Aso Naikei Onsen also has a "late-night diner" — complete with Chinese cuisine

Text and photos by Joel Fukuzawa

Late-Night Diner

Fans of Japanese dramas will be familiar with how often "diners" appear in the shows. Whether it’s the diner in the popular 99.9 Criminal Lawyer, where Matsumoto Jun can focus on cooking to crack a case, or the diner-bar in HERO where Takuya Kimura can order anything and hear “we’ve got it,” or even the manga and TV series directly themed around “Midnight Diner” — whether the diner is the main character or just a side role, there's always more than just the aroma of food. There's warmth, human connection, and occasionally even a bit of wisdom.

When I lived in Tokyo, it was hard to feel that kind of deep human warmth in diners. Maybe it was because there were just too many people, or perhaps because there were so many diner options that interactions between customers and owners weren’t as close or as fun. But this time, after being stationed in Kumamoto, I truly realized something: in small towns, a "diner" isn’t just a "diner." It becomes a gathering place for villagers and an information hub.

The “Roriean” diner in Aso’s Naikei Onsen combines all these elements. It’s the only diner in town open until 2 a.m., and nearly every customer who walks in is a familiar neighbor — so when tourists come in, everyone notices right away.

The food at Roriean is also special. Whether it’s Western-style salads, pizza, or steak, everything is done well and absolutely delightful. For those who love Chinese food, you absolutely must try the mapo tofu or dumplings. And if you insist on Japanese dishes, they even have ramen and lotus root with mustard. Basically, whatever you can think of to order, the owner will respond with a simple:あるよ(We’ve got it.)

But if you think Roriean’s talents end there, you’re sorely mistaken. The owner also runs Roriean Second Shop, which doesn’t serve food — just drinks. Customers don’t go there for meals but to sing karaoke. That’s right, Roriean Second Shop is a karaoke bar, and you can order food from the first shop. The owner and his wife are also quite amusing — they’ve posted signs on the walls and in the bathrooms that read: “All our food is prepared by the two of us personally, so service might be slow. Please be patient.” It seems the owners are here mainly to make friends. (laughs)

Sit quietly in a corner of Roriean, listen to the different conversations and gossip at each table, and you can tell everyone is having a great time. Perhaps that’s the greatest charm of a late-night diner. And if there’s also a 24-hour sento nearby, then Naikei Onsen really becomes an unforgettable spot.

Roriean
Address: 243, Naikei, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Phone: 0967-23-6110