Worth the trip out to Ikegami all on its own, the wonderfully retro Rengetsu Café is set inside a gorgeous Japanese-style structure built in 1933. Occupied for decades by a soba noodle shop on the first floor and an old-fashioned hatago inn on the second floor, the structure looks just like it did back in the early days of the Showa era (1926-1989). Although the straw mats on the ground floor have been replaced by wooden panelling, you can still spot the soba noodle menus above the entrance, as well as the beautiful old counter and an ancient safe built into the wall.
Head to the second floor for an even more traditional Japanese setup with tatami seating and tokonoma alcoves. Take a closer look at the windows – the see-through openings once provided views of the nearby Ikegami Honmonji Temple, while the wooden lattice decor is designed to resemble clouds. The space can be divided into three separate rooms, which you can rent for events and photo shoots.
As for the food, we love Rengetsu's moreish apple pie, best paired with a green apple-flavoured cream soda. If you’re looking for something more substantial, opt for the Rengetsu lunch plate that comes with a main dish, two sides, salad and rice. It’s counter service only, so make sure to secure a seat first before ordering on the first floor.