MK Guide Recommends

Perched in a hillside village overlooking Lake Biwa’s Setta River, Sunai no Sato feels like stepping into a living Japanese scroll—a landscape of plum groves, wildflowers, and mosaic paths. The site centers on Kanou Shoujuan’s century-rooted wagashi craft, taught in artisan workshops and presented in a tearoom where matcha accompanies handcrafted sweets like the signature “Amo.” The adjacent café and winery-style restaurant serve dishes using local produce and Omi beef, including seasonal kaiseki and lunch bento. Seasonal events—from plum-picking in spring to summer sweets—draw visitors back throughout the year. It’s more than a sweets destination: it’s a full cultural immersion, slowed by taste, technique, and season.