A Refreshing Stop at OLIVAZ on Shodoshima Island, Kagawa
The Drink That Made Me Stop and Think “I Have to Write About This”
When my wife and I visited Shodoshima Island back in June 2024, the very first stop we made was OLIVAZ — and honestly, that first drink alone made the whole trip feel like a success.
What Is OLIVAZ?
OLIVAZ is a café located in the Nishimura area of Shodoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture. Shodoshima (小豆島) is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, famous for its olive groves — it’s actually one of the few places in Japan where olives are commercially grown. The island has a relaxed, Mediterranean-ish vibe that’s pretty unique for Japan.
OLIVAZ fits right into that atmosphere. The café is known for its house-made cordials — think homemade fruit and herb syrups mixed with sparkling water or still water. It’s a simple concept, but done really well here.
They also serve food: things like chilindron rice (a Spanish-inspired tomato and pepper rice dish), pizza, and soup. Reviews mention that the chilindron is hearty and full of flavor — it’s definitely on my list for next time.
The setup is a bit different from a typical café: you buy a meal ticket from a vending machine on the first floor, then head upstairs. On Sunday afternoons, tour groups apparently roll through and it can get pretty packed, so going earlier in the day is a smart move.
Access & Basic Info
| Address | 1941-1 Nishimura Ko, Shodoshima Town, Shozu District, Kagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0879-82-2200 |
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (daily) |
| Parking | Unknown — worth checking ahead |
| Website | Official Site |
The Drink: House-Made Black Peppermint Cordial
I ordered the house-made black peppermint cordial, and I’ll be honest — when I first heard the name, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Black peppermint? Is that going to taste like toothpaste? Too intense?
One sip and I completely understood.
It was so refreshing. The peppermint hit you right away — clean and bright, not sharp or overwhelming. The sweetness was just right, not cloying at all. There was a hint of lemon in there too, and somehow everything balanced perfectly. It was the kind of drink that’s easy to gulp down but still feels like it was made with care.
What made it even better was the setting. We sat outside on a bench, with a warm breeze coming through and that soft Shodoshima summer air all around us. I think the experience and the drink kind of blended together — it wasn’t just a good cordial, it was a perfect moment. The kind of thing you remember later when you think about a trip.
There was also a rose geranium cordial on the menu that caught my eye, but we ran out of time and I didn’t get to try it. That one’s going on the must-order list for the next visit.
If cordials aren’t your thing, don’t worry — they also have orange juice, pineapple juice, coffee, and café lattes. Plenty of options for everyone.
What I Liked / What to Keep in Mind
What I Liked
The cordial was genuinely impressive. The black peppermint version had this perfect balance of freshness, mild sweetness, and fragrance. Drinking it outside on a sunny Shodoshima morning made it feel even better. As a first drink of the day on a trip, it was pretty much ideal.
There’s more to explore on the menu. Beyond the drinks, the food lineup — chilindron rice, pizza, soup — gives you a reason to make this a proper lunch stop rather than just a quick drink break. I left with more things I want to try next time, which is always a good sign.
What to Keep in Mind
The hours are 11 AM to 3 PM every day, which is a pretty short window. If you’re building an itinerary around Shodoshima, factor that in early. It’s also a popular spot, and on weekends especially, tour groups can fill it up fast — arriving right when it opens is probably the safest bet.
Final Thoughts
I know it might seem a little much to write a whole post about a single drink. But the black peppermint cordial at OLIVAZ genuinely stuck with me — not just because it tasted great, but because of the whole moment around it. The island air, the sunshine, the slow start to a good day.
Next time I’m on Shodoshima, I’m getting the rose geranium cordial and finally trying that chilindron rice. Having things to look forward to on a return trip is one of the best feelings. If you’re heading to Shodoshima, make time for this one.