『oku – 起く-』それは飛騨高山の朝が、楽しみになる場所。── 旅の朝に訪れたい、特別なモーニングを。

“oku – 起く-”: A Place That Makes You Look Forward to Mornings in Hida Takayama
— A special breakfast spot to visit on your travels. A gentle table that embraces the morning hours.

At 6:30 a.m., Takayama’s morning holds something special. The crisp air, the chirping of birds.
As you walk through the still-quiet streets, your steps are gently halted by the soft glow of light.
That’s “oku – 起く-.”
A Western-style morning café that quietly opened in July 2024, embracing the start of your day.

A Morning to Unwind at “oku – 起く-”
— The Meaning Behind the Name and a Quiet Wish in Classical Japanese

The name “oku” comes from an old Japanese word meaning “to rise gently from bed.”
Tsubouchi says,
“I wanted the name to reflect that quiet moment when you rise from your bed — the very start of your day.”

True to her fondness for old words, the atmosphere of the café feels nostalgic and warm.
Tsubouchi, who is also a co-owner of the popular Takayama bakery Le Pain Mujo, is a skilled artisan, yet her presence is calm and kind.

“At Le Pain Mujo, we aim to energize and uplift people. But here at ‘oku,’ I want people to take time for themselves and enjoy a slow, healing morning,” she says.

Everything Handmade – No Compromise in a Single Plate
Tsubouchi smiles and says, “I guess I’m a bit of a perfectionist.”
Even the dressings and mayonnaise are handmade.
From selecting the ingredients to prepping and adjusting the flavors, every dish is crafted with care by her own hands.

Although she humbly says, “I’m just letting the ingredients do their job,”
the vegetables on each plate are mostly sourced from local farmers in Takayama — with a focus on using produce where the faces of the growers are known and respected.

Spreading the Food Culture of Takayama – Starting from the Morning
For many tourists, breakfast is just a quick stop before moving on.
But at “oku – 起く-,” that one morning moment becomes the highlight of the trip.

“Simple meals that bring out the flavor of each ingredient — I think that’s the essence of Takayama’s food culture.
It’s unpretentious but full of depth. That’s what I want to share,” says Tsubouchi.

A Café That Feels Like an Extension of Everyday Life
Step inside, and you’ll find a space that feels like a cozy living room.
Natural wood furniture and soft lighting welcome you.
Morning sunlight streams gently through the large windows, making it feel as if you’ve been invited into someone’s home.

“In the morning, I want people to eat slowly and mindfully.
We don’t always take time for ourselves unless we make the effort,” she explains.
That feeling is reflected in the atmosphere, and perhaps that’s why everyone who visits seems so naturally at ease.

A Special Morning Plate Awaiting You at 6:30 a.m.
“oku – 起く-” opens its doors at 6:30 in the morning, while the town is still asleep.
It’s the perfect time for travelers before setting off on their day or for locals seeking a peaceful start to the morning.

The signature dish is the “Morning Plate” (¥1,600).

Centered around bread from Le Pain Mujo, it includes house-made ham, mashed potatoes, seasonal deli items, a special soup, and a drink — a true morning feast.
One of the most memorable components is the carrot and ginger potage soup.
The gentle sweetness of carrots and the warmth of ginger softly awaken the senses, helping you transition from sleep into a fresh day.
It’s the perfect cup for Takayama’s chilly mornings.

“Croque Monsieur” (¥1,100)
The Croque Monsieur at “oku – 起く-” is a plate of warmth, gently baked to perfection.
As the town quietly stirs, the scent of buttery toast drifts through the morning air.

This Croque Monsieur is a morning treat that softens your heart, drawn in by that inviting aroma.

Le Pain Mujo Bread × Carefully Made Homemade White Sauce
Naturally, the bread used is from their sister store, Le Pain Mujo.
Slowly baked at low temperatures, this bread is soft even to the crust — fluffy inside and perfectly crispy outside.

Complementing it is Tsubouchi’s homemade white sauce.
It’s a simple blend of flour, butter, and milk, but she carefully watches the heat, salt balance, and even the temperature of the ingredients — a truly meticulous touch.

“Just like bread, the simpler it is, the more difficult and fun it becomes,” Tsubouchi says, her face lighting up like a child full of joy.

Ham and Cheese in Melting Harmony
Essential to any Croque Monsieur are melty cheese and juicy ham.
At “oku – 起く-,” they use house-made ham, free of preservatives, highlighting the natural flavors of the ingredients.
This is wrapped in a golden layer of melted, savory cheese.
As it bakes, the top gently browns, releasing an irresistible, toasty aroma.

With your first bite, the crispy bread gives way to the rich sauce and melted cheese, followed by the savory depth of the ham.

It’s hard to believe that a single bite in the morning could be this satisfying.

A Morning of Comfort, a Natural Extension of Everyday Life

A moment of comfort in the morning —
a continuation of the everyday.

Stopping by “oku – 起く-” in the middle of a journey feels like stepping into the living room of your own home, gently wrapping both heart and body in calm.

In the soft morning light streaming through the curtains,
you’re greeted by the steam rising from soup and the warm scent of freshly toasted bread.
It’s in that peaceful atmosphere that your day begins — slowly and mindfully.

Guests who have visited shared thoughts like:
“It was a moment that brought peace to my heart,”
and
“It became the most memorable morning of my trip.”

Rather than offering something that feels “special” just because it’s a trip,
this place offers a comfort that feels more like “the next morning” — as if life is simply continuing, gently and warmly.

Another charm of “oku – 起く-” is its lunch service (11:00–15:00).
Unlike the tranquil mornings, lunchtime brings a warm buzz of liveliness, offering yet another side of the café to enjoy.

Moving Forward — Slowly, But Steadily

When speaking about the future,
Tsubouchi-san shared her vision softly, yet with unmistakable passion.

“I’d like to try offering take-out, hors d’oeuvres, and even selling our homemade fermented seasonings.
Many customers say they want to enjoy our soups — especially the ones popular at Mujo — at home.
So I hope to gradually create ways for people to enjoy oku – 起く- at home too.”

Her tone was calm, never flashy —
but every word was firm, sincere, and full of clarity.

“I have so many things I want to do —
but I want to do every one of them with care.” (laughs)

By listening to guests, facing each dish with intention, and moving forward, little by little —
Her gaze was gentle, yet focused,
just like when she’s finishing a plate with care.

To All TAKAYAMA Pocket Readers

“I hope you can enjoy your mornings in Takayama in a more gentle, fulfilling way.
I want this to be a place where you can pause from the busy pace of life,
take a deep breath,
and feel like ‘Today’s going to be a good day.’

I’m looking forward to meeting you.”

— From Tsubouchi of “oku – 起く-”