YUWAERU Café: Traditional Japanese Set Meals with “Nekase Genmai”

Just steps from Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine in Sapporo, YUWAERU is a popular café housed in a traditional Japanese-style home. Dedicated to bringing traditional Japanese food culture into modern life, YUWAERU is best known for its signature “Nekase Genmai” (aged brown rice), handmade in-house and praised for its unforgettable chewy texture. In this article, we’ll share our experience of enjoying a seasonal set meal made with local Hokkaido ingredients, along with a look at the café’s first-floor grocery corner, which features onigiri rice balls, ohagi sweets, and many other thoughtfully selected items.

What is YUWAERU? A Cozy Café in a Traditional House Near Maruyama Park, Sapporo

Located just steps from Maruyama Park in Sapporo, YUWAERU is a cozy and inviting café housed in a renovated traditional Japanese home. This much-talked-about spot reopened in January 2023 after relocating from Paseo, an underground shopping center directly connected to Sapporo Station. The move was prompted by the expansion of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Now nestled in the lush, green Maruyama neighborhood, the café sits right beside a beloved local park, making it a perfect destination for both tourists and locals.

YUWAERU is operated by the company Yuwaeru Co., Ltd., whose guiding philosophy is to “connect a comfortable lifestyle with a better world.” Their mission bridges the wisdom of traditional Japanese living with the needs of modern life.

Their signature product, Nekase Genmai®, is a nutrient-rich aged brown rice cooked using a special method that brings out a chewy, mochi-like texture and subtle natural sweetness—making it an appealing and sustainable alternative to white rice. Paired with fermented foods and seasonal ingredients, it offers a delicious way to embrace what they call a “new traditional diet.”

This philosophy comes to life in the daily dining experience at YUWAERU.
The concept of the café is:
“One bowl a day, a Genmai lifestyle.”

Rather than striving for perfection, YUWAERU encourages healthy habits that are realistic and enjoyable—helping people nourish both body and life through mindful eating.

The building includes a first-floor grocery shop selling onigiri rice balls, ohagi sweets, and other takeaway items, while the second floor features a restaurant offering set meals based on traditional Japanese cuisine. The café has gained a devoted following—especially among women drawn to natural, health-conscious living.

What’s on the Menu at YUWAERU? Aged Brown Rice Lunches and Nourishing Japanese Dishes

The second-floor restaurant space at YUWAERU is warm and welcoming, with natural wooden accents and large windows that offer a peaceful view of Maruyama Park.

While walk-ins are welcome when seats are available, we made a reservation in advance since we were visiting as a family of three.

Based on the latest menu available during our visit, YUWAERU offers a variety of wholesome options including lunch sets and light meals.

At lunchtime, you can choose from two traditional Japanese set meals made with Nekase Genmai® (aged brown rice), or enjoy a flavorful bowl of brothless tantanmen noodles made with brown rice noodles.
While wheat is generally not used in the dishes (except for condiments), guests with allergies should double-check with the staff just to be safe.

What is Nekase Genmai®?
This is YUWAERU’s trademarked “aged brown rice” made by pressure-cooking brown rice and allowing it to rest for 2–3 days.
The process transforms the rice into a delightfully chewy texture with natural sweetness—completely redefining the traditional image of brown rice.
Official YUWAERU Website

Tasting the Ichiju-Issai Set Meal: A Harmonious Lunch with a Gentle Touch of Koji Coffee

This time, I ordered the Ichiju-Issai set meal.
But first—take a look at the photo.

The meal includes Nekase Genmai rice, miso soup, a main dish of fish, and eight carefully prepared side dishes. Beautifully arranged and visually appetizing, the set feels both elegant and satisfying.

Here’s what was served that day:

• 【Main Dish】Grilled Masu Trout (Saikyo-zuke style) from Utoro, served with nukazuke pickles
• 【Small Side Dish】Taro dumpling in a savory glaze
• 【Assorted Side Dishes】Beet potato salad,Mozuku vinegar seaweed,Kinpira burdock root from Tokachi,Smoked seasonal vegetables,Duck in soy-based dashi,Crispy rice cracker with cheese,Tuna with sweet vinegar miso

The much-talked-about Nekase Genmai is cooked with azuki beans and has a wonderfully chewy texture.
With every bite, the subtle sweetness and umami of the rice spreads through your mouth.
It’s delicious enough to eat on its own—even though sesame salt was provided, I enjoyed it together with the side dishes.

The main dish, Saikyo-marinated trout from Utoro, was tender and packed with umami.
While the seasoning was relatively bold, it wasn’t overly salty—striking a perfect balance with the other components on the plate.

The duck marinated in dashi soy sauce was also tender and full of flavor.
Being able to enjoy both fish and meat in a single meal felt like a small luxury and a delightful bonus.

Each dish offered its own unique taste, color, and texture,
yet everything came together in perfect harmony—an experience that truly impressed me.鴨肉のだし

After the meal, I tried “Coffee Koji,” which I had been curious about.
The café offers two intriguing coffee drinks:

• Brown Rice Coffee – a caffeine-free drink made by roasting brown rice
• Coffee Koji – a unique beverage made by fermenting coffee beans with koji mold

I chose the latter, eager to taste this unusual creation.

The Coffee Koji arrived in a heatproof glass wrapped in a cozy felt cover—a charming presentation.

With the first sip, I noticed a deep, roasted aroma reminiscent of dark roast coffee.
However, the bitterness faded quickly, replaced by a gentle sweetness that lingered pleasantly.
Its clean finish and rich aftertaste make it a great choice even for those who don’t typically enjoy coffee.

I later learned that the fermentation process reduces the caffeine content by about 25%.
(Available for purchase at the café’s first-floor grocery, sourced from Fukuyama Jozo’s online shop.)

Basking in the warm sunlight, I enjoyed a relaxing and satisfying lunch featuring a beautifully crafted Ichiju-Mansai set and a gentle, body-friendly cup of Coffee Koji.

Well-Stocked Grocery Corner: Onigiri and Specialty Foods You Can Buy at YUWAERU

On the first floor of YUWAERU, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated grocery shop offering everything from the café’s original products to carefully selected foods sourced from across Japan. Handmade daily, items like onigiri rice balls, ohagi sweets, and bento lunches are available for purchase.

The shelves are lined with high-quality miso, fermented foods, natural snacks, seasonings, drinks, and more—each item chosen for its ingredients and craftsmanship. The sheer variety makes it hard not to stop and browse.

One standout is the Kōji Coffee served upstairs, which is also sold here and would make a unique and health-conscious gift.

The onigiri selection changes daily, with the Ginger and Bonito Flakes (¥300) being one of the most popular. As for bento lunches, you can choose from two options using aged brown rice: one featuring grilled fish and the other fried chicken (each ¥1300). They also offer a dry-style Tantan Genmai Noodles bento (¥1300).
Ohagi (sweet rice balls) were sold out during my visit, but they can be freshly prepared upon request.

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It’s a good idea to place your order in advance, either in-store or by phone. Delivery is also available via Uber Eats and Wolt, making it convenient for those who live farther away or prefer not to go out.

Here’s what I ended up taking home:

• Kōji Coffee　¥1290
• Premium Toroiwashi Canned Sardines　¥1080
• Dried Firefly Squid　¥457
• Organic Brown Rice Yomogi Mochi　¥546
• Aged Brown Rice Pack (Adzuki Blend)　¥333

The Premium Toroiwashi sardines, caught in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, are a favorite of store manager Ms. Uenishi. These sardines are in peak season and known for their rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

In the bottom-right corner of the photo, you’ll spot the famous sardine can. YUWAERU’s grocery section also features many premium snacks that would make excellent gifts for the sake lover in your life.

YUWAERU Maruyama Park – Essential Information

Even if we understand that traditional Japanese meals are good for the body, it can be hard to incorporate them into our daily lives—especially when we’re used to the pace of modern living. You may have even tried cooking brown rice before, only to find it difficult to keep up.

That’s where YUWAERU comes in. The café offers a thoughtful way to “connect” the best of traditional wisdom with today’s lifestyle, without feeling like a chore.
From their addictive Nekase Genmai (aged brown rice), to nourishing Ichiju-Mansai set meals, wholesome sweets, and carefully curated grocery items—
every detail is designed to support a balanced and sustainable way of living, in a relaxed and approachable manner.

If you’re looking to reset and nourish your body, treat yourself to a comforting Nekase Genmai lunch while taking in the fresh air of Maruyama’s nature-rich setting.

Thank you for reading to the end.

This article reflects a visit made in June 2025.

Store Name	YUWAERU Sapporo Maruyama Park Branch
Address	Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome 2-18, Chuo-ku, Sapporo　Open Map
Access	・About 5-minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station (Tozai Subway Line) ・About 10-minute walk from Nishi 28-chome Station (Tozai Subway Line)
Phone	011-300-2469
Business Hours	10：00-17：00 ・Morning：10：00-11：30 ・Lunch：11：00-17：00 LO16：00 ・Café：11：00-17：00 LO16：30
Closed	Open daily ☆For the latest hours and holidays, please check the official Instagram.
Parking	3 spaces behind the store
Cashless Payment	Major credit cards accepted
Seating Capacity	24seats
Kid-Friendly	Yes (Note: No kids’ menu. You may purchase onigiri etc. on the first floor and eat upstairs.)
Delivery	Available via Uber Eats and Wolt
Official SNS	Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yuwaeru_sapporo/
Official Website	https://www.yuwaeru.co.jp/sapporo
External Links	Tabelog https://tabelog.com/hokkaido/A0101/A010105/1073334/
Notes	Events such as morning yoga, kintsugi workshops, and farmers’ markets are also held. For details, please contact the café directly.