In late summer, when the summer sun still lingered strongly, on my way to Izu-Nagaoka, I stopped in Kannami town at a popular cafe with a vast 6,000-tsubo open garden.Vivra VivreThis trip is a birthday trip to Izu-Nagaoka to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday.
Nestled amidst the abundant nature of Kannami, this place is less of a typical cafe and more of a destination where you'd want to visit simply to enjoy the vast garden itself. The garden, spanning 6,000 tsubo (approximately 20,000 square meters), is breathtaking even when viewed from inside the building. As you gaze upon the greenery that fills your entire field of vision, the fatigue of your journey, which had been gradually accumulating during your drive, seems to melt away. I never imagined I'd be able to take a lunch break in a place like this on my way to Izu.
"Vivra Vivre" = "Life is wonderful!"
The name of the restaurant, "Vivra Vivre," is derived from French and means "What a wonderful life!" or "How wonderful life is!" I feel a wonderful sense of destiny in visiting a place with this name as the start of this trip to celebrate a loved one's 50th birthday.
The interior of the shop has a warm and natural style, and the view from the windows, which are situated on a hill, is superb.
There's a small corner in front of the shop selling miscellaneous goods and accessories.
Here, they offer dishes that bring out the natural flavors of ingredients, such as vegetables and herbs grown using natural farming methods. They also carefully select ingredients while valuing their relationships with contracted farmers. Inside the shop, they serve honey harvested without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.Beehive ~Murakami Beekeeping~They also sell additive-free, unheated domestic honey, demonstrating a careful approach not only to cooking but also to ingredient selection and relationships with producers.
The bright and spacious interior features comfortably spaced wooden tables and chairs, creating a tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of a mountain villa. Window seats offer views of the expansive garden, making it a charming place to enjoy lunch while feeling close to nature.
We made a reservation for one of the three indoor tables that are dog-friendly. This used to be an open terrace, but it has now been converted into an indoor seating area through an extension, making it a more comfortable space for you and your dog. The indoor seating, unaffected by the weather, is truly a lifesaver for dog lovers. You can enjoy the view of lush greenery from the large windows, and the atmosphere is open and inviting with the warmth of wood. Best of all, even on a hot summer day, you can enjoy lunch with Chocolat in the air-conditioned room. If you are visiting with your dog, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance as there are only three tables available.
There are only two tables available on the outdoor terrace, and dogs are welcome there as well, either on a leash or in a dog cart.
Another major attraction here is the view. If the weather is good, you can see Mount Fuji beyond the 6,000-tsubo garden. On this particular day, there were periods of clear blue summer skies, and we were hoping we might even see Mount Fuji, but unfortunately, it was hidden in thick clouds. (※This image was taken on the day and Mount Fuji was added using AI.) When we asked the staff, they told us that in the summer, the clouds are often thick, and there are many days when it's difficult to see Mount Fuji. Although we couldn't see Mount Fuji, the green scenery that unfolded before us was beautiful enough on its own, and we were able to enjoy the view of the garden, which was full of life unique to this season. When traveling, you sometimes don't get to see the scenery you had planned to see. But a place that makes you think, "I'm still glad I came," is surely a truly charming place. For us on this day, this was exactly that kind of place.
As always, we traveled with our beloved dog, Chocolat. During summer trips, even in dog-friendly restaurants, it's not uncommon for them to only offer terrace seating. However, sitting on a terrace during the intense heat of summer is a heavy burden for both Chocolat and us. So this time, we searched for a restaurant where we could spend time with our dog inside, and we decided on this one. Since our dog was allowed to roam freely on a leash, we brought a bed for Chocolat, and she was able to relax comfortably in the cool interior. Thanks to this, we were able to enjoy our meal with peace of mind.
A pair of binoculars sits quietly on the windowsill. While the scenery can be enjoyed with the naked eye, this is a welcome item for those who want to enjoy views from further away.
As I gazed out at the expansive green scenery visible through the large windows, even the time spent waiting for the food seemed to fly by.
"Half & Half Original Pizza" 2,580 yen
The lunch menu offers a wide variety of options, including pizza, pasta, and curry. Everything looked so delicious that it was hard to choose, but we decided to share a pizza and pasta between the two of us. We chose the "Half & Half Original Pizza," where you select two out of four types. This time, we selected "Margherita with Sliced Tomatoes" and "Grilled Mackerel Pizza with Setouchi Lemon." First, we tried the classic Margherita. It had a familiar taste, and you could really taste the deliciousness of the juicy tomatoes. What particularly impressed us this time was the "Grilled Mackerel Pizza with Setouchi Lemon." The savory flavor of the grilled mackerel was combined with the refreshing aroma of Setouchi lemon, resulting in a rich fishy taste with a light aftertaste. Mackerel and pizza might seem like an unexpected combination at first glance, but the lemon tightens up the whole dish, so it doesn't feel heavy. After one bite, we exclaimed, "Wow! Delicious!" and it quickly became one of our favorites.
"Seasonal colorful vegetable peperoncino" 1,680 yen
The other dish is "Seasonal Colorful Vegetable Peperoncino." From the moment it's served, you're captivated by its beautiful colors. Bitter melon, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and other colorful summer vegetables are piled high. The vibrant green, red, and yellow colors adorn the pasta, making it seem as if a summer scene has been captured in a single plate. The vegetables have a substantial presence, and the portion is generous. It's also the perfect size to share between two people, especially when paired with a pizza.
When traveling, it's nice to have something light for lunch, considering the dinner you'll be having at your accommodation. This pasta dish, packed with vegetables, is perfect for that reason as well.
A colorful and delicious lunch will satisfy both your stomach and your heart.
After finishing our meal, we went to the garden with our beloved dog, Chocolat.
The spacious open garden allows you to take a leisurely stroll through the greenery with your dog.
The garden entrance is located down a slope to the left of the shop entrance, so you'll be looking up at the shop.
Taking a stroll through the lush garden after your meal, enjoying the fresh air, gives you a sense of satisfaction that goes beyond simply having a meal at a restaurant; it's almost as if you've visited a tourist attraction, and it's also perfect for refueling after your meal.
The vast 6,000-tsubo (approximately 20,000 square meters) garden offers different looks depending on the location, even though the greenery is the same everywhere, and simply walking around is refreshing. Chocolat also seems very happy to have a space where she can freely spend time between car rides. When traveling with your dog, you want to choose places that are not only enjoyable for the owner but also comfortable for the dog, so an environment like this is very much appreciated.
Upon arriving at the garden, you'll find a magnificent swing. A photo stand is also provided, and if the weather is good, you can see Mount Fuji in the background of the swing, making it a perfect photo spot.
Holding a chocolate in my arms, I swayed on a swing, enjoying a moment of childlike wonder.
Looking at the signpost, to the left you'll find an "RC buggy circuit" that visitors can enjoy for free, and a "Kunugi forest" with pleasant shade. To the right, it seems there are "forest walking paths," as well as a "dog run" and even a "natural farming field."
At the dog run, you can also let your dog off the leash and play freely.
Vibra Vivre is more than just a cafe; it's a truly relaxing open-garden cafe where you can enjoy a post-meal stroll, spend time with your dog, and connect with nature.
The shop's name, "Vivra Vivre," stands out beautifully against the blue sky. The phrase "Life is wonderful!" seems perfectly suited to the time of day.
This trip was to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday, a significant milestone in his life. We enjoyed delicious food, spent time laughing and relaxing in a lush garden with our beloved dog, Chocolat. It's these seemingly ordinary moments that become cherished memories when we look back on them. On our way to Izu-Nagaoka, we came across "Vivra Vivre" in Kannami Town. What was supposed to be just a "little detour" on our way to our destination turned out to be a wonderful and memorable experience. We would definitely like to visit again in a different season.
Vivra Vivre
Address: 12-1 Hirai, Kannami-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 055-979-5656
Opening hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order 2:00 PM)
(Garden closes: 16:30)
Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (subject to change during Golden Week, Obon, and New Year holidays).
Inside the restaurant: Dogs are allowed (limited to 3 tables).
Terrace: Dogs allowed (limited to 2 tables)
Parking: Yes
https://www.vivra.net/
