Cafe Shozan, Oshima on the Shimanami Kaido: A Seaside Cafe Lined with Books (“YU-NAGI” in the Film “You, Like a Star”)

Cafe Shozan (カフェ ショーザン) stands on the seafront in Yoshiumi, on the island of Oshima.
It is a white-walled cafe on a coastal road, and the inside is lined with books.

The author of this site lives in Imabari and stopped here last, after a day of visiting the filming locations of the movie “You, Like a Star” (Nanji, Hoshi no Gotoku).
In the film, this is the shop that Toko runs, “YU-NAGI”.

Why it is worth a visit

If you are riding or driving along the Shimanami Kaido, this is a good place to stop for a while.
You sit by the window with a coffee and a muffin and look out at the sea.

The view from the window is the best part, and it is worth the trip on its own.
Around you are shelves of books, so you can take your time.

A cafe with the sea in front of it

On the sea side is a wooden deck with blue chairs lined up along it.

The Seto Inland Sea spreads out right in front of the shop.
In the afternoon the light bounces off the water and sparkles.

Inside, surrounded by books

As you step in, a cake showcase and a small penguin figure greet you.

Bookshelves cover the walls from end to end, and the atmosphere is lovely.

Among the books are titles about the islands and about travel.
Some of them relate to the film.

The muffin set and the cake set

The author ordered the muffin set.
It is a homemade muffin with coffee.

The blueberry muffin was crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, and it was delicious.
It turned into a quiet, restful break.

Looking around, many people had ordered the cake set.
It comes with two cakes of the day, ice cream and a drink, which looks like a very good deal.

There are meals too, such as spaghetti with meat sauce and a beef curry set.
Drinks include house-roasted coffee, as well as cafe latte and tea.

What other visitors say

The comment you see most in other people’s reviews is that you can relax and look at the sea through the window.
Many call the view the best part.

People also mention that there are plenty of books to enjoy at leisure.
Some are surprised by how generous and good value the cake set is.

Around lunchtime the cafe can be full, and you may have to wait.
You may not get a window seat.

Many visitors stop here for a rest while driving or cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

On the Sunday afternoon the author went, the cafe was full the whole time.
The staff were moving around busily.

If you want to sit and linger, it is probably best to avoid the lunch hours.

As a film location

In “You, Like a Star”, the inside of this cafe is used as “YU-NAGI”, the cafe and gallery that Toko runs.

The stamp for the film’s stamp rally is on a shelf just inside the entrance.
Around it are photos and autographs from the shoot, and a cloth with the name of the shop from the film.

Even if people are waiting for a table, you can go in just to stamp.
On closed days, the stamp is set out in front of the door.

For the other locations on the islands, see our guide to the filming locations, Part 2.
Another location in the city centre is the old coffee shop Apony.

Getting there and parking

From Imabari, cross the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge to Oshima.
The cafe is on the coastal road in Yoshiumi.

The entrance is on the car park side.
The door on the sea side is for leaving only.

The sign says last orders are at 15:00.

In front of the entrance, lemons from the island were on sale.

The car park is in front of the shop.
When it is full, there is a second car park a little way off.

The cafe is open from 10:00 to 16:00 and closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
It does not take reservations.

For a longer look at the area, see the Imabari guide for Shimanami Kaido cyclists.

Questions people ask

Can I make a reservation? No, reservations are not accepted.
If you want to sit and linger, it is probably best to go outside the lunch hours.

Which days is it closed? It is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
It is open from 10:00 to 16:00, with last orders at 15:00.

Can I get there by bicycle? Oshima is on the Shimanami Kaido, and many visitors stop here while cycling or driving.

Can I go in just for the stamp? Yes, even if people are waiting for a table, you can go in just to stamp.
The stamp is on a shelf near the entrance.

Can I get a meal? Yes, there are meal sets such as spaghetti with meat sauce and beef curry.
Drinks include house-roasted coffee, cafe latte and tea.

Shop information

Cafe Shozan (カフェ ショーザン)
Address: 愛媛県今治市吉海町福田119 (Fukuda, Yoshiumi, Imabari, on Oshima)

Telephone: 0897-72-8915
Open 10:00 to 16:00 (last orders 15:00), closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

No reservations.
Parking: in front of the shop, and a second car park a little way off.

Entrance: on the car park side. The sea-side door is exit only.

Hours and closing days can change, so please check before you go.

Original article in Japanese: しまなみ海道・大島のCafe Shozan（カフェ ショーザン）｜映画「汝、星のごとく」YU-NAGIのロケ地で海を眺める

 - English