Located on the coast of Okayama, Ushimado, "Stay＆Cafe Akebono" has reopened after overcoming a fire. We introduce the cafe, where you are enveloped in a wall of video, its famous lantern parfait, and a fisherman's inn just a 30-second walk from the beach.
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!
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Table of Contents
- A seaside inn that has been in business for about 50 years has reopened after being renovated.
- Immerse yourself in wall-to-wall projection mapping!
- The cafe's food menu has also been updated.
- Enjoy a magical time with our signature dessert, the "Lantern Parfait."
- There are three guest rooms that offer a seaside view.
- Enjoy the comfort and delicious seafood that only a fisherman's inn can offer.
- If the conditions are right, you can even encounter the blue-glowing "sea fireflies."
- I'm really looking forward to visiting this inn and cafe in the future.
A seaside inn that has been in business for about 50 years has reopened after being renovated.
"Akebono," a seaside inn in Ushimado for about 50 years, added a projection mapping cafe in 2023 and took a new step forward as "B&B ＆Cafe Akebono." However, in August of the following year, the facility was destroyed by fire from a nearby building. After about two years of reconstruction, it reopened in August 2026 as "Stay＆Cafe Akebono."
Owner and fisherman Ueda Ueda says, "After the fire, we looked for new land and vacant properties. We talked it over many times as a family and decided to rebuild in the same place." Cafe owner Ueda Ueda says, "Many people supported us on Instagram and other platforms. Thanks to their support, we were able to try again. With the support of my family and those around me, I was able to make a fresh start."
The new building makes extensive use of timber sourced from Okayama Prefecture. It's a warm and inviting space enveloped in the scent of wood. The cafe has high ceilings and taller chairs to make it more comfortable for the elderly and those in wheelchairs. In the guesthouse, instead of increasing the number of rooms, each room has been made larger to accommodate more guests. The new "Akebono" is a place where people of all ages can relax.
Immerse yourself in wall-to-wall projection mapping!
The cafe on the first floor has been popular for its unique style of projecting images onto three walls. After the reconstruction, the ceiling was raised, allowing for larger screens than before. Attention has also been paid to the sound system, allowing you to immerse yourself even more deeply in the world of the images.
Although it's a seaside cafe, you can't see the ocean outside the windows. Its unique feature is that you can relax while watching various videos, such as a starry night sky, fireworks, a blue sky, and a forest. Shogo says, "The videos change with the seasons. For example, in the summer, people who want to spend time in nature but are worried about insects or the weather can also enjoy it." They select and show videos from over 30 different types to match the season and events.
After enjoying an extraordinary time at the cafe, stepping outside reveals a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea. It's a rare place where you can enjoy both the world of film and the real ocean scenery at the same time.
The cafe's food menu has also been updated.
The menu has also been expanded. Shogo says, "Fried chicken was already popular. We added chicken nanban and yangnyeom sauce (a sweet and spicy Korean sauce) to the menu to increase the portion sizes. Young people, in particular, seem to be satisfied."
On the other hand, the owners focused on healthy menu options. "We received feedback from elderly customers saying they wanted to limit oily foods. So, we turned our signature dashi-maki (Japanese omelet with dashi broth), which we used to serve as a hot sandwich, into a set meal that comes with rice and soup." Even so, they often see elderly customers eating heartily. "We're happy that there are so many energetic customers who eat more than we expected," the two said with smiles.
Enjoy a magical time with our signature dessert, the "Lantern Parfait."
Just as popular as the projection mapping is their signature menu item, the "Lantern Parfait." Shogo explained, "It all started when my son and I talked about how it would be interesting to use lanterns in a dark space and combine them with video projections." The lantern's lamp part serves as the parfait's bowl. This menu item has been a hot topic on social media for some time now. When light shines on it from below, the parfait glows beautifully, making you want to take a picture.
The parfait is packed with seasonal fruits and cream, making it not only visually stunning but also incredibly satisfying. Enjoying it while surrounded by images of a starry sky or sunlight filtering through trees that fill the entire wall creates a truly special experience, as if you've stepped into a storybook.
There are three guest rooms that offer a seaside view.
The second floor of the building houses the inn. The guest rooms are furnished with plenty of wood sourced from Okayama Prefecture. Previously, the rooms had tatami mats, but now all rooms have hardwood floors and beds. The owner says, "We also have rooms that can be used as bunk beds when there are many people, so we can accommodate your needs." Two of the three rooms have balconies with ocean views, and you can also have a barbecue. It seems like you can enjoy a unique seaside getaway. Each guest room has a bath, toilet, TV, and refrigerator. The fishing spot is about a 1-minute walk away, and the beach is about 30 seconds away. It's the perfect place for those who want to relax by the sea.
Enjoy the comfort and delicious seafood that only a fisherman's inn can offer.
At this seaside inn, meals are a major highlight. The owner, who is also a fisherman, prepares dishes using seasonal seafood. It has long been well-regarded, and many guests are repeat visitors.
If the conditions are right, you can even encounter the blue-glowing "sea fireflies."
One special experience available only to hotel guests is observing sea fireflies on the beach at night. Sea fireflies are tiny crustaceans (related to shrimp and crabs) about 2 millimeters long. They are different from "noctiluca" (plankton), which are known as small bioluminescent creatures in the sea. The owner says, "When stimulated, they emit a truly beautiful blue light."
They can be observed from around April to November. They only show themselves on nights when the waves and wind are calm and the moonlight is weak. The beach in front of the inn is where the sea fireflies live. The owner will approach anyone who is interested and give them a tour. It's a luxurious experience only available to those staying here, to see their mystical light up close.
I'm really looking forward to visiting this inn and cafe in the future.
The newly renovated "Akebono" will continue to evolve. Shogo says, "In the future, I want to create performances that meticulously coordinate the lighting and video in the audience seating area. I also want to create original videos with photographers and creators of my generation who are active in Ushimado. I also want it to become a hub that energizes the community." Ideas are expanding to include using the space to take advantage of the adjacent beach and renting out the cafe with a projector.
The owner's words, which I heard during the interview, left a lasting impression on me. "My father, the founder of the inn, was so moved by the sight of the sea in Ushimado faintly brightening at the start of the day that he named it 'Akebono' (meaning dawn in Japanese). I'm carrying on that name and starting anew." This inn and cafe offers guests a memorable experience amidst a pleasant sea breeze. Please come and enjoy the sea of Ushimado and the fantastical world of the images.
【Stay＆Cafe Akebono 】
Location: 2378-2 Ushimado , Ushimado Town Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture
Operating hours (accommodation): Check-in 16:00 / Check-out 10:00
Opening hours (cafe): 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last order 5:30 PM)
TEL: 0869-34-5113 (Shared for accommodation and cafe)
Closed on: Irregular days Parking: Available
*Please check our official Instagram or call us in advance for information regarding closing days, accommodation reservations, and dining options.
*Please check the official website for accommodation and training camp fees.
