Sarabetsu Village, nestled amidst the vast fields and tranquil atmosphere of Tokachi, Hokkaido. In 2022, the beloved Italian restaurant "Stella terra adomani," formerly of Obihiro City, relocated and opened its doors here. With the concept of "making Italian cuisine more accessible," the restaurant has gained a reputation for its pasta, which generously uses fresh local ingredients, and for dishes filled with the owner's travel memories. We'll introduce you to the charm of the restaurant and its cuisine, which blend the everyday with the extraordinary, making it a place you'll want to go out of your way to visit.

The restaurant is located in Sarabetsu Village's "Sarapark," which also houses a hotel.

The restaurant is located inside "Sarapark," a multi-purpose facility in Sarabetsu Village. It's a place that feels like an extension of the local community's daily life, yet it naturally welcomes visitors from outside. It's not quite a tourist spot, nor is it just an ordinary place. A perfectly balanced atmosphere flows, somewhere in between the two.

Table seating with red placemats that add a touch of the extraordinary.

The sofa seats are popular with families. Reservations are recommended.

Originally operating in Obihiro, "Stella terra adomani" decided to relocate to Sarabetsu following an introduction from an acquaintance, restarting in July 2022. Compared to Obihiro, the population is smaller, and it may not be the easiest place to attract customers. Nevertheless, customers travel from all over Tokachi, including Obihiro and Taiki Town, and it has gradually become a beloved spot for the locals as well.

Owner Mr. Hayasaka, affectionately known as "Stella Ojisan" (Uncle Stella).

The restaurant's concept is "Making Italian cuisine more accessible." The dishes, centered around pasta, are all approachable yet meticulously prepared. While it has the casualness of a place you can just drop into, each plate is infused with solid technique that brings out the best in the ingredients and a kindness that aims to delight customers. By the way, the name "Stella terra adomani" is a phrase coined by Mr. Hayasaka, meaning "Let's meet again on this shining land." It carries the hope that even after moving from Obihiro to Sarabetsu, they can meet their customers again here.

Mr. Hayasaka has built his experience working at wedding venues and Italian restaurants in Obihiro, and has also served as a manager of a hamburger shop. He had always planned to start his own business at 30. He chose Italian cuisine after considering that its climate and agricultural environment are somewhat similar to Tokachi's, its appearance is simple, and it's well-suited to showcasing ingredients. He felt it was an excellent way to introduce the foods of Tokachi.

Cherished photos from his time in Italy.

"There are still not many restaurants in this area," says Mr. Hayasaka. "I hope that not just my restaurant, but the entire South Tokachi area becomes more interesting. I would be happy if people made the special trip to Sarabetsu."

Generously using ingredients from Sarabetsu and Tokachi. Savor them in exquisite Italian dishes.

"Stella terra adomani" incorporates local vegetables, bread, and other products. By tasting familiar village ingredients in the form of Italian cuisine, you can discover their charm from a slightly different perspective. It's not just "eating out"; it's an opportunity to rediscover the local food culture.

The bountiful appetizer plate available at lunchtime, featuring salad, bacon, pumpkin salad, carrot rappée, and more.

At lunchtime, you can choose between the "Pasta Course (6 dishes total)" for 2,300 yen, which includes a daily appetizer, pasta, pre- and post-meal drinks, and dolce for a full and satisfying meal, and the "Pasta Set (3 dishes total)" for 1,800 yen, which includes a salad, drink, and pasta.

Choice of pasta. The popular "Shrimp and Nori Cream Pasta."

A memorable part of the lunch is the appetizer plate, which allows you to enjoy a variety of flavors in small portions. It's also characteristic of this restaurant that the chef himself explains each dish. Despite running the restaurant single-handedly, you can glimpse his desire for customers to enjoy the entire dining experience.

A specialty since the Obihiro days, "Stella Ojisan's Omelette" for 750 yen.

"House-made Roast Toyonishi Beef" for 1,300 yen.

Dinner, on the other hand, is centered around an a la carte menu, where you can casually combine your favorite dishes. To meet the demand for parties, they also offer party plans with all-you-can-drink options (starting from 6,000 yen). One of Stella's charms is that everything is very reasonably priced.

"I believe that 'exceeding expectations' is the key to moving people. I want our guests to be happier than the price suggests. It's easy to raise prices, but I want to be creative in other ways." These words from Mr. Hayasaka convey that he values not just the food itself, but the overall satisfaction of the experience.

The interior is bathed in sunlight during the day.

The interior is dotted with memories from his travels in Italy. From the paintings on the walls to the music and the overall atmosphere, you can feel his desire to "create a little Italy in Sarabetsu Village."

One of the dishes that embodies Mr. Hayasaka's travel memories is the tiramisu. During a trip to Italy, he encountered a chilled tiramisu made without sponge cake. Unable to forget its deliciousness, he was inspired to recreate it in his own way. "Stella Ojisan's House-made Tiramisu" is perfectly sweet and an ideal dessert to finish a meal.

"Stella Ojisan's House-made Tiramisu" for 770 yen. Pictured is the half size for 550 yen. (For takeout, a container fee of +50 yen per item applies).

From Obihiro to Sarabetsu. Perhaps the role of "Stella terra adomani" has gradually changed with the change of location. For the locals, it offers a slightly special everyday experience. For visitors, it provides an opportunity to touch the local way of life. "Stella terra adomani" exists in that space between daily life and travel.

Whether you're visiting Sarabetsu Village or living your daily life in this land, this warm Italian restaurant is a place you'll suddenly feel like stopping by. Why not visit to savor a gentle time connecting with the region through food?

*All prices include tax.

stella terra adomani

■Address: 93-38 Minami 1-sen, Sarabetsu-mura, Kasai-gun, Hokkaido
■Hours: LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM (L.O.) / DINNER: 5:30 PM - 9:15 PM (L.O.)
■Closed: Mondays, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays
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