolate, nuts, tea and apples for a truly unique experience. The special version of this parfait — aptly named Kin Mitsu Imo’s Castle Parfait in honor of its towering turreted shape, and available only via reservation — elevates the experience. Two varieties of special salt accompany the parfait, enhancing its aroma and flavor.
Behind each parfait lies a dedication to the perfect balance of flavors, honed over years of sweet potato cultivation by the specialized sweet potato farm Ishida Nouen. Kinmitsudo’s decor reflects Taisho-era romanticism, inviting you to slow down and savor each spoonful, making it the perfect spot to indulge after a day of exploring Sawara’s historic streets. The café is run by farm staff and operates on weekends, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., focusing on a “field to table” approach to hospitality.
Inou Chujiro Shoten: Craft Beer and Cheese Delights
Inou Chujiro Shoten offers an impressive lineup of craft beers brewed on-site, complemented by a selection of freshly made cheeses. Its New England IPA, with notes of tropical fruit, is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike, while the seasonal beers keep the menu refreshing throughout the year. Try four of them at once with the very reasonable beer flight experience.
Pair your drink with a platter of the shop’s signature burrata, mozzarella or ricotta cheese, and you have the ideal afternoon snack. With its scenic view of the Ono River, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the town’s laid-back atmosphere.
Auberge de Manoir Kittei: A Garden Oasis for Gourmands
Auberge de Manoir Kittei offers a dining experience that beautifully blends the flavors of Japan and France, set against the backdrop of a stunning, 2,640-square-meter Japanese garden. The restaurant prides itself on its seasonal menu, which features fresh catches from the fishing port at Choshi and locally sourced ingredients. Here, dishes are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the palate, with artful presentations that highlight the natural beauty of each ingredient.
Kittei’s commitment to a playful spirit extends to every part of the experience, from its creative fusion of French and Japanese cuisine to its luxurious on-site accommodation, offering guests a chance to savor the tranquility of the garden overnight.
Michi no Eki Hakko-no-Sato Kozaki: A Journey into Fermented Flavors
Close to Sawara, Michi no Eki Hakko-no-Sato Kozaki is a must-visit for fermentation enthusiasts, offering a dedicated store filled with artisanal products from all over Japan. Here, you’ll find a variety of rare variations of miso, soy sauce and pickles, each representing the rich culinary traditions of different regions of the country.
Adjacent to the fermentation store, the fresh market focuses on locally grown produce, providing visitors with seasonal fruits, vegetables and other fresh ingredients from the Kozaki area. The on-site restaurant ties it all together, serving up dishes that highlight these local flavors.
Nabedana Kozaki Brewery: A Legacy of Sake Brewing
Nabedana traces its roots back over 330 years. Founded in the Edo period, Nabedana originally brewed sake in Narita before expanding to multiple locations, including the Kozaki site, which was acquired in 1897. During World War II, when the state control of the economy became increasingly severe, the brewery consolidated its operations to Kozaki due to its ample space, access to high-quality rice and abundant water supply.
Today, the Kozaki location’s on-site store is a must-visit, offering a wide range of the brewery’s expertly crafted sakes, including exclusive aged varieties. Open daily, the store provides tastings, making it an ideal spot to discover the delectable flavors of Jinyu, Fudoh and other standout brews. For those curious about the brewing process, guided tours of the historic facilities are available with a reservation at least one week in advance; the tour fee includes a sake tasting, conducted after the tour.
Inae: Traditional Sweets in a Serene Setting
Inae offers a serene café experience where visitors can enjoy a range of seasonal sweets like anmitsu and shaved ice (available from late spring to autumn), alongside comforting dishes such as udon and rice bowls. The space, with its gentle natural light, is designed for relaxation, inviting guests to linger over a meal or a refreshing drink like the house-made green lemon soda. In addition to the café, Inae features two galleries — a traditional kura storehouse and a Western-style building — hosting art exhibits, music performances and tea gatherings. These spaces are connected by a tranquil courtyard, adding a touch of Sawara’s historic charm to the modern, cozy atmosphere.
Le Un: Inventive French Fusion
At Le Un, Chef Hidemi Amau creates a distinctive culinary experience that combines French techniques with the rich, fermented flavors of Sawara. The Nipponia Sawara Merchant Town Hotel’s flagship restaurant, Le Un is housed in a renovated sake warehouse belonging to Babahonten Sake Brewery, and it retains its original charm with high ceilings, thick beams and sake barrel-shaped washi paper lanterns that reflect the building’s history.
Amau sources seasonal ingredients directly from local producers, aiming to create dishes that can only be experienced in Sawara. “I focus on bringing out the best in each ingredient, using the town’s fermentation culture to add depth,” he explains. His cooking incorporates koji mold-based fermentation, a traditional method that highlights the flavors of Chiba’s varied produce. For instance, he replaces French cheese in some of his recipes with sake lees, creating a nuanced, umami-rich depth. “It’s about honoring what this place has to offer,” Amau adds, “and finding ways to make even humble ingredients shine.”
The dining experience extends beyond the plate, with the bar serving a mirin-based cocktail, another nod to the venue’s heritage as a mirin storage site. Cooking in a space once dedicated to sake-making has deepened Amau’s connection to the area’s traditions, turning Le Un into a bridge between Sawara’s past and present.
More Info
For more information, please visit Chiba Prefecture’s official tourism website.
To get to Sawara by train, take the JR Sobu Line from Tokyo Station to Narita Station. (This will take about 50 minutes on the Narita Express, but be mindful when boarding, as some Narita Express trains bypass Narita Station. On the regular train, it will take around 70–90 minutes, with a possible transfer at Chiba.) At Narita Station, change to a local Narita Line train and ride 30 more minutes to Sawara Station.
Alternatively, you can take an express bus from Tokyo Station to Sawara. The bus departs from the Yaesu Exit and takes around 90 minutes.
