Perfect for comfort and taste: Recommended lunch spots in the Omachi and Hakuba areas
Located at the foot of the Northern Alps in the northwestern part of Nagano Prefecture, Omachi City and Hakuba Village are home to many restaurants and cafes where you can fully enjoy the simple blessings of the mountains, such as fresh local vegetables and preserved foods that help locals survive the harsh winters. Why not spend a blissful lunchtime feeling the rich nature and history?
1Sousha Wachigai
Hospitality through Japanese-style set meals that convey the food culture of Omachi
Standing on Honmachi-dori in front of Omachi Station is the building of the 'Kuribayashi family,' a village headman's house dating back to the Muromachi period. The restaurant, which bears the family name, was established in 2005 to pass on local history and food culture to the next generation. The lunch menu features a wide array of ingredients, including vegetables grown with Omachi's spring water and clear air, the local specialty 'kori-mochi' (frozen mochi), and the local brand pork 'Omachi Kurobuta.' The most popular 'Mokichi-zen' set includes several seasonal small side dishes, and you can choose between a Kurobuta pork bowl or 'zaza,' a local Omachi dialect term for noodles. The original 'zaza' at Wachigai uses firm, fresh noodles made from 100% Nagano-grown wheat.
The machiya-style building, which retains the atmosphere of the Meiji era, is also a highlight
The building, which is about 130 years old, is a dignified space that retains its original Meiji-era architecture. You can feel the history through the ancient documents conveying Omachi's traditional hospitality and the hanging scrolls of poems composed by the poet Mokichi Saito when he visited this residence. You can enjoy your meal in a Japanese-modern room with tables on tatami mats, relaxing and losing track of time.
In front of the shop is the 'Otoko-shimizu' spring water from the 3,000-meter-high Northern Alps, and across the street is the 'Onna-shimizu' spring water from a 900-meter-high mountain, both with different levels of hardness. It is said that drinking them together brings good luck in finding a partner.
- Sousha Wachigai
-
4084 Kaminakamachi, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture MAP 
Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
10:00–15:30
Mondays, Tuesdays
0261-23-7363
Free (shopping district parking)
*Reservation required. Limited to 1 group per room, 3 groups per day.
2Kuni’s Country Kitchen
The specialties are the cutlets and hamburg steaks, which come with an exquisite homemade sauce
Renge Ohashi Bridge spans the Takase River, which flows through the western part of Omachi city. Standing at the foot of this large bridge is a restaurant that looks like a mountain cabin. For lunch, they offer about 10 Western-style menu items, including pasta, curry, and sirloin steak. They also actively use locally sourced ingredients. Highly recommended is the cutlet made with the loin of "Shinshu Pork SPF," known for its delicious fat. The tender, juicy loin meat is wrapped in a crispy, fragrant breading and coated in a special demi-glace sauce, spreading a rich, mellow flavor throughout your mouth.
Relax in a space that feels like a warm log house
The homemade hamburger steak, made with a blend of Shinshu Pork SPF and Australian beef, is also popular. Because they use coarsely ground meat about 1cm in size, it has an excellent, wild texture that makes you feel like you are eating a steak. This also pairs well with the rich demi-glace sauce.
The log-house-style building, which uses cedar wood for the walls and ceilings, was designed by the owner and built together with friends. A fan spins on the high ceiling, and in winter, you can be soothed by the warm flames of the wood stove. From spring to autumn, it is also wonderful to enjoy a meal on the wood deck terrace.
- Kuni’s Country Kitchen
-
- 180-17 Taira, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
Take the community bus from JR Shinano-Omachi Station, get off at "Butsuzaki," and walk about 5 minutes.- 11:30–14:30 (L.O. 14:00), 17:30–20:30 (L.O. 20:00) *No dinner service on weekdays. Please inquire for details.
- Tuesdays
Dec–Apr: Tuesdays, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
*Other irregular holidays may apply. - 0261-26-6602
- Free
- * "Go To Travel Regional Common Coupons" (paper and electronic coupons) and "Shinshu Go To Eat Campaign" meal vouchers are accepted.
3Farm Cafe Rabbit
Enjoy a hearty power salad at a cafe in the peaceful highlands
This cafe is located on the Nakayama Highlands at an altitude of 900m, east of Lake Kizaki. A must-try for lunch is the "Rabbit's Whimsical Power Salad," which uses over 10 types of vegetables. The vegetables are primarily harvested from the field right in front of the cafe, and since they go out to pick more if they run out, they are as fresh as can be. It also contains low-temperature cooked ham, the chewy Omachi specialty "frozen mochi," beans, grains, nuts, and cheese, allowing you to enjoy a variety of textures and flavors. The natural yeast bread and seasonal soups are also exquisite, gently satisfying your hunger.
On sunny days, head to the terrace seats for a spectacular view
In addition to salads, game dishes featuring deer and wild boar, which the owner catches and prepares themselves, are also popular. You can enjoy the mild, rich flavors of the game in curries, sausages, and stews.
The Nakayama Highlands, where the shop is located, is a scenic spot that has even served as a setting for TV dramas. In spring, fields of rapeseed flowers spread out, and in summer, white buckwheat flowers cover the landscape, creating a breathtaking, otherworldly beauty. The best seats are on the terrace, where you can enjoy the superb view and crisp air. There are also cute sheep and goats in a shed outside, which will help you relax while you wait for your meal.
- Farm Cafe Rabbit
-
- Nakayama Kogen, 8295-48 Omachi, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 12 minutes by car from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
- 11:00–15:00 (L.O. 14:30)
- Tuesdays *Closed from December to March
- 080-1065-1627
- Free
- *Closed until April 2021
4Orize
Enjoy about 10 seasonal delicacies along with home-grown rice
A renowned Japanese restaurant loved by locals. The owner is a rice farmer who treats guests to freshly cooked Koshihikari rice grown in nearby fields. The dishes are prepared by a skilled chef with a background in hotels. There are three types of lunch sets, all of which are highly regarded for allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavors in small portions. Especially popular is the "Irodori-zen," which features 9 to 10 different dishes. It includes visually stunning, monthly changing delicacies such as rich and silky sesame tofu, saikyo-yaki (miso-marinated) flounder, and simmered turnip.
A charming interior overlooking the Northern Alps and rural scenery
The imposing building with its triangular roof features high ceilings and sturdy beams that exude a traditional Japanese atmosphere. The salmon-pink plaster walls, which the owner and their family painted by hand, create a warm and inviting feel. From the west-facing windows, you have an unobstructed view of the Northern Alps, which is truly refreshing. A buckwheat field spreads out before you, and the summer scenery of white flowers is also soothing.
The back of the restaurant has spacious tatami rooms, which are popular with families with children. Menus such as the "Children's Irodori-zen" and "Kids' Plate" are also available.
5sounds like cafe
With homemade bread and sauce, biting into a large burger is sure to bring a smile
Opened in 2009 by an owner who is both a roaster and a barista, after moving to Hakuba Village. This popular cafe is bustling every day with international guests. The specialty "Chicken Burger" is a big-sized dish created with the wish that young snowboarders would leave feeling full. It features a large piece of fried chicken marinated in spices, crunchy fresh onions, and plenty of lettuce, all sandwiched between homemade buns. In addition to this, all of the approximately eight types of hamburgers and sandwiches are very filling.
Spend your time as you please with a cup of home-roasted coffee in hand
Rice dishes, such as the "Ya-man Rice" topped with tender, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, which were introduced in the winter of 2019, have also been well-received. The display case is lined with handmade sweets like lemon cake, chocolate cake, and muffins, making it perfect for a relaxing cafe time. For drinks, be sure to try the coffee roasted in-house. There is a rich variety, including seven types of hand-drip coffee and 14 types of espresso drinks like cafe lattes. The warm and cozy interior is so comfortable that you might find yourself staying for a long time.
- sounds like cafe
-
- 3020-504 Hokujo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Hakuba Station
- 8:00–17:00 (Food L.O. 16:30)
- Thursdays and Fridays *Closed for about 2 weeks in spring and autumn
- 0261-72-2040
- Free
6Cafe Entotsu
An Italian cafe where you can enjoy homemade pizza and fresh pasta
A house standing in the middle of the peaceful countryside. They delight guests with handmade Italian cuisine that makes abundant use of seasonal vegetables grown by the chef's mother. A dish to share with your children is the pizza, with about 20 varieties available, starting with the "Whimsical Vegetable Garden Style" topped with over 10 types of vegetables. The chewy dough, made with reduced salt to let the flavors of the ingredients shine, is exquisite. Fresh pasta is also popular, with a lineup of about 35 types, including homemade tomato sauce, Napolitan, Japanese-style, and cream-based options. "Kids' drinks" (90 yen) are also available for children of elementary school age and younger.
The raised seating area, which can be partitioned off with sliding doors, is incredibly cozy
The high-ceilinged interior is a comfortable space wrapped in the warmth of wood. Outside the windows, groves of trees and mountain ranges spread out, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to counter and table seating, there are also raised seating areas where you can take off your shoes and relax. Since they can be partitioned off with sliding doors, parents and children can spend time there without worry. The showcase is lined with daily sweets made by the pastry chef, such as yogurt mousse and chestnut cheesecake. It is a special place where you can also enjoy a leisurely cafe experience.
- Cafe Entotsu
-
- 6935-12 Tokiwaizumi, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 6 minutes by car from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
- 10:30–17:00 (L.O. 16:00)
- Mondays *Other irregular holidays may apply
- 0261-22-8866
- Free
7Azumino Chihiro Art Museum Picture Book Cafe
Enjoy gentle-tasting sweets while reading picture books from around the world
Surrounded by a vast park, the Chihiro Art Museum Azumino collects original drawings by painter Chihiro Iwasaki, who spent her life depicting children as her theme, as well as works by picture book artists from around the world, and also provides plenty of space for parents and children to relax. At the "Picture Book Cafe" inside the museum, you can enjoy sweets such as bavarois, which recreates a recipe from a shop Chihiro loved, as well as pancakes and scones. They also offer Shinshu oyaki, bagels, and sausages. Feel free to pick up the picture books lined up on the shelves and spend a relaxing moment.
Find your favorite chair in a cafe that looks like it stepped out of a picture book
The cafe is furnished with many chairs, attracting the attention of furniture lovers as well. The long benches where parents and children can sit side-by-side are also incredibly comfortable. If you step out onto the courtyard terrace, the Northern Alps and the idyllic rural landscape spread out before your eyes. It is a perfect spot where you can also play on a wooden seesaw.
Adjacent to the Picture Book Cafe, there is also a "Children's Room" where you can take off your shoes to enter. Here, you can sit on the carpet to read picture books or play with wooden and cloth toys. The building by a renowned architect and the "Nanatsu Nanaisu" (Seven-Seven Chair), a small chair designed by a furniture designer, are also must-sees.
- Azumino Chihiro Art Museum Picture Book Cafe *Currently closed
-
- 3358-24 Nishihara, Matsukawa Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 5 minutes by car from JR Shinano-Matsukawa Station
- 9:30–16:30 (L.O. 16:00)
- 4th Wednesday (Open if a public holiday, closed the following weekday. Open daily during Golden Week and August) *Closed during winter (Dec 16–end of Feb), and may have temporary closures for exhibit changes
Museum admission 900 yen, free for high school students and younger- 0261-62-0772
- Free
- Museum admission is required to use the picture book cafe
Museum admission is required to use the picture book cafe.
*As of April 2020, it is scheduled to be temporarily closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Opening information may change suddenly. Please check the latest information by phone or on our website and various social media.
8bistro millefuille
Popular for its juicy hamburg steak and soup curry
Located on the main street in front of Omachi Station, this bistro is run by a chef with a background in French cuisine. The signature dishes are a 100% "Shinshu Olein Pork" hamburger steak, known for its low melting point and mellow flavor, and a rich soup curry made with a pork bone broth simmered for 10 hours and seasoned with 30 different spices.
For those who want to try both, we recommend the soup curry, which includes a 160g hamburger steak. The juicy hamburger, made with a blend of domestic beef and Shinshu Olein Pork, pairs perfectly with the deep, complex flavors of the curry. Although it is spicy, it is not hot, making it a dish that both parents and children can enjoy together.
A bistro where both adults and children can relax
The savory, grilled hamburger steak is fluffy and tender on the inside, making it a big hit with children. In addition to tomato sauce, you can also choose steak ponzu, grated daikon radish, or cheese mayo. All sauces and dressings are homemade, and both the hamburger steak and soup curry come with a salad full of fresh vegetables, which is a nice touch.
While the interior has a chic atmosphere at first glance, there is a raised seating area up the stairs that is popular with families. You can take off your shoes and relax while enjoying delicious Western-style cuisine.
- bistro millefuille
-
- 3303 Omachi, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 5-minute walk from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
- 11:30–14:00, 17:30–20:30
- Mondays (open if a public holiday, closed the following day), 1st Tuesday *Other irregular holidays may apply
- 0261-22-6898
- Free (Omachi Municipal Nishinamachi Parking Lot)
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Miwa HashiguchiCreators staying in Shinshu
KAI Alps
Nagano Prefecture, Omachi Onsen
A hot spring inn located in Omachi Onsen, the gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Hakuba.
Access Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥18,700