Ooyakiimo: Century-Old Baked Sweet Potatoes & Oden

For over a century, Ooyakiimo (大やきいも) has been a cornerstone of local life in Shizuoka, celebrated for two simple, perfected specialties. The first is its namesake, yakiimo (baked sweet potato), slow-roasted in a large, traditional kiln until the skin is crisp and the inside is exceptionally sweet and moist, finished with a touch of coarse salt to elevate the flavour. The second is Shizuoka-style oden, simmered in a black dashi broth that has been continuously replenished for more than 80 years, giving it an incredible depth of flavour.

Guests consistently praise the contrast of textures in the yakiimo. The daigaku-imo (candied sweet potato) is also a favourite for its crunchy exterior. For the oden, reviewers highlight how well ingredients like beef tendon (gyū-suji) and local black hanpen soak up the rich, dark broth. The simple, retro dining room adds to the nostalgic experience, which reviewers find is excellent value for the modest prices. A typical meal costs between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. Reviewers recently paid around ¥130–¥250 for oden items like beef tendon, ¥380 for a box of daigaku-imo, and ¥280 per 100g for yakiimo sold by weight.

The main challenge is operational. The shop is small and very popular, leading to queues and frequent sell-outs of the yakiimo and daigaku-imo, often by mid-afternoon. Note that yakiimo is seasonal (autumn to spring), with shaved ice (kakigōri) offered in the summer.

• Booking: Walk-ins are standard and booking is not required, but expect to queue during peak times. Reservations are accepted by phone.
• Getting There: The shop is an 8-minute bus ride from Shin-Shizuoka Station (get off at the ISEL21 stop) or a 10-minute taxi from Shizuoka Station.
• Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
• Practical Info: The menu is in Japanese, and ordering is partly self-service. No alcohol is served.
• Seating: There are 35 seats, with both table and tatami mat seating available.
• Children: Children are welcome.
• Parking: 12 parking spaces are available nearby.
• Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.