Local Guide
6 recommended lunches around Kawaguchiko (from Hoto to authentic French cuisine)

The Kawaguchiko area is home to a wide variety of restaurants ranging from those where you can taste the local cuisine "houtou" to French and Italian restaurants that will make gourmets swoon. Many of the restaurants are surrounded by nature, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Here are six recommended restaurants that you should definitely stop by during your stay.

*Please note that due to the prevention of the spread of the new coronavirus, the hours of operation may change and the cafe may be closed. Please check in advance before visiting.

A gibier restaurant where you can enjoy the bounty of the foot of Mt. Fuji

Appetizers for the dinner course (7,000 yen), which uses venison and wild boar meat and expresses the nature at the foot of Mt. Fuji on the plate *Contents change depending on the season.
Appetizers for the dinner course (7,000 yen), which uses venison and wild boar meat and expresses the nature at the foot of Mt. Fuji on the plate *Contents change depending on the season.

A French restaurant where you can enjoy gibier cuisine and delicious wine. The owner, who fell in love with gibier at the foot of Mt. Fuji, obtained his own hunting license while witnessing the hunting and dismantling of game on his days off. He opened this restaurant to serve high quality meat.

The owner himself goes hunting during the hunting season, so all the gibier dishes served with fresh ingredients are exquisite. They also go well with a wide variety of Yamanashi wines. Lunch is priced at 4,000 yen, while dinner is available in omakase full courses priced at 7,000 yen and 10,000 yen.

Local Guide Comment
The restaurant has many fans among the Staff/staff members. All dishes are delicious and dinner is highly recommended. It is fun to take a look at the menu, which changes depending on the season and the availability of gibier.
The interior of the restaurant was created based on the concept of hunting
The interior of the restaurant was created based on the concept of hunting

The owner's commitment is evident everywhere in the restaurant, including the food. When you step into the restaurant, the first thing that catches your eye is the large counter table made of a single piece of wood. All the cutlery and plates are made in Japan, so that customers can experience the charm of Japanese products. Every detail creates the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Local Guide Comment
This is a restaurant where you can experience not only food but also Japanese handicrafts. The knives of "Ryusen Cutlery," made by Echizen cutlery craftsmen using the Japanese sword manufacturing method, have excellent sharpness! I was so impressed with the sharpness of the knives.
TOYOSHIMA
  • Address YamanashiFujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru-gunFunatsu3681-2 MAP
  • Direction 3 min. walk from Kawaguchiko Station
  • Business hours 11:30~14:30 (L.O.12:30), 18:00~22:00 (last entry 20:00) *Reservations required by the day before.
  • Closed Wednesdays, 2nd and 4th Thursdays *Closed for hunting from January to March
  • TEL 0555-75-0850
  • Parking Free of charge

Houtou, a typical local dish of Yamanashi

Fudo Hoto: 1,100 yen
Fudo Hoto: 1,100 yen

This is a famous restaurant where you can taste Hoto, a local dish of Yamanashi Prefecture. There is only one type of Hoto dish, Fudo Hoto. The homemade noodles are simmered in a miso broth, and the ingredients include pumpkin, mountain vegetables, and other tastes from the foot of Mt. Fuji. The simple taste is infused with the flavor and richness of the ingredients.
Add "Fudo's secret condiments" placed on the table to enhance the flavor of houtou. This secret condiment is a unique blend of seven spices selected for their spiciness and aroma, as well as one flavor from Yagenbori, a long-established seven-spice pepper store in Asakusa.

The special brown sugar cooked inari and Koshu specialty "horse sashimi" are also popular menu items to be enjoyed with Fudo Hoto.

Traditional flavors served in a new cloud-inspired building

Higashikoiji restaurant, which was designed in the image of clouds hanging over Mt. Fuji, is popular on Instagram!
Higashikoiji restaurant, which was designed in the image of clouds hanging over Mt. Fuji, is popular on Instagram!

The exterior and interior atmosphere of each of the four restaurants in Fuji Kawaguchiko Town differ from one another, making it an ideal place to enjoy Houtou together.

The Higashi Koji branch, built in 2010, was designed by architect Takeshi Hosaka and has won numerous international awards. The building is one-of-a-kind, designed to resemble a cloud that has softly descended over Mt. The restaurant has 300 seats that can be used for a variety of purposes, from small to large groups.

Local Guide Comment
There are four Hoto Fudo stores in the Kawaguchiko area. The Higashi Koji Store is popular among tourists for its unique building, and the Kawaguchiko Kitamoto Store is popular among locals. Since I came to live in Yamanashi, I have tried making hoto with various vegetables, but "pumpkin is a must! I have to have pumpkin!
Hoto Fudo Higashi Koji Branch
  • Address YamanashiFujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru-gunFunatsuHigashi Koiro2458 MAP
  • Direction 8 min. drive from Kawaguchiko Station
  • Business hours Open 11:00-20:00
  • Closed No
  • TEL 0555-72-8511
  • Parking Free of charge

A small French restaurant in the forest

French cuisine that adds a twist to local ingredients, such as the
French cuisine that adds a twist to local ingredients, such as the "Kai salmon with crispy micuy salmon skin" (front photo) and "charcuterie platter" (back photo), can be enjoyed.

This small French restaurant was opened by the owner-chef, who has experience in various restaurants including famous restaurants, large hotels, auberges, and wine bars. Although it is conveniently located only a 10-minute drive from the Kawaguchiko IC, you can enjoy your meal in a quiet forest.

The exquisite cuisine, a mixture of local Yamanashi ingredients and ingredients from outside the prefecture, is beautiful to the eye and can be savored by both the palate and the eyes. In addition to omakase courses, a take-out menu is also available, both of which require reservations at least one day in advance. The restaurant's wine cave is stocked with a wide selection of domestic and international wines, and you can enjoy pairing wines with dishes.

A restaurant where you can enjoy "time as a meal

The owner-chef places importance on providing a "dining experience" that includes food. A meal in a nutshell is a profound time that is connected to everything from the dishes selected and the order in which they are served, to the wine pairings, conversation, and the environment in which you dine. With this in mind, we are currently serving only two groups for both lunch and dinner, so that you can truly enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere.

Local Guide Comment
This restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere where you can enjoy authentic French cuisine is especially recommended for couples and married couples.
MIURA Restaurant
  • Address YamanashiFujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru-gun, Funatsu7822-1 MAP
  • Direction 9 min. drive from Kawaguchiko Sta.
  • Business hours 11:30-14:00(L.O.13:00), 18:00-22:00(L.O.20:00) *Reservations required
  • Closed Sundays and Mondays (subject to change in case of national holidays)
  • TEL 0555-73-2918
  • Parking Free of charge

Authentic Italian cuisine in a natural setting

Margherita 1,300 yen
Margherita 1,300 yen

Located in a quiet, yet touristy area, this Italian restaurant is a house that seems to blend in with the peaceful scenery. Upon entering the restaurant, the aroma of freshly baked pizza wafts from the lovely rounded shape of the wood-fired oven. The blackboard in the restaurant is lined with seasonal menu items, including pizza.

The owner recommends the "Today's Appetizer Platter," which changes daily and is decorated with fresh vegetables, and the "Margherita," which is baked in the wood-fired oven using Italian flour and natural yeast, with plenty of fermentation time. You can enjoy them with a wide variety of alcohol.

Charming atmosphere that changes between lunch and dinner

Along with the food, you will also want to enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. During lunch time, the windows let in plenty of light, and the breeze blowing in through the wide-open doors is very comfortable, creating a bright and liberating atmosphere even while inside the restaurant. On sunny days, dogs are welcome on the terrace, and for dinner the atmosphere is completely different, offering a relaxing and tranquil setting in which to enjoy your meal.

Local Guide Comment
The atmosphere is like a hideaway and the restaurant is lovely. The restaurant is popular with a wide range of people, including residents of nearby villas, locals, and tourists.
Il Bacco Bis Italian
  • Address YamanashiFujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru-gun, Fuji3820-1 Kodachi MAP
  • Direction 8 min. drive from Kawaguchiko Station
  • Business hours 11:30-15:00(L.O.14:00), 18:00-22:30(L.O.21:30)
  • Closed Monday
  • TEL 0555-73-3599
  • Parking Free of charge

Yoshida's Udon" loved by locals for many years

Specialty
Specialty "Musashi" topped with vegetable tempura, wakame seaweed, and fox meat 500 yen (600 yen for a large portion)

The noodles are made by letting them rest for at least two days to allow the gluten to mature and give them their firmness, making them extremely chewy. It is said that in the olden days, men in Fuji-Yoshida began making udon for lunch in place of women who worked the textile machines that were the main industry in the area. In order to make udon that was good for the stomach, the men kneaded the udon with all their might, faithfully carrying on the tradition of "Yoshida's Udon" that gave the udon its strong texture.

The soup for Yoshida's udon is usually a blend of soy sauce and miso paste, but here you can taste carefully seasoned dashi broth made from niboshi (dried sardines), thickly shaved bonito stock, etc., by boiling them in water.
We recommend the signature dish, musashi, which is a bowl of rice topped with vegetable tempura, wakame seaweed, and kitsune (fox) that is so large it cannot fit in the bowl. You can enjoy not only the taste but also the visual impact of the dish.

Local Guide Comment
The locals say, "When you think of Yoshida Udon, you think of this noodle! The noodles are impressive for their strong firmness. The kakiage (deep-fried tofu), which is almost as big as your face, is also famous and very satisfying.

A casual and relaxing restaurant

The interior of the store has a nostalgic feel, as if you have come to visit a relative's house. Yoshida's Udon" stores, which have been in business since the early Showa period when people gradually began to start their business with udon, often operate in the living room or guest room of the owner's home. Although this is not part of the residence, you can enjoy "Yoshida's Udon" in the traditional style, with tables lined up in the hall.

Handmade Udon Noodles MUSASHI
  • Address 6-10-19 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi MAP
  • Direction 16 min. walk from Fuji Station
  • Business hours 10:30～14:00
  • Closed Thursdays
  • TEL 090-5768-8644
  • Parking Free of charge

Excellent gourmet burgers made with carefully selected ingredients

Special smoked bacon burger 1,590 yen
Special smoked bacon burger 1,590 yen

A gourmet burger store nestled in a quiet forest. The burgers are all excellent, made with bread using natural yeast that has a great texture and juicy 100% coarse-ground Aussie beef patties.
The most popular item is the "Special Smoked Bacon Burger" made with homemade smoked bacon. Since the amount of smoked bacon can only be made in limited quantities at a time, it is a popular menu item that many people become addicted to once they try it. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of side dishes and drinks, so you will want to visit again and again.

Local Guide Comment
The crispy buns and juicy, meaty patties are a must! The "Special Smoked Bacon Burger" is a must-try, but the "Chili Cheeseburger" and "Avocado Cheeseburger" are also favorites.

Can be used for a variety of occasions

The restaurant is always crowded with tourists who stop by on their way to touring by motorcycle or bicycle, or after sweating it out at an Activity. The restaurant is equipped with free Wi-Fi, so you can use it in a variety of ways, such as bringing in your PC to work or reading a book with a cup of coffee in hand.
Dogs are welcome both inside and on the terrace. When you enter, you will be greeted by Tina Annika, a Labrador retriever who is the store's signature dog.

Local Guide Comment
It gets crowded during the summer and on weekends, but you will still want to go. We recommend staggering your time.
Moose Hills Burger
  • Address YamanashiFujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru-gun, YamanashiKatsuyama3290-1 MAP
  • Direction 8 min. drive from Kawaguchiko Station
  • Business hours 11:00-20:00 (weekdays), 11:00-21:00 (weekends & holidays)
  • Closed No
  • TEL 0555-72-6691
  • Parking Free of charge

After enjoying sightseeing, head to HOSHINOYA Fuji, a hillside glamping resort built in a national park overlooking Lake Kawaguchi. Spending time by the fire, enjoying meals in the forest, and the exhilaration of exercising in nature are all extraordinary experiences that everyone instinctively feels comfortable with, but that are difficult to experience in modern city life.

Enjoy outdoor experiences in the vast forest

Lake view cabin. The open terrace living room allows you to feel the outdoors even when you are indoors.
Lake view cabin. The open terrace living room allows you to feel the outdoors even when you are indoors.

HOSHINOYA Fuji is Japan's first glamping resort, located on a hillside overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes lying at the foot of Mt. Glamping masters who know nature inside and out will help you to move your body in nature and enjoy glamping more deeply. Activities range from those that are easy to participate in to those that are a real challenge under the supervision of a professional instructor. Our glamping masters will make the best suggestions.
Meals are prepared by a chef who loves the wild life. The meals are prepared using Dutch ovens and other equipment, making the most of the ingredients that nature has to offer, such as game (game meat). You can enjoy the pleasure of cooking together with your friends and feel the breeze as you eat. Please spend a luxurious time enjoying the great outdoors at HOSHINOYA Fuji.

HOSHINOYA Fuji
  • Address YamanashiFujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru-gunOishi1408 MAP
  • Direction Approx. 18 min. from JR Kawaguchiko Station by car
  • TEL 0570-073-066（Reservation)
  • Parking Available
  • Memo Click here for reservations
    HOSHINOYA Fuji Reservation Site
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.