Full of coziness and flavor, recommended lunch spots in Omachi and Hakuba area
Omachi City and Hakuba Village are located in northwestern Nagano Prefecture at the foot of the Northern Alps. There are many Restaurants and Cafes where you can fully enjoy the bounty of the simple mountain villages, such as fresh local vegetables and preserved foods to survive the harsh winter. Why not spend a blissful lunch time while experiencing the rich nature and history of the area?
1Sosha Wakachi
Japanese cuisine that conveys Omachi's culinary culture
The Kuribayashi Family, a village headman since the Muromachi Period, stands on Honmachi Street in front of Omachi Station. The restaurant was established in 2005 to preserve the local history and food culture for the next generation. The lunch menu includes vegetables grown in the fresh water and clean air of Omachi, "frozen rice cakes," a local specialty, and Omachi Kurobuta, a local brand of pork. The most popular "Mokichi Zen" includes several seasonal small potted dishes and a choice of Kurobuta rice bowl or "zaza," which refers to noodles in the Omachi dialect. Wakawachi's original "zaza" is made with fresh, firm noodles made from 100% Nagano wheat.
The Meiji-era machiya-style building is also noteworthy.
The 130-year-old building is a stately space that was built in the Meiji era (1868-1912). You can feel the history of Omachi's hospitality through the old documents and a hanging scroll of a poem written by the poet Mokichi Saito when he visited the mansion. Meals are served in a modern Japanese-style room with a table on tatami mats, allowing you to forget about time and enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere.
In front of the restaurant, there is spring water of different hardness: "Otoko Shimizu," spring water from the North Alps at an altitude of 3,000 meters, and "Onna Shimizu," spring water from the satoyama at an altitude of 900 meters across the street. It is said that drinking the two waters together will bring good luck in marriage.
- Sosha Wawachi
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4084 Kaminakamachi, Omachi-shi, Nagano MAP
10 min. walk from JR Shinano Omachi Stn.
10:00-15:30
Monday, Tuesday
0261-23-7363
Free of charge (Parking in the shopping arcade)
Reservations required, limited to one room and three couples per day
2Kuni's Country Kitchen
Specialties are cutlets and hamburgers with excellent homemade sauces.
The Renge Ohashi Bridge spans the Takase River that runs through the western part of downtown Omachi. This hut-like Restaurant stands at the foot of the large bridge. For lunch, the restaurant offers a Western-style menu of about 10 different dishes, including pasta, curry, and sirloin steak. Local ingredients are also actively used. Of all the dishes, we recommend the cutlet made from "Shinshu Pork SPF" loin, which has a delicious fatty taste. The soft and juicy loin is wrapped in a crispy and savory batter, and the special demi-glace sauce is intertwined with the meat, creating a rich and mellow flavor that fills your mouth.
Relax in a warm log cabin-like space
The homemade hamburger steak made from Shinshu pork SPF and Aussie beef is also popular. The wild texture of the coarsely minced meat, which is about 1 cm in diameter, makes it feel as if you are eating a steak. The rich demi-glace sauce goes well with the hamburger as well.
The log house-style building with cedar wood walls and ceiling was designed by the owner himself and built with his friends. The high ceilings have a fan that spins, and in winter, the warm flames of the wood-burning stove are relaxing and soothing. From spring through fall, the wood-decked terrace is a wonderful place to enjoy a meal.
- Kuni's Country Kitchen
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- 180-17 Taira, Omachi-shi, Nagano MAP
- 10 minutes drive from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
Take a community bus from JR Shinano-Omachi Station, get off at "Butsuzaki" and walk 5 minutes.- 11:30-14:30 (L.O. 14:00), 17:30-20:30 (L.O. 20:00) *No evening hours on weekdays. Please inquire for details.
- Tuesdays
December-April: Tuesdays, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
*Other irregular holidays - 0261-26-6602
- Free of charge
- Go To Travel Regional Coupon (paper coupon, electronic coupon) can be used, "Shinshu Go To Eat Campaign" meal coupons can be used.
3Farm Cafe Rabbit
A power salad with many ingredients at a cafe on a tranquil plateau.
The café is located in the eastern part of Lake Kisaki, at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, on the Nakayama Plateau. A must-try for lunch is the "Rabbit's Whimsical Power Salad" with more than 10 kinds of vegetables. The vegetables are mainly picked in the field right in front of the cafe, and when they run low, they go to the field to pick more. The dish also includes ham cooked at low temperature, Omachi's specialty "frozen rice cakes" with a chewy texture, beans, cereals, nuts, and cheese, offering a variety of textures and tastes. The natural yeast bread and seasonal soups are also excellent. They gently fill your stomach.
Enjoy the terrace seating with a great view when the weather is nice!
In addition to salads, the owner's own wild game dishes, such as deer and wild boar, are also popular. You can enjoy the flavor of the wild game in curry, sausages, stews, and other dishes.
The Nakayama Plateau, where the restaurant is located, is a scenic location that has been the setting for TV dramas. The restaurant's location is also the setting for a TV drama, with rape blossoms in the spring and white buckwheat flowers in the summer, creating an otherworldly beauty that is enchanting. A special place to sit is on the terrace, where the view is spectacular and the clear air is comfortable. Cute sheep and goats in the outhouse outside will make you feel relaxed and at ease while you wait for your food.
- Farm Cafe Rabbit
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- 8295-48 Omachi, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture Nakayama Kogen MAP
- 12 min. drive from JR Shinano Omachi Stn.
- 11:00-15:00 (L.O. 14:30)
- Tuesdays *Closed from December to March
- 080-1065-1627
- Free of charge
- Closed until April 2021
4Orize
About 10 seasonal delicacies served with home-grown rice
This is a famous Japanese restaurant loved by local customers. The owner is a rice farmer and serves freshly cooked rice made from Koshihikari rice grown in his own rice paddies nearby. The cuisine is prepared by skilled artisans with hotel backgrounds. There are three types of lunch menus, all of which are popular for offering a variety of tastes. The most popular is the "Saori Zen," which offers nine to ten dishes. The dishes are gorgeous and change monthly, and include such delicacies as sesame tofu with a rich aroma, saikyo grilled flounder, and turnip furofuki (turnip with vegetables).
A quaint interior with a view of the Northern Alps and the countryside
The stately triangular-roofed building with high ceilings and massive beams is full of Japanese style. The salmon pink plaster walls, which the owner painted by hand with his family, create a warm atmosphere. The windows on the west side offer an unobstructed view of the mountains of the Northern Alps, which is refreshing. A buckwheat field spreads out before you, and the summer view of white flowers in bloom is soothing.
The spacious tatami room in the back of the restaurant is well known as a place where you can relax even with children. The restaurant also offers a menu that includes "children's colorful meals" and "children's plates.
5sounds like cafe
Breads and sauces are homemade, and the large burger will bring a smile to your face.
The owner, a roaster and Bali barista, moved to Hakuba Village and opened the restaurant in 2009. It is a popular café that is bustling with international guests every day. The specialty "Chicken Burger" is a big-sized dish designed to fill the stomachs of young snowboarders. It consists of a large piece of fried chicken marinated in spices and deep-fried, fresh onions with a nice texture, and plenty of lettuce on a homemade bun. In addition, there are about eight other types of burgers and sandwiches, all of which are very hearty.
Enjoy your time with a cup of home-roasted coffee in your hand.
The rice dishes, such as "Yerman Rice" topped with tender pulled pork, started in the winter of 2019, are also popular. The showcase also features handmade sweets such as lemon cake, chocolate cake, and muffins, making it the perfect place to spend a leisurely café time. For drinks, be sure to try the coffee roasted in the store. There are seven types of hand-drip coffee and 14 types of espresso drinks, including café lattes, to choose from, offering a wide variety of drinks. The warm and inviting interior will make you want to stay longer.
- sounds like cafe
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- 3020-504 Kitashiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano MAP
- 10 min. drive from JR Hakuba Station
- 8:00-17:00 (Food L.O. 16:30)
- Thursdays and Fridays *Closed for about 2 weeks in spring and fall
- 0261-72-2040
- Free of charge
6Cafe Entotsu
Italian cafe serving homemade pizza and fresh pasta.
A house nestled in the peaceful countryside. The chef's mother grows seasonal vegetables and uses them in abundance to create handmade Italian cuisine that is sure to please. Parents and children will want to share the "Whimsical Vegetable Garden Style" with more than 10 kinds of vegetables on top, as well as the 20 or so other pizza selections. The chewy dough, which is made with less salt to enhance the flavor of the ingredients, is superb. Fresh pasta is also popular, with a lineup of about 35 varieties, including homemade tomato sauce, Neapolitan, Japanese, and cream pastas. Children's drinks (90 yen) are also available for children of elementary school age and younger.
The small seating area that can be partitioned off with sliding doors is very comfortable.
The high-ceilinged restaurant is a comfortable space surrounded by the warmth of wood. Outside the window, a view of trees and mountains spreads out, allowing diners to relax and enjoy their meal. In addition to counter and table seating, there is also a small area where you can take off your shoes and relax. A sliding door can be used to partition off the space, allowing parents and children to spend time together without any worries. The showcase is lined with a variety of daily sweets made by the patissier, such as yogurt mousse and chestnut cheesecake. This is a great place to relax and use as a café.
- Cafe Entsu
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- 6935-12 Tokiwaizumi, Omachi-shi, Nagano MAP
- 6 minutes drive from JR Shinano Omachi Station
- 10:30-17:00 (L.O. 16:00)
- Monday *Other irregular holidays
- 0261-22-8866
- Free of charge
7Azumino Chihiro Art Museum Picture Book Café
Enjoy gently tasting sweets while reading picture books from around the world.
The Azumino Chihiro Art Museum is surrounded by a vast park. The museum has a collection of original paintings by Chihiro Iwasaki, an artist who continued to paint children as her lifelong theme, as well as works by picture book artists from around the world. At the Picture Book Café inside the museum, visitors can enjoy sweets such as bavarois, pancakes, and scones made from recipes from Chihiro's favorite restaurants. Shinshu oyaki, bagels, and sausages are also available. Feel free to pick up a picture book from the shelves and enjoy a relaxing moment.
Find your favorite chair in this café that looks like it came out of a picture book!
The cafe is furnished with so many chairs that it has attracted the attention of furniture lovers. The chaise lounges, where parents and children can sit side by side, are also very comfortable. Step out onto the courtyard terrace and you will be surrounded by the Northern Alps and the peaceful countryside. It is also a great spot to play on the wooden seesaw.
Adjacent to the picture book café, there is also a "children's room" where you can take off your shoes. Here, visitors can sit on the carpet, read picture books, and play with wooden and cloth toys. Don't miss the building by a famous architect and the "Nana Nana Chair," a small chair designed by a furniture designer.
- Azumino Chihiro Art Museum Picture Book Cafe *Closed
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- 3358-24 Nishihara, Matsukawa-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano MAP
- 5 min. drive from JR Shinano Matsukawa Station
- 9:30-16:30 (L.O. 16:00)
- Closed on the 4th Wednesday of the month (if the Wednesday is a national holiday, the museum is open on the following weekday, but closed on the following weekday.
Museum admission 900 yen, free for high school students and younger- 0261-62-0772
- Free of charge
- Entrance to the museum is required to use the Picture Book Cafe.
Entrance to the museum is required to use the Picture Book Cafe.
*As of April 2020, the museum will be closed for the time being to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Museum opening information is subject to change at short notice. Please call for the latest information, or check the website and various SNS.
8Bistro Millefeuille
Hamburg steak and soup curry are popular.
A bistro on the main street in front of Omachi Station where the owner, who has a French background, serves up his skills. The signature dishes are hamburgers made from 100% Shinshu olein pork, which has a low fat melting point and mild flavor, and a rich soup curry made from pork bone broth prepared over a 10-hour period and flavored with 30 spices.
For those who want both, we recommend the soup curry with 160 grams of hamburger steak. The juicy hamburger steak, made from a combination of Japanese beef and Shinshu olein pork, is a perfect match for the deep flavor of the curry. It is spicy but not hot, so parents and children can enjoy it together.
A bistro where both adults and children can feel at home
The hamburger steak grilled to a fragrant aroma is soft and fluffy on the inside, making it very popular with children. In addition to tomato sauce, you can choose from steak ponzu, grated radish, grilled cheese mayo, etc. All sauces and dressings are homemade, and both the hamburger steak and soup curry come with a salad filled with fresh vegetables.
The interior of the restaurant has a chic atmosphere at first glance, but the stairs lead up to a small area for seating, which is popular with parents and children alike. You can take off your shoes, relax, and enjoy delicious Western-style food.
- bistro millefuille
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- 3303 Omachi, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- 5 min. walk from JR Shinano Omachi Station
- 11:30am - 2:00pm, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
- Mondays (open if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following day), 1st Tuesday of the month *Other irregular holidays apply.
- 0261-22-6898
- Free (Nishina-cho Parking lot operated by Omachi City)
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Miwa Hashiguchi Stay creators in Shinshu
Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps
Omachi hot spring, Nagano
Hot spring ryokan located in Omachi Onsen, the gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Hakuba.
Access by bus Approx. 15 min. by cab from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
- Example of Accommodation Rates
- 1 person per night From 18,700 yen