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Feel the abundance of natural energy.
Explore the full flavor of Miyakejima

  • Miyakejima
  • Relaxation
    & Cuisine

Miyakejima, a beautiful island in the Izu Islands chain, is located just a 50-minute flight from Chofu in Tokyo. On this trip, we asked Chef Minako Tanaka to sample the foods nurtured by the island's abundant energy.

We love island vegetables!
Sample fresh produce grown with love by the islanders

Ever since the evacuation order, issued following a massive volcanic eruption in 2000, was lifted, the islanders have been working hard to revive Miyakejima's agriculture. Their efforts make it possible to enjoy a variety of produce grown right on the island.

Nritano is a restaurant that serves vegetables grown to aid in this recovery. Its owner Kenichiro Kikuchi welcomes visitors with dishes using island-caught fish and vegetables picked from Kikuchi Farm, operated by his parents and younger brother right next to the restaurant.

Tanaka, who loves vegetables, started with a salad. She sampled the island okra, cucumber, figs, and dragon fruit. "You can taste the energy and nutrition in these vegetables," she said with a smile. "Raw okra usually has a bitter and harsh taste, but this is so fresh, there's none of that. I'm really surprised!"

The photo above is the Kikuchi Farm Fresh Salad. 1,000 yen. "The freshly picked vegetables have an amazing texture," says Tanaka.

"We thought about ways to help the islanders while they had to evacuate after the volcano erupted," says Kikuchi. "We decided to make a place where islanders and tourists could eat local foods in a casual atmosphere. My family grows vegetables to vitalize the local produce, and I proudly use them in my cooking." Each of Kikuchi's dishes conveys the energy and life force of the island. Come to this nature-rich environment and feel your body and mind energized.

Island Fish Carpaccio. 1,100 yen. The catch changes daily, and today's is kampachi (amberjack). The dish uses onions and oba (beefsteak plant) from Kikuchi Farm and daidai (sour orange) harvested on the island.
In addition to the vegetables used in the restaurant, Kikuchi Farm grows dragon fruit, figs and other fruits.
Mr. Kikuchi also specially requests that certain vegetables be grown.
Island okra is round and soft enough to be eaten raw.

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nritano
Address: 421-5 Kamitsuki, Miyake-mura, Tokyo
Tel: 04994-2-1245
Hours: Opens around 18:00
(Varies by season and weather)
Closed: Sundays

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