Love "me and my island". Omishima [cultivating gourmet] is not for you🍻

Located almost in the center of the Seto Inland Sea, Omishima Island is home to Oyamazumi Shrine, which is touted as the "guardian deity of Japan." It is also attracting attention as a major hub of the Shimanami Kaido, which connects the Geiyo Islands, and many tourists visit to experience its noble cultural value and serene scenery. On the other hand, the island has a population of about 5,000, and has a strong presence as the core of the Geiyo Islands in terms of living environment and commercial area. A symbolic example of this is the Omishima Branch of Ehime Prefectural Imabari Kita High School. This is the only high school on the island, and is a branch of Imabari Kita High School on the mainland of Shikoku, with about 80 students. Although it is a small branch school, it is characterized by an educational policy that is closely related to the climate of Omishima and the local residents. In particular, the "Island Design Club" has been working single-mindedly to promote the island's charm and revitalize it, such as by working as a volunteer guide for Oyamazumi Shrine and producing guidebooks for the island. However, due to the recent depopulation, the number of students enrolled has decreased, and the school is in danger of closing. To overcome this predicament, the branch school has been promoting its own unique style, including the Island Design Club, and has been recruiting students from all over the country since 2019. The restaurants on the island are the backbone of this, and they have worked together to support the survival of the branch school and the lives of its students, taking turns providing meals for students who live in the boarding house from far away. ① Omishima Brewery (photos 1-5) From Miyanoura Port, the gateway to the island, to Oyamazumi Shrine, a path lined with stone lanterns leads you to a collection of restaurants and shopping spots with rich designs. In the evening, when the number of tourists is sparse, many stores close their doors, but among them, the lights of the Omishima Brewery create a peaceful and enjoyable evening. The brewery was established in 2018. The owner, originally from Matsuyama City, arrived in Omishima after training at Minoh Beer in Osaka in search of a place to brew beer and live. The brewery and taproom were opened in a renovated old house facing the approach to Oyamazumi Shrine, and it is in a great location with the warmth of wood, a wide frontage, and the soft Seto Inland Sea breeze. When you enter the store, you will find sofas set up in the earthen floor of a Japanese-style house, and at the back there is a tatami room with the sweet scent of tatami. If you sit down on the step, you can gaze out at the approach to the shrine, and it feels so comfortable that you feel as if you are drinking at home. In addition to beer bar staples such as "blonde ale" and "stout," the menu also includes local flavors such as "white ale" made with organic citrus fruits from Omishima. I ordered it right away and the subtle aroma of yuzu and light mouthfeel were in harmony, making it the perfect taste to start drinking. On the other hand, the "pork bacon" that goes well with beer is full of rich flavor and good fat, creating a striking yet well-matched contrast. As I sat on the terrace to cool off in the evening, I found a guidebook created by the Shima Design Department next to me. This brewery is also a store that undoubtedly supports the survival of the branch school, and the husband and wife owners talk about their efforts and memories with the students. The wonderful hope that the students who grew up on the island will return to drink beer someday made the intoxication even more intense. Access: About a 5-minute walk from Oyamazumi Shrine Menu example: Various half-sized beers (600 yen), pork bacon (550 yen) ② Kitsune no Botan (photos 6-9) "Kitsune no Botan," located right in front of the second torii gate of Oyamazumi Shrine, is an izakaya run by a husband and wife who serve as the chairman of the "Omishima Branch School Promotion Council," the center of support for the branch school. The wife is an alumna of the branch school, and the owner is a migrant from Hiroshima Prefecture. He offers his home as a boarding house and welcomes students from all over the country. Therefore, he has a detailed understanding of the hopes and worries of each student and how the entire island supports their lives, and he explains them in simple terms to tourists like me. The food and drinks are also full of love for the region, and dishes such as "Yellowtail with Sesame Oil" and "Omishima Lemon Sour" are a perfect representation of seasonal fish and vegetables and the island's bounty. Each dish is creatively intricately crafted, and when you savor them slowly and pair them with alcohol, you'll understand why. As the night drew on, we ordered grilled rice balls to end our night on the island. The savory burn of the soy sauce and the delicious taste of the plump rice made me feel strangely nostalgic and at peace, which must be because this restaurant specializes in "cultivating gourmet food." I was left with a strong, warm impression. Access: About 1 minute walk from Oyamazumi Shrine Menu example: Yellowtail with sesame oil (900 yen), grilled rice balls (250 yen), Omishima lemon sour (550 yen) #Omishima Brewery #Kitsune no Botan #Omishima #Omishima gourmet #Oyamazumi Shrine #Imabari #Imabari City #Imabari gourmet #Shimanami Kaido #Shimanami JAPAN #Ehime Prefecture #Ehime trip #Ehime sightseeing #Ehime walk #Ehime gourmet #Shikoku trip #Shikoku sightseeing