Update-date: May 16 2024
Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture was selected by the New York Times as one of the best places to go in 2024. In addition to being known as the “Kyoto of the West” for its historical buildings, Yamaguchi is also famous for its gourmet specialties such as Choshu chicken and Choshu beef. Here are five restaurants in this easily navigable and compact city where you can fully enjoy local ingredients.
Yuda Onsen - Niji no Ato
Enjoy a fusion of Western and Japanese cuisine in a casual setting.
Niji no Ato is a standalone Japanese-style pub located a 5-minute walk from Yudaonsen Station. The owner, Mr. Abe, is the fifth in a line of famous local restaurateurs, and the chef, Mr. Sato, is a veteran with over 40 years of experience in French cuisine. Why not casually enjoy Japanese, Japanese-Western, and French cuisine created by this pair from different backgrounds? You can also enjoy select ingredients such as locally caught fish, seasonal vegetables, and Kagoshima black wagyu beef.
The rainbow-colored artwork on the walls of the restaurant is eye-catching, and the restaurant has counter and table seating. Near the entrance is a custom-made wine cellar. Have a look at the wines as well as the selection of sake and cold appetizers. The restaurant readily accommodates groups as well as solo diners.
Niji no ato
TEL: +81-50-5384-7688
Address: 1-9-19, Yuda Onsen, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 5 minutes walk from Yuda Onsen Station
Address: 1-9-19, Yuda Onsen, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 5 minutes walk from Yuda Onsen Station
Shin Yamaguchi - Fukuno Hana Shin Yamaguchi Branch
Enjoy Yamaguchi Prefecture’s local cuisine and local sake in a relaxing private room.
Fukuno Hana Shin Yamaguchi Branch is a restaurant where you can enjoy local sake and cuisine from Yamaguchi. You can enjoy Choshu Kuro Kashiwa, a fantastic chicken breed from Yamaguchi, and Choshu Chicken, a brand of chicken, in a relaxed atmosphere. The freshness of the chicken is outstanding because it is shipped directly from the company’s own poultry farm. Be sure to try the seasonal fish as well, since Yamaguchi Prefecture is surrounded by the sea. And to top it off, enjoy Kaware Buckwheat Noodles, which originated from Kawatana Hot Springs.
Blessed with abundant water, Yamaguchi Prefecture is a treasure trove of sake. Among the traditional sakes made by breweries throughout the prefecture, Dassai is a world-renowned brand. Casually enjoy the best local sake with local cuisine. An all-you-can-drink option is available, so make a reservation in accordance with your budget.
Fukunohana Shinyamaguchi branch
TEL: +81-50-5871-1207
Address: 2808-1 Shimogo, Ogori, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 10 minutes walk from Shin-Yamaguchi Station
Address: 2808-1 Shimogo, Ogori, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 10 minutes walk from Shin-Yamaguchi Station
Shin Yamaguchi - Kaisen Choshu Ogori Branch
A traditional Japanese-style pub where you can enjoy local fish and vegetables from Yamaguchi Prefecture in a relaxing atmosphere.
The Kaisen Choshu Ogori Branch is a 3-minute walk from Shin-Yamaguchi Station. You can enjoy local sake and dishes that make full use of ingredients from Yamaguchi Prefecture. The restaurant’s menu includes the popular Seafood Sushi Roll and seafood dishes that allow you to enjoy local fish at a reasonable price. The dishes featuring local vegetables also go well with local sake and carefully selected shochu.
There is a seafood display case in front of the counter seating, creating an old-fashioned Japanese-style pub atmosphere, and you can enjoy the chef’s knife work right in front of you. You can dine alone and converse with others at the counter, or sit in the spacious tatami room and enjoy a course meal that comes with all-you-can-drink options. Look for the blue neon lights when you visit this casual restaurant.
Kaisen Choshu Ogori branch
Open: [Weekday,Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (last order 11:30 pm)
Closed: We will open holidays and holidays. In case of reservation it will be open on Sunday.
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from Shin-Yamaguchi Station
Closed: We will open holidays and holidays. In case of reservation it will be open on Sunday.
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from Shin-Yamaguchi Station
Address: Kawamura Bldg., 1231-4 Ogori Shimogo, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi - Nikudou Wagyuya
Taste the tenderness and sweetness of Choshu beef, the pride of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Nikudou Wagyuya is a steak restaurant specializing in Japanese beef. Here you can enjoy Choshu Beef, a Japanese beef brand from Yamaguchi Prefecture. The cattle are raised from calves until shipment and they are allowed to freely graze on pasture grass, so the meat is tender and sweet. A4 or higher rank meat is grilled over charcoal, and being served with a garlic-infused homemade onion sauce.
The bright and wood-accented interior of the restaurant features counter and table seating. If you want to savor a wide variety of meats, choose the Meat Platter for Banquets. The restaurant can accommodate up to 20 people. You can also add an all-you-can-drink option to your order on the day of visit. The restaurant can readily accommodate solo customers for lunch, so be sure to drop by during your trip. Take-out is also available.
Nikudou Wagyuya
TEL: +81-50-5384-3599
Address: 2-4 Komeyacho, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 7 minutes walk from Yamaguchi Station
Access: 7 minutes walk from Yamaguchi Station
Yamaguchi - Unado Torido
Savor eel from Lake Hamana by day and grilled chicken by night in a quaint townhouse.
Unado Torido is located in the central shopping street in the heart of Yamaguchi City. The lunchtime menu features eel shipped directly from Lake Hamana. They recommend stacked eel, grilled eel over rice, and grilled eel without seasoning or sauce . At night, enjoy the superb taste of grilled chicken with a crispy outside and soft inside. The light sauce enhances the delicious taste of Choshu chicken, a local brand of chicken.
This 170-year-old townhouse has a stately atmosphere. With a beautiful courtyard, you can spend your time in a relaxed mood. Private rooms can accommodate small groups or banquets of up to 60 people. Take-out is also available, so this restaurant is a convenience for people who want to enjoy their food at home.
Unado Torido
TEL: +81-50-5384-3598
Address: 3-6 Nakaichicho, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 10 minutes walk from Yamaguchi Station
Address: 3-6 Nakaichicho, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: 10 minutes walk from Yamaguchi Station
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
