1
Hanjiro Azumino

Formerly known in Yokohama as a restaurant specializing in soup curry that drew long lines, Hanjirou has maintained its popularity even after relocating to Azumino, where the owner's grandparents used to live, in 2013. It is a well-known store loved by locals and tourists alike. The healthy soup curry without flour or butter has remained unchanged since the Yokohama days. It is based on bouillon simmered for two days with fresh ingredients using groundwater from Azumino. No chemical seasonings are used and everything is handmade. Spices are added upon order.
Recommended dishes are the "Roasted Spiced Pork and Colorful Vegetable Soup Curry (limited quantity)" and "Bone-in Chicken and Colorful Vegetable Soup Curry". The meats are all tender, and the rich, spiced broth makes for an outstanding taste. The colorful vegetables are filled with large vegetables from Shinshu and Hokkaido, which not only add texture to the dish, but are also very satisfying. The rice is made from Koshihikari rice produced in Azumino and cooked to a fluffy consistency, which enhances the flavor of the soup curry.

Local Guide
Supporters

Everyone in Matsumoto surely knows the soup curry restaurant "Hanjirou". Many people line up every day, but it is well worth the wait.

Excellent location

Located along the river, Hanjirou is in a perfect location, surrounded by greenery and the sound of a murmuring stream when you sit on the terrace. The lodge house-style restaurant is built with the warmth of wood, and counter seats allow you to relax while enjoying the view of Azumino's nature. A take-out menu is also available, so we recommend eating outside when the weather is nice.

Hanjiro Azumino

• 4857-1 Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano MAP
• 20 min. walk from JR Hotaka Stn.
• Thursday lunch only
  11:30～14:30 (14:00 L.O.) *Close when soup is gone.
• Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday
• 0263-82-0688
• Free of charge
• Reservations are accepted.
  In July 2024, "Hanjirou OneStyle" will open in Matsumoto (open Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun).
  

2
La Felicita

Italian cuisine surrounded by the Azumino countryside. You can enjoy Roman home-style cooking that focuses on ingredients such as home-grown vegetables, local produce, and prosciutto ham and olive oil imported from Italy.
About 18 types of pasta are available, with a choice of homemade fresh pasta or dried noodles. The menu is always well-stocked with about 20 types of pizzas baked in a stone oven. The most popular of these pastas is the "Ortolana" pasta with bacon and seasonal vegetables in a vegetable garden style. With a tomato sauce base and plenty of seasonal vegetables, it is a very satisfying dish.
Along with pasta, another popular dish is Roman-style pizza. The dough is made from an original blend of water, flour, salt, and other ingredients, and baked in a stone oven at a high temperature of 400℃. The crispy texture and the perfect balance of crispy dough and ingredients will keep you coming back for more.
We recommend the lunch B course. If you share a pizza and pasta between two people, you can enjoy both of our signature flavors.

A place to relax in the countryside

In addition to the dining area, there are also private and semi-private rooms in the spacious restaurant, where you can spend your time as you wish. There are also many spaces where you can immerse yourself in the feeling of traveling, such as looking out the window at the peaceful countryside or spending time on the terrace surrounded by grape trellises.
The high-quality extra virgin oil from southern Italy used in the store is also available for weighing and selling. Since the restaurant is frequented by many locals, it is best to make a reservation during lunch time and on weekends.

Local Guide
Supporters

Italian food popular among the locals. The fresh pasta and pizza are delicious. The lunch course is a great value and highly recommended!

La Felicita

• 40-1 Misato On, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• 7 min. drive from JR Ichikaichi Station
• Monday-Wednesday 11:30-15:00(L.O.)
  Thursday-Sunday 11:30-15:00(L.O.), 18:00-21:00(L.O.)
  *Subject to change
• Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
  *Subject to change
• 0263-31-3199
• Free of charge

3
Neapolitan Pizza TASUKU

The pizzas made by the owner, who has participated in the "Neapolitan Pizza Convention" in Naples, Italy, and passed the certification test of the local artisans' association, are authentic. The dough is made from freshly ground pesticide-free wheat and baked in a high-temperature oven, giving it a crispy surface and a fluffy, chewy interior. The pizza is topped with local seasonal vegetables such as Azumino apples, Nozawana greens, Shinshu mushrooms, and Italian mozzarella cheese. The pizza, with its exquisitely cooked dough, fresh ingredients, and plenty of cheese, is delicious enough to be eaten by women, even though it is hearty.
Of the 15 or so types of pizzas on the menu, the most popular is the "Pizza with Parma Ham and Azumino Arugula. The arugula is produced year-round by a local contract farmer, and its rich flavor accentuates the flavor of the prosciutto ham and cheese. Cheese lovers should also try the "Four Cheese Pizza". It is served with honey from Azumino.

Spacious old private house creates a luxurious atmosphere

The restaurant, which was converted from a 100-year-old old house, is a spacious place with the warmth of wood. It matches the peaceful atmosphere of Azumino. During the daytime, light streams in through the large windows, and at night, moonlight illuminates the atmospheric space, which has acquired a patina over the years.
One of the highlights is the kiln that the owner himself designed and built with bricks while learning from a plasterer. The peaceful moment of tasting pizza while relaxing in the atmosphere of an old private home with its own character and charm will make your heart warm.

Local Guide
Supporters

The classic Margherita is my favorite, and I always order it whenever I visit the restaurant. The stylish and relaxed interior is very comfortable, but please note that children under elementary school age are not allowed in the restaurant.

Neapolitan Pizza TASUKU

• 3132-1 Horikane Karasugawa, Azumino, Nagano MAP
• 10 min. drive from JR Toyoshina Station
• Weekdays 11:00-19:00 (L.O.18:30)
  Weekends and holidays: 10:00-10:00
• Closed irregularly (monthly calendar posted on Instagram)
• 0263-87-7729
• Free of charge
• Pasta is only available for lunch on weekdays.
  Reservations for seats are valid only by phone.
  Children under elementary school age are not allowed in the restaurant.

4
Tea Kaiseki Shogetsu

Chakaiseki cuisine, which makes the most of Azumino's ingredients and nature, is served in a house tucked away in a small residential area in Ariake-Oiwake, at the foot of Mt. Chakaiseki begins with the selection of dishes to evoke a sense of the seasons. The ingredients that decorate the dishes include fresh eggs from chickens raised in the garden, handmade brown rice koji miso, wild vegetables and river fish picked by the owner himself, and other dishes that incorporate the seasonal flavors of the region.
The restaurant offers a hearty welcome from entrée to dessert, adhering to the basics of kaiseki cuisine, such as polishing and cooking rice in accordance with the time of the visitor. The dishes are all delicate, beautiful, and captivating, and are brought to you at just the right moment. When you put your chopsticks down, you will be even more impressed by the elegant flavors of the dishes. The meal ends with a cup of powdered green tea and tea cakes. The blissful experience of enjoying the wabi-sabi and beauty of Japan in both the dishes and the tableware continues until the last dish is served.

Local Guide
Supporters

This is the kind of restaurant that people in the know like to go to on special occasions. The delicate kaiseki cuisine, which incorporates seasonal ingredients, is beautiful and delicious.

Heartfelt hospitality in the space

The hospitality of the space is also very attentive. The building is constructed using only natural materials, and even the tatami mats in the Japanese-style rooms are made of pesticide-free igusa (Japanese lignum). When you walk through the entranceway, you will be greeted by a faint aroma of incense, and even the hand towels are scented with aroma.
The restaurant has only two rooms, so reservations are required in advance.

Chakaiseki Shougetsu

• 8884-9 Ariake, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano MAP
• 10 minutes drive from JR Ariake Station
• Lunch 12:00-14:00
  Dinner 18:00-21:00
  Only 2 groups for both day and night (reservation required)
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0263-83-5405
• Free of charge

5
CHILLOUT STYLE COFFEE

The café offers a relaxing view of the countryside from its large windows and specialty coffees. The coffee we recommend is "single origin" coffee, made from carefully selected, roasted, and brewed beans. The coffee is selected from Ethiopia, Kenya, and other countries, and there are always three to four varieties available. Each has its own unique flavor, sweetness, and acidity balance. The coffee is served at a counter facing the window, where you can sink into a soft one-person sofa and enjoy the blissful experience of tasting coffee, and your mind will be relaxed.

Sweets from popular local restaurants to accompany your meal

A generous amount of coffee is poured into a large mug so that you can enjoy the changing flavors of the hot coffee as it cools. Enjoy homemade bagel sandwiches and original sweets along with the richly flavored coffee. The baked goods are especially popular, with chocolate brownies and cookies from a popular store in Azumino on the menu.
Although the only way to visit is by car, the café has a charm that will make you want to go back again and again.

Local Guide
Supporters

Time flies by when you are gazing at the scenery. Recommended when you want to relax alone.

CHILLOUT STYLE COFFEE

• 3293-1 Ariake Ariake, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano MAP
• Approx. 8 min. by car from JR Hotaka Station
• 9:00 - 18:00 (10:00 - from December to March)
• Thursdays, 3rd Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• 0263-87-7663
• Free of charge

6
Cafe VARIE

Located at the foot of the mountains in Hotaka, Azumino, this café and store offers accessories and sundries. The owner, who worked as a chef at a resort hotel in Hakuba, serves you with plated dishes that allow you to fully enjoy the vegetables of Shinshu. The seasonal vegetables, which are purchased from a local farmers market, are cooked simply and lightly to preserve the flavor of the ingredients. The bread that accompanies the plated dishes is also baked daily. The view from the second floor seats makes the time spent enjoying these happy tastes even more enjoyable. From the cozy, woody interior, you can enjoy a peaceful view of the countryside.

Beef stew and homemade sweets are also popular

There are four menu items served on plates: hamburger steak (subject to change), curry, seafood bouillabaisse, and beef stew. Of these, we recommend the beef stew made from Japanese beef that has been simmered for two days. The tender beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sauce infused with the umami of the meat is outstandingly delicious. Sweets are also handmade. We always have 15 to 16 varieties available from our extensive lineup, including fruit tarts, cheesecakes, and parfaits. The most popular "fluffy soufflé" has a soft texture that is addictive. There are two flavors to choose from: plain and green tea.
It is no wonder that locals keep coming back to this café, where the food and scenery are both very satisfying.

Local Guide
Supporters

The food, desserts, and coffee are all delicious and carefully prepared. On Tuesdays, when the restaurant is closed, and on Saturday evenings when it is open, workshops such as chalk art are offered.

Cafe VARIE

• 8177-1 Ariake Ariake, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano MAP
• Take the Alps Park Route (seasonal bus) from JR Hotaka Station (23 min.), get off at Art Hills, and walk 2 min.
• 11:30-16:30 (Meals L.O. 14:00, Snacks, tea, sweets L.O. 15:30)
• Monday and Tuesday (open if Monday is a national holiday, closed if Tuesday is a national holiday), occasional holidays
  
• 0263-84-5520
• Free of charge

7
cafe&zakka Nanagatsuki

Surrounded by orchards and forests, this café and general merchandise store offers a peaceful Azumino atmosphere. The natural interior design that blends in with the surrounding nature also makes you feel comfortable. On the covered terrace, you can enjoy tea time with a pleasant breeze while taking a walk in the forest.

The general merchandise booth near the entrance features products and goods from local artists and craftspeople, including household goods, clothes, and jams. You will encounter such wonderful sundries that you will want to reach out and touch them.

Original blend of refreshing coffee

At the café, take a break with a cup of freshly brewed coffee that is dripped to order. The aromatic coffee is specialty coffee made from the beans of Coffee Kobo Omino, which has its own roasting studio in Azumino. The coffee has a light, refreshing aftertaste with no cloying taste.
For sweets, try the "Tororin Pudding" made with local eggs or the "Pudding Parfait" with soft-serve ice cream on top of pudding. Other items on the menu include fruit sandwiches with chiffon cake and a lunch menu with a limited number of items.

Local Guide
Supporters

The lunch plates are generous in size, and the accompanying vegetables are full of flavor! The atmosphere is very warm and relaxing.

cafe&zakka 7 months

• 7348-16 Ariake, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano MAP
• 15 minutes drive from Hotaka Station (10 minutes drive from Azumioi Station)
• 11:00-17:30 (L.O.17:00)
• Closed on Thursdays and Fridays (open if Thursday or Friday is a national holiday), and occasionally closed in winter.
• 0263-84-5520
• Free of charge