Museum Cafe Banana Moon
Museum Cafe Banana Moon is a wonderful cafe and gallery featuring the work of the illustrator Masahiro Naruse. Like many places in Azumino, the quiet wooded area surrounding it makes it both charming and slightly tricky to find. However, everyone in the area knows “Banana Moon Cafe” if you need to stop and double check directions.
The Banana Moon's unique design invites day dreams over coffee and banana chips or wanderings along Naruse’s cherry blossoms and snow filled smoking pipes. The wooded exterior, deck with outdoor seating, and modern minimalist interior makes Banana Moon the perfect setting for relaxation and wonder.
Above the main rotating gallery and permanent collection nook of Naruse’s work, there is an intimate attic like room for temporary exhibitions. Also, don’t forget to climb around the winding stairs from the counter because you will find the small gift shop that sits atop the cafe and features dozens of postcards picturing Naruse's illustrations.
Cafe Recommendation
The cafe menu offers French press or paper filter coffer, a small variety of teas, and juices. I highly recommend the Banana juice which is actually more of a Banana smoothie and comes served with banana chips.
| Access | 10 minute taxi ride from JR Hotaka Station 20 minute drive from the Toyoshina Interchange (Close to Mountain Museum and Hotaka Foot Hot Spring (Ashiyu)) (Japanese Map) |
|---|---|
| Admission | Y500 for adults w/ one drink Free for JHS w/o drink |
| Hours | 9:30am-18：00pm |
| Closed |
Wednesdays (except Golden Week Holidays; but open on National Holiday-Wednesdays, closed next day instead) Weekdays during Jan. - Feb. |
| Address | 3613-32 Ariake, Hotaka |
| Tel | 0263-83-8838 |
| Japanese Web page | http://banana-moonweb.com/ |