Mansabō

Taizō Street in central Miyoshi still retains the atmosphere of Old Japan with its many buildings from previous centuries. Towards the northern end of the street is Mansabō, a restaurant located on the grounds of the now defunct Masu no I sake brewery.

Here, Utsunomiya-san prepares elaborate and delicious course meals to order, using the extraordinarily wide range of ingredients available in Miyoshi. Apart from offering gustatory delight, a meal at Mansabō also provides a lesson in the gamut of Japanese food preparation styles. Show the slightest interest, and Utsunomiya-san will pop into the kitchen and bring out and show you some of the ‘secret’ flavourings she uses to such effect.

Mansabō also has accommodation in two elegantly refurbished buildings on the old street, suitable for the needs of couples or families. Akaneko, once part of the brewery, has a combination of beds and futons. Kokū across the road is a luxurious old home with an inner garden and some exquisite décor in various styles.

If you ask, Utsunomiya-san will take you into the old brewery building where there’s a little museum of old brewing equipment and branded bottles from the days when the sake business was booming. Her husband is a manga artist, and the walls of the brewery are decorated with tourism posters he created with many imaginative new interpretations of Miyoshi’s old monster heritage.

Information

Name in Japanese: 万茶房
Pronunciation: man-sa-boh
Address: 1617-1 Mirasakacho Nika, Miyoshi, Hiroshima 729-4302