“Aji Arai” is a one-star Japanese restaurant facing the Seto Inland Sea. It is a place where you can truly relax and enjoy your meal as it is located 10-minutes walk away from the busy restaurant district of JR Nakatsu Station in Oita Prefecture. The owner, Tomoyoshi Arai, became independent after training at "Kika" in Nishinaka, Fukuoka for about 9 years, and opened “Aji Arai” in his hometown, Nakatsu City, in 2011. As his grandmother ran a fresh fish shop, owner-Arai came into contact with a lot of high-quality fish during his childhood, and this experience is reflected in the dishes that he serves today.
The restaurant serves an Omakase course with the best ingredients of the season. They have various types of seafood that are unique to Kyushu, such as large abalone from Oita in the summer and grouper in the winter. Because the fishing port is close by, you can buy good fish directly from the local fishermen. Aji Arai also offers the finest seafood from all over Japan such as Matsuba crab and An-Kimo from Yoichi, Hokkaido. Arai-san knows exactly how to cook them to create the most delicious dishes of what could be called, ‘Kyusyu Kappo’, and you can only taste it here. In addition, wild game dishes such as wild boar and deer, as well as beef from Bungo, cannot be missed. Owner Arai's attention to detail is also clear from the plates he serves his dishes on which are decorated with the local Onta-yaki from Oita and the Arita-yaki ware from Saga. There are always 30 different kinds of Japanese sake available to enjoy with your seafood. They mainly use local sake from Kyushu (Oita/Fukuoka) and other famous sakes from across Japan which are carefully selected to pair well with the dishes across every season.
Aji Arai has a counter with 8 seats and a private room with a sunken kotatsu that can accommodate up to 2 ~ 12 people. Children are also welcome. Near the restaurant is the "Yabakei" which is said to be one of Japan's three most scenic spots, and it is especially crowded during the fall foliage season. Enjoy the best seafood of Kyushu, beautifully prepared for you by owner Arai, for celebrations with family, such as anniversaries, and also for business dinners and gatherings with close friends.
------------------------------------------------------------------
* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
■Access
A 10-minute walk from Nakatsu Station, North Exit (JR Nippo Main Line (Mojiko - Saeki)
