Sarabetsu Village, nestled in the vast fields and serene 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," it has gained a reputation for its pasta, which generously uses fresh local ingredients, and dishes filled with the owner's travel memories. We'll introduce the charm of this restaurant and its cuisine, which blends 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 within Sarapark, a community complex in Sarabetsu Village. It's a place that exists as an extension of the local residents' daily lives, yet it naturally welcomes visitors from outside. It's not quite a tourist destination, nor is it just an ordinary daily spot. A perfectly balanced atmosphere flows in this in-between space.

The table seating, where red placemats 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 an Italian restaurant in Obihiro, and has also served as a manager of a hamburger shop. He had always planned to go independent at 30. He found that the climate and agricultural environment were somewhat similar to Italy, and that Italian cuisine, with its simple appearance, is well-suited to showcasing ingredients. He chose Italian food as the perfect approach to convey the essence of Tokachi's produce.

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

At "Stella terra adomani," they incorporate local vegetables, bread, and more. By tasting familiar village ingredients in the form of Italian cuisine, you can discover their charm from a slightly different perspective. It's more than just "eating out"; it becomes an opportunity to rediscover the local food culture.

The lunch appetizer plate is a delightful assortment, including salad, bacon, pumpkin salad, and carrot rapées

For lunch, you can choose between the "Pasta Course (6 dishes total)" for 2,300 yen, which includes the appetizer of the day, pasta, a pre-meal and post-meal drink, and dolce for a very filling 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 Seaweed Cream Pasta"

A memorable part of the lunch is the appetizer plate, which allows you to enjoy various flavors in small portions. A signature touch of this restaurant is 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, "Uncle Stella's Omelette" for 750 yen

"Homemade Roast Beef with Toyonishi Beef" for 1,300 yen

Dinner, on the other hand, is centered around an à 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 (from 6,000 yen). One of the charms of Stella is that everything is very reasonably priced.

"I think the essence of being moved is the 'gap' between expectation and reality. I want to make people 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 filled with sunlight during the day

The interior is sprinkled with memories from his travels in Italy. From the paintings and music to the way the atmosphere is created, you can feel his desire to "create a little Italy within Sarabetsu Village."

One dish that embodies Mr. Hayasaka's travel memories is the tiramisu. During his travels in 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. "Uncle Stella's Homemade Tiramisu" has just the right amount of sweetness and is the perfect dish to end a meal.

"Uncle Stella's Homemade Tiramisu" for 770 yen. Pictured is the half size for 550 yen. (Takeout adds 50 yen per container)

From Obihiro to Sarabetsu. Perhaps the change of location has also gradually changed the role that "Stella terra adomani" plays. For 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 is a warm Italian restaurant you'll suddenly want to visit. Why not stop by to savor a gentle time connecting with the region through its 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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