The Hojo bypass is the typical route taken by drivers who are heading from Matsuyama to Imabari, but this fast road bypasses the sea views of Hojo, with its distant islands and oyster beds. And if you take the bypass, you miss the rather charming Club House, a seaside café next to Hojo marina.
The Club House is a stylish building of red brick, tile and bare concrete set in a little green garden with a palm tree. It sits just behind the seawall separating Shikoku from the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. Inside, it has the same bare concrete, artfully broken into partitions, steel girders, and wooden ceiling. The background music is jazz. A cast iron stove provides warmth in winter, while the potted hothouse plants create a slightly exotic, retrospective atmosphere. If you order enough cocktails and squint, you could fancy yourself to be Ernest Hemmingway.
I dropped into the Club House on a spring afternoon after an energetic ride around the coastline of Matsuyama. The time was right for some coffee and cake. For a building that looks so small from the outside, the interior is surprisingly spacious with many little nooks. I plonked myself down on a free banquette and made myself comfortable. The gracious staff arrived quickly with a large glass of water, which is a relief for a thirsty person, and they kept me topped up promptly throughout my stay. I ordered the chocolate cream and walnut cake with a cup of coffee for 630 yen. Both were very good.
Besides the pleasant ambience, a key attraction of the Club House is its extensive menu. You can get a hamburger for 400 yen, or a burger combo for 850 yen. Other choices include a selection of curry sets which enjoy a good reputation, pasta, croissant sandwiches, and yakiniku barbecued meat. The yakiniku is highly recommended by friends who ought to know, and it’s served in a delightful conservatory overlooking the sea. The sunset viewed from here is spectacular at any time of year.
In the evening, the Club House is a pleasant place for an evening meal with drinks. It’s within easy walking distance of JR Koyodai Station.
