When out with your kids, it can be a struggle sometimes to figure out where to eat.

“Will there be food that my kids can eat?” “What about child seats?” “Will my kids keep calm?”

Here, we’ll be introducing you to the five best restaurants & cafés for dining as a family, when sightseeing around Takachiho.

Restaurant Unkaibashi, with its spacious tatami seating

Restaurant Unkaibashi, located along National Route 218, between Takachiho Town and Hinokage Town, is a roadside restaurant with a nostalgic feel.

The restaurant is spacious, with tatami seating including child booster seats as well.

We recommend the “Furusato Set,” which comes with the regional dishes of dango-jiru (Miyazaki-style dumpling soup) and chicken nanban (Japanese fried chicken with tartar sauce). They also offer a variety of options for kids, including a children’s lunch and a children’s curry.

Click here for directions to Restaurant Unkaibashi

Takachiho Shokudo, with its local specialties

Takachiho Shokudo is located near the intersection of National Routes 218 and 325, with a large kagura mask out in front of the store it is easily recognized. There are six parking spaces available.

The restaurant has a homey atmosphere, with both table and tatami seating, as well as child booster seats.

We recommend the “Chicken Nanban Set Meal.” As you might know already, Chicken nanban is a Miyazaki Prefecture specialty. For kids, we recommend the Takachiho specialty, kagura udon (simple udon made with chicken and burdock root).

Click here for directions to Takachiho Shokudo

Café ARIGATO, a kid-friendly café where mothers can dine in style

ARIGATO is a stylish café located near Takachiho Station of the Amaterasu Railway, with a large parking lot along Prefectural Route No. 237.

The windows in the brightly-lit, spacious cafe offer a great view of the Takachiho Station building, platform and train depot, making it a hit with kids who love trains. There are also child booster seats available in the tatami areas.

We recommend their “Butter Chicken Curry,” which is made with local shiitake mushrooms. And why not a fluffy, creamy omurice (Japanese omelette rice) for the kids?

Click here for directions to Cafe Arigato

 Chiho-no-Ie, a restaurant that offers fun for children

Chiho-no-Ie, located near the souvenir shops and fishing pond in Takachiho Gorge, is a must-visit location when you find yourself in Takachiho.

Use the parking lot for Takachiho Gorge, as there is no dedicated parking lot.

While there are no child seats, the bench-style chairs will allow kids to sit and dine right alongside their parents.

But wait, this is the part kids will love: the nagashi-somen (flowing somen noodles you catch with chopsticks) that comes flowing along on long bamboo chutes. The staff at the restaurant will release each cluster of somen noodles at just the right time, so that your kids can catch them.

Any ramen you miss will be brought back to the table, so there’s no stress involved.

Click here for directions to Chiho-no-Ie

Kobiru Chaya, a café run by mothers for mothers

Kobiru Chaya is a café that opened near Takachiho Town Hall on March 1st 2023. While there are many cafes and restaurants that are kid-friendly, this one is our top pick when it comes to those with babies.

That’s because there’s a space in the store for babies and kids to play in. There are also baby beds for changing diapers, and even a nursing room!

While you’ll have to go up and order if you want lunch, the drinks, baked sweets, and more, are all self-service.

The café also offers free hot/warm water that customers can use to prepare baby formula. This level of consideration is only possible because it is a café for mothers, run by those who have been in their position before.

Click here for directions to Kobiru Chaya

Conclusion

These were the five best Takachiho cafés & restaurants to go with your kids. What do you think?

Takachiho is home to many more shops that are both kid- and parent-friendly. Look up some places before you head out, and enjoy your outing.