Welcome to scenes, a place to nourish your body and soul

Located within the niwa+ complex in front of Kusatsu Station in Shiga, scenes offers a new dining and social space under the theme of Wellness × Happiness to nourish the body and soul of every guest. From refreshing mornings and vibrant lunches to tranquil dinners, our Oceania-style cafe and wine restaurant is designed for various occasions throughout the day. We aspire to be a place where all our customers can find joy and comfort through food.

In recent years, with the diversification of food, there has been a growing awareness of food allergies. Many people, from children to adults, have some form of food allergy and may feel anxious when dining out. For example, according to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (), approximately 1 in 10 infants and young children and 1 in 2 school-aged children and older have some kind of food allergy. These figures highlight how seriously we must consider food allergy accommodations. We are implementing various initiatives to ensure that even customers with allergies can enjoy their time and meals at scenes with peace of mind.

() Source: Noted as a general trend from the Epidemiological Survey on Food Allergies by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

We Want to Solve the Worries of Dining Out

I can't fully enjoy this special meal out because I'm worried about my allergies...
It's hard to tell what I can eat just by looking at the menu...
I feel hesitant to ask the staff too many questions...

Have you, or your family and friends with food allergies, ever had these experiences? Dining out should be a time to forget the daily hustle, gather around delicious food, and have a wonderful time. However, concerns about allergies can bring anxiety and tension from choosing a dish to the moment it's served, often spoiling what should be an enjoyable meal.

Customers experience significant stress, especially in restaurants with inadequate allergy labeling or where staff lack knowledge about allergies. In one survey, about 70% of people with food allergies felt that allergy information at restaurants was insufficient, and about 60% admitted to feeling hesitant about asking questions regarding their allergies. This is a pressing issue for the entire food service industry, and at scenes, we are tackling it head-on.

Because we embrace the theme of Wellness × Happiness, we want to provide an experience that satisfies each customer in both mind and body. To achieve this, it is essential to create an environment where all guests, regardless of food allergies, can dine with peace of mind. So, how are we addressing our customers' concerns to create a dining experience filled with comfort and joy?

Our Concrete Initiatives to Provide Peace of Mind

To ensure our guests can enjoy their meals with the added seasoning of peace of mind, scenes approaches allergy accommodation from various angles. Here are the key areas we focus on.

Valuing Communication with Our Guests

• Encouraging advance consultation: By letting us know about your allergies or special requests when you book or call ahead, we can smoothly confirm meal details and consider alternatives before you arrive.
• Proactive communication upon arrival: Our staff make it a point to proactively ask, Do you have any allergies? when you are seated or placing your order. If we happen to miss asking, please don't hesitate to inform our staff.
• English-speaking staff available: To ensure our international guests can dine comfortably, we have staff who can assist with allergy-related inquiries in English. We strive to overcome language barriers so everyone can enjoy their meal with confidence.

Easy Access to and Confirmation of Menu Information

At scenes, we use a system where customers can scan a QR code with their smartphone to view the menu and place an order. This allows you to review the menu details carefully at your own pace.

• Detailed menu information: We strive to provide as much detail as possible about the ingredients in our dishes on the QR code menu. This includes not only the 7 major allergens specified by law (eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp, crab) but also, to the extent possible, information on the 21 recommended items for labeling.
• Verbal explanations from staff: If you feel unsure with the QR code menu or require more detailed information, please don't hesitate to ask our staff. We will be happy to explain the menu contents to you verbally. We also have paper menus available for you to cross-reference.
• Constantly updated information: Allergy information may change due to ingredient availability or menu updates. We take great care to keep our menu information current to provide you with the latest details. If you have any concerns, please check with our staff at any time.

Commitment to Ingredients and Culinary Practices that Support Wellness × Happiness

The Wellness × Happiness theme at scenes is about providing food that delights both body and soul. This philosophy runs through everything we do, from ingredient selection to the cooking process. This commitment plays a crucial role in our approach to accommodating allergies.

• Carefully selected, high-quality ingredients: We use only fresh, carefully selected, high-quality ingredients. For example, by using specialty coffee beans from New Zealand's Allpress Espresso and pursuing the natural flavor of our ingredients, we believe we can reduce unnecessary additives and, in turn, lower allergy risks.
• Consideration for seasonings: We also consider the seasonings that define our dishes, striving to use allergen-free options or alternatives where possible. For instance, we have introduced some gluten-free seasonings for guests concerned about the wheat in soy sauce.
• Separate utensils and hygiene management: To prevent cross-contamination with allergens, we use separate cooking utensils where possible and conduct thorough cleaning and sanitization. However, due to limited kitchen facilities, it may be difficult to completely prevent cross-contamination. We will carefully explain these limitations during prior consultations with our guests.
• Consideration for guests with children: scenes welcomes guests with children, and we strive to be as flexible as possible with allergy accommodations for our children's menu. We understand the importance of a child's meal and are happy to discuss options to ensure they can eat safely.

Practical Steps for a Worry-Free Dining Experience at scenes

To help you enjoy your meal at scenes to the fullest without worrying about allergies, here are some requests and suggestions from us. Please follow these steps to ensure the best possible dining experience.

Before Your Visit

1. Organize your allergy information: Clearly identify the specific allergens for yourself or your companions (e.g., eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp, crab, specific nuts, etc.) and the severity of the reaction. This will help facilitate a smooth consultation.
2. Consult by phone in advance: If you have a severe allergy or want to confirm menu details, please feel free to call scenes at +81 77-558-8778 before your visit. We can provide detailed information during business hours. Confirming menu customizations or the availability of alternative ingredients in advance can significantly reduce anxiety upon arrival.
3. Check our social media: On our Instagram, you can find the latest menu information, seasonal recommendations, and get a feel for the restaurant's atmosphere. The photos might also provide some clues regarding allergens.

During Your Visit & When Ordering

1. Inform the staff upon arrival: Please let our staff know about your allergies when you enter or are seated. This helps us understand your needs and provide more attentive service.
2. Use the QR code menu: Scan the QR code at your table to view the menu on your smartphone. Take your time to carefully check the ingredients and allergy information for each dish. If anything is unclear, call a staff member over to ask questions.
3. Ask specific questions:
   • Does this dish contain [allergen]?
   • Is it possible to make this without [allergen]?
   • Are there any alternative ingredients or menu items?
   Asking specific questions helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures you get accurate information. You can also place your order verbally with our staff, so please don't hesitate to consult with them.
4. Consider menu changes by time of day: Our menus differ for morning, lunch, and dinner. Please confirm allergy-friendly options within the menu for your specific dining time.

To Make Your Meal More Comfortable

At scenes, we are also dedicated to creating a comfortable space for our guests, offering amenities like free Wi-Fi, power outlets at counter seats, and a second-floor terrace. We invite you to make use of these facilities while you enjoy your delicious meal. Beyond allergy accommodations, our entire team is committed to providing heartfelt hospitality so that every guest can experience Wellness × Happiness in all aspects of their visit.

We also warmly welcome guests with children. Please feel free to consult with us about your child's allergies. We believe that the time a family spends sharing a meal together with peace of mind is an irreplaceable form of happiness.

The Future of Dining that scenes Envisions

scenes aspires to be more than just a cafe and wine restaurant; we want to be a place that nourishes body and soul for all our guests. Our theme of Wellness × Happiness is not just about delicious food, high-quality coffee, and a sophisticated atmosphere. It's about providing a dining experience where every single guest can feel safe, secure, and genuinely smile.

Accommodating food allergies is a crucial part of this mission. Currently, providing complete allergy information or preparing a perfectly allergen-free meal under all circumstances can be challenging due to the scale of the restaurant, kitchen facilities, and ingredient characteristics. However, at scenes, we are continually striving for improvement. Through careful dialogue with our customers, efforts to convey the latest information, and the best possible culinary considerations, we work to alleviate the concerns of guests with allergies and help them enjoy dining out with peace of mind.

We will continue to listen sincerely to valuable feedback from our customers and strive to provide even better service and a safer dining experience. For example, with reports suggesting that the number of customers with allergies to specific ingredients is increasing by about 5% annually, accommodating food allergies will only become more important in the future.

Here in Kusatsu, Shiga, scenes promises to continue creating irreplaceable scenes for everyone. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to a place where everyone, with or without allergies, can share in the joy of food.

Please, enjoy your time at scenes to the fullest.