Kura-no-Naka Gallery Manrin Bookshop & Café
Along the Old Road of Asuke, a once busy Shio-no-Michi route - as vital backbone trading roads were called - sits this peculiar bookstore, built with special attention for preserving the charming aspect of the olden times. Merging bookshop with gallery and café, it sits in the corner formed by the main road and the adjacent Manrin Alley, joining other buildings in the townscape that feature the beautiful contrasting plaster and black wooden walls.
Among the books available, the shop keeps titles about urban development and nature in particular. Look for the special one published privately by the shop to promote the Asuke area, Asuke-no-Mukashibanashi.
At the gallery in the back, exhibitions are held each season throughout the year, and at the café you can enjoy delicious coffee and homemade pastry.
*: Kura-no-Naka means "inside the warehouse", which tells the original purpose of the structure housing it.
Recommended Menu
Homemade Tarte
Only two plates are baked daily within the premises, so ends when sold-out. Take-out orders not accepted for this tarte.
Basic Information
| Address | 〒444-2424 2 Shinmachi, Asuke-cho, Toyota-City |
|---|---|
| Business hours | 10:00 am–7:00 pm |
| Phone number | TEL 0565-62-0010 FAX 0565-62-0719 |
| Parking | Available (cap. 5 cars) |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Closed | Thursday, Wednesday (Unscheduled) |
| Directions by public transportation | 1-From Nagoya Station, board the Higashiyama Line subway and alight at Fushimi Station. 2-Change trains to the Tsurumai Line bound to Akaike and Toyotashi (may require changing trains again in Akaike - if changing trains in Akaike is not desirable, board the train bound for Toyotashi Station from Fushimi Station). 3-Alight at Toyotashi Station and, from the East Gate Bus Platforms, board the Meitetsu Bus bound for Asuke (足助). 4-Ride for 45 min. (fee 800 yen) and get off at Korankei Ichinotaniguchi (香嵐渓一の谷口). 5-Walk northeastwards 5 min. (300 meters). *Click here to check transportation directions and fares in Toyota. http://michinavitoyota.jp/portal/map_en.html |
| Directions by car | -Approx. 15 min. (9.9km) eastwards from Chikaraishi I.C. of the Sanage Green Road via Route 153, or; -Approx. 20 min. (13.6km) eastwards from Toyota-Kanpachi I.C. of the Tokai Loop Expressway via Route 153. |
| Related links |
Manrin Bookshop & Café Web Site (Japanese)
Manrin Bookshop & Café Facebook Page (Japanese) |
Area Information
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Okashitsukasa Fuugai
Asuke-Area
Customers love our “Tankororin”! These sweets are shaped like the tankororin lanterns that light the old streets of Asuke in the summer. Inspired by the soft yellow light of the lanterns on a summer night, the sweet snack is made of coffee-flavored warabi-mochi filled with custard. They look just like the real lanterns! It's the perfect souvenir to remind you of the fun time you had strolling through Asuke. The shop also contains a gallery and a space where you can rest and enjoy tea and snacks.
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Izukame
Asuke-Area
The Asuke region in Toyota is known for Korankei Gorge, a spot famous for its autumn foliage. Izukame was established in 1887 in Tamachi—the heart of Asuke. It is especially popular for celebrations and family nights out. The restaurant is a three-story building with traditional, Japanese-style elements and offers dishes featuring wild game like boar from the Asuke area. Each private room is beautifully decorated, and the building also has a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 90 people. A great place for meals, meetings, banquets, and other occasions.
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Nichigetsu-Monaka Sohonpo Kawamuraya
Asuke-Area
This confectionery has been producing its Nichigetsu-Monaka sweets since its establishment in 1916. Otebo beans from Hokkaido are cooked low and slow with high-quality sugar to make glossy white bean paste, and filled in a crisp wafer made from sticky rice. The unique wafer will never break into pieces when you hold it or bite it. The confectionery continuously strives to break the mold and set new standards for monaka. The word “Nichigetsu” printed on the surface of the wafers comes from the flag of Asuke Shigenori, who participated in an anti-shogunate movement lead by Emperor Go-Daigo during the Genko Rebellion in 1331, and also fought as a commander in the Battle of Kasagiyama. The monaka has been a well-loved local specialty of Asuke for over a hundred years.
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Korankei Ichinotani
Asuke-Area
Founded in 1965 years ago, this restaurant deep inside Korankei Gorge serves traditional Japanese cooking. Its specialty is hot pot made with wild game—boar, bear, pheasant, and more—and their secret red miso broth. This wild game hot pot is served from autumn to spring.
Recommended Spots
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Obara-An
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Our dishes are made with fresh, local sansai vegetables, bamboo shoots, wild sweetfish, mushrooms, mountain yam, boar, and other seasonal foods. Lean back, relax, and enjoy the taste of nature.
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All Day Dining WINDSOR
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A modern interior with simple wood-print pillars, rays of light coming in from the windows... Hotel guests as well as diners just stopping by for a bite to eat can enjoy a meal in this spacious restaurant. The restaurant is perfect for having a meal with your family, relaxing with your friends, or talking business.
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Blueberry-no-Komichi
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Sweet Corns MEGLiA M Park Shop
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With a comfortable, at-home atmosphere, enjoy morning, lunch, or tea time at Sweet Corns. Their specially prepared roasted coffee is made using raw coffee beans from overseas that are thoroughly roasted by hand. Rather than keeping a stock of roasted coffee beans, the coffee is served right away after roasting in order to preserve the freshness of the coffee. Their handmade bread is also highly popular. Among the many kinds of bread for sale is their handmade matcha bread, where matcha green tea is kneaded into the dough. The complete menu at Sweet Corns includes lunch sets, hot sandwiches, pasta, and drinks. Most of their menu is also available for takeout!