"Ainu Homestyle Cuisine Ponchise," which graduated from Obihiro's Kita no Yatai in October 2025, reopened in November of the same year at the former site of "Gyoza no Shofuku." This new location, a step up from the food stall, has become a place where a freer, more open atmosphere flows, connecting a diverse range of people. In this article, we'll introduce not only the restaurant's menu but also its background and its charm as a gathering place for people.

A 5-minute walk from Obihiro Station, "Ponchise" is a street-level shop nestled in an alley of office buildings.

"Ponchise" began its journey at Obihiro's Kita no Yatai, but its inception was marked by a major turning point in the life of its owner, Junko-san. Originally, Junko-san was a customer at Kita no Yatai. As she frequented the stalls, she began to think, "I'd like to open my own place here someday." However, with her children still young, she initially gave up on the idea, thinking, "Now is not the time." But just one week later, she was diagnosed with cancer. At the same time, she received a call from the Yatai management, asking if she'd like to try being a trainee at the food stall.

Owner Junko-san. Ponchise literally means "small house."

The fear of "I might die" removed her mental brakes, and Junko-san decided, "I'm going to do what I want to do." She joined the Yatai as a trainee and continued to run her stall at Kita no Yatai for the next eight years. "If it weren't for the illness, my desire to open Ponchise might have just remained a dream," she reflects.

The logo features the same mark as owner Junko-san's tattoo.

As she continued her business at the stall, she gradually began to envision her next steps. One of the catalysts for wanting to relocate was a live concert she held in her stall, featuring a singer friend. While the concert in a space that could only hold about 10 people was enjoyable, she also felt it was a bit cramped. "I want to create a place that can better showcase the charm of these people." This thought grew, and she began to imagine a space that could accommodate about 40 people, a place where people could gather and express themselves more freely.

The carefully designed interior is simple yet tasteful, with Ainu influences felt throughout.

She wanted to create a place that could shine a brighter light on her artist friends and support their activities. This desire led to the relocation. And so, she chose the current location for her restaurant.

A delightful space just to be in, featuring CDs from the Sapporo-based Ainu music band "nincup," as well as traditional coats, bear photos, and books.

Tender and mild in flavor. The salad is also delicious. "Shiranuka Venison Genghis Khan (with salad)" for 1,320 yen.

If one were to perfectly replicate ancient Ainu cuisine, it would involve the entire lifestyle of the Ainu as a hunting people—hunting deer, gathering wild plants, and performing rituals. However, it's not realistic to reproduce that exactly in a restaurant setting.

Alpine leek and leaf wasabi, foraged by the owner herself.

On the other hand, the Ainu people living today naturally carry on their culture in their daily lives. At Ponchise, they serve dishes while cherishing "the flavors that are still eaten today and the Ainu traditions that they wish to pass on."

"Sikerebe-shu," a liqueur made by infusing Amur cork tree berries and bark, for 880 yen.

"When I was a child, I ate Ainu food without thinking much about it. But when I got a little older, I realized that the people around me weren't eating it, and there was a time when I distanced myself from it," says Junko-san.

"Muninimo-shito," fermented potato dumplings, for 770 yen. Served with butter, salted kelp, and mefun (fermented salmon kidney).

"Pone-ohaw," a soup simmered with pork bones and vegetables, for 770 yen. Its gentle flavor warms the body.

Nevertheless, the flavors she grew up with were still special. As she became an adult, she began to re-engage with Ainu cuisine. The taste of her mother's cooking, imbued with all these memories, is the root of the cuisine at Ponchise.

"Homemade Butterbur Sprout Miso & Cream Cheese with Nanbu Senbei Crackers" for 770 yen. A specialty that incorporates Nanbu senbei, as her father's roots are in Hachinohe.

Ponchise is regularly closed on Sundays and Mondays. However, these are not quiet days off. The space hosts a variety of events, such as curry and biryani pop-ups, a project to support Myanmar refugees, live music, and workshops. On some days, the pop-up curry shop "saam" serves food, while on other nights, it transforms into a Tonkori workshop or a wine bar.

"Even for events I'm not hosting, I somehow end up showing my face and drinking with everyone (laughs)." Perhaps it's because of Junko-san's personality that people naturally gather here. Ponchise can also be booked for private parties of 15 or more people and is equipped with a screen and projector, making it a venue that accommodates many people's "I want to try" ideas.

After the relocation, a new lunch service was launched. This was something not offered during the Kita no Yatai days, allowing customers to enjoy the taste of Ponchise during the daytime.

The newly started lunch service. This is the "Sikerebe-spiced Braised Pork Bowl" for 1,210 yen.

The menu includes items like the "Sikerebe-spiced Braised Pork Bowl" (1,210 yen) and "Pone-ohaw (with udon noodles)" (990 yen). Partly due to the start of lunch service, the number of female customers has increased. Recently, thanks to the influence of the popular manga, anime, and movie "Golden Kamuy," there has also been an increase in visitors from overseas, including South Korea and Taiwan.

The "Seimei Banzai Festival" organized by owner Junko-san.

Owner Junko-san also organizes the annual "Seimei Banzai Festival." This year will mark the fourth time the event is held, with the venue being Tokachibuto in Urahoro Town, a place whose scenery she fell in love with.

The 2026 event is scheduled for August 22nd and 23rd. It will feature various attractions, including a live performance by Yoko Toyokawa (owner Junko-san's sister), the singer of the Sapporo-based, globally active Ainu music band "nincup," as well as karaoke facing the sea, dancing, and more. Ponchise is not just a restaurant; it has become a base for sharing Ainu culture.

*Lunch service will be suspended until after Golden Week for wild plant foraging and preparations for the Seimei Banzai Festival.
*All prices include tax.

Ainu Homestyle Cuisine Ponchise

■Address: 16-4 Nishi 3-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro-shi
■Hours:
・Lunch: Wed, Thu, Fri 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM (L.O. 1:30 PM)
・Dinner: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (L.O. 9:30 PM)
■Closed: Sundays & Mondays
*Events may be held on regular closing days.
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