15 Must-Try Restaurants When Visiting Mt. Fuji Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: May 26 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Yamanashi

15 Must-Try Restaurants When Visiting Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji is a top sightseeing location that became a World Heritage Site in 2013. To its south is Shizuoka Prefecture that's facing the sea, and to its north is Yamanashi Prefecture with its many lakes. Check out these 15 restaurants in Yamanashi Prefecture that you should dine at when visiting Mt. Fuji.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Yamanashi.

1. Sumibi Yakiniku Himawaritei (Kawaguchiko - Yakiniku)

Of the 5 lakes located around the northern foot of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi-ko), the most northern of the lakes, is known for offering stunning upside-down reflections of Mt. Fuji. This restaurant is located in the town around the lake, and is a great place where you can enjoy yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) at very reasonable prices. A popular item on their menu is the [Family Set] (2,400 JPY, available to order for 2 people or more). It’s a plentiful meal with 12 different items, including 8 different cuts of meat, salad, rice, and other dishes. For a la carte orders, try the [Thickly-cut Salted Tongue (1,250 JPY)], made with beef!

Sumibi Yakiniku Himawaritei

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:15 pm)
Closed: Tuesday *Open on Tuesday if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 7364-2, Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi (Map)
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2. Yakiniku Ichiro (Otsuki - Yakiniku)

This is the place to be if you want to try domestically-produced Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) at affordable prices. It is located in front of Otsuki Station, which is where people stop by to change trains if heading to Mt. Fuji. Stop by the restaurant to try the [Otsuki Loin] (1,750 JPY plus tax) - a cut of meat that’s both tender and just fatty enough to be flavorful. If you can’t decide, you can also try the [Omakase Course] (from 2,000 JPY) that includes various popular cuts like tongue, rib meat, and offal.

Yakiniku Ichiro

Open: [Opening hours] 17:00 - 01:00 (last order 00:30) Extended hours are possible by reservation for golf tournaments, etc.
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Exit Otsuki station and you will immediately see the sign to your left.
Address: 1-2-23 Mitachi, Otsuki, Yamanashi Map
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3. Izakaya Hokkai

In front of Lake Yamanakako is Izakaya Hokkai. This restaurant is a great place to satiate your appetite after a hard day of playing because it is surrounded by several golf courses and recreational areas. With a kind owner and upbeat crew, this restaurant is constantly buzzing with energy. Enjoy their special method of preparing kushiyaki skewers; you may pick your preferred skewer from a refrigerator of unroasted skewers and let it roast. In this way, you may also take pleasure in the aroma of the meats and the crackling sound of the fat during roasting.

Izakaya Hokkai

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before Holidays] 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Driving from Lake Kawaguchiko to Lake Yamanakako on National Route 138, it is on the right side. Driving from Shizuoka side to the direction of Lake Kawaguchiko on National Route 138, it is on the left side.
Address: 226 Yamanaka, Yamanakako-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Map
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4. Kisetsu Ryori Sakura

The chefs at Kisetsu Ryori Sakura meticulously slow-boil their own unique dipping sauce to create a delicacy they are pleased to offer. The eel that is offered with this uncommon delicacy is so soft that it practically melts on your tongue. Try the domestic beef instead. Every bite will be overpowered by the opulent flavor and delectable savoriness since they only utilize A4 grade cuts or above on the grill. Eat it with rock salt or homemade ponzu sauce. The restaurant is mindful of the emotions and preferences of its patrons because they want their customers to be able to unwind and relax.

Kisetsu Ryori Sakura

Open: [Weekdays, Saturdays, days before national holidays] 17:00 - 23:00 (last order 22:30)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: A three-minute walk south from the east exit of Akashi Station.
Address: Akashi Tourism Bldg. 1F, 12-21 Sakura-cho , Akashi, Hyogo Map
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5. Cueillet

Cueillet boasts picturesque views of Mount Fuji from the front of the restaurant and the Yatsugatake Mountains from the rear. This little restaurant is in a rural location, surrounded by vineyards, and it feels just like the French countryside. Cueillet's authentic French cuisine incorporates exquisite flavors because it is made with carefully selected local ingredients. They use vegetables procured from locally contracted farmers, Koshu Beef, Wine Beef, and Wine Pork produced by local livestock farmers, and seafood sourced directly from the fishing port.

Cueillet

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: From Nirasaki Interchange, head toward Shosenkyo Gorge, turn right at the Nirasaki Interchange Kita, and the restaurant will be 600 meters ahead on the right.
Address: 1129 Hosakamachi Mitsusawa, Nirasaki, Yamanashi Map
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6. Open-Mic Karaoke SO-ON

A bar and restaurant where you may savor delectable cuisine and beverages while listening to live music. In Fujiyoshida, this is one of the locations where people communicate with one another through music. Everyone may participate in karaoke and watch live music performances on stage for the basic fee of one drink, all-you-can-sing, and one dish. The restaurant is meticulous about its cuisine as well as its fashionable atmosphere, serving specialty dishes from the Yamanashi Prefecture as well as regional gourmet fare on the "snacking with chopsticks menu." Additionally, the restaurant serves a selection of alcoholic drinks, including beers and wines from the region.

Open-Mic Karaoke SO-ON

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday, Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: In front of Gekkoji Station on the Fujikyuko Line. About 20 minutes walk from Shimoyoshida Station
Address: 1-3-19, Midorigaoka, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi Map
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7. Kappo Nanakusa (Kawaguchiko - Japanese Cuisine)

2. Kappo Nanakusa (Kawaguchiko - Japanese Cuisine)

This restaurant is located along the main road extending from Kawaguchi-ko Bridge that stands on Lake Kawaguchi. With parking space for 20 cars, this is a great place to dine if you’re driving. The restaurant focuses on serving dishes that highlight the deliciousness of the freshly made food. The [Nanakusa Age-mochi] (450 JPY plus tax) is a popular item here. Rice cake with a filling that incorporates ingredients like mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and kelp is fried in oil and then eaten with grated daikon (radish) and a special sauce made with dashi (broth). Sashimi-grade sea bream is served with sesame-flavored sauce in their [Tai Chazuke] (980 JPY plus tax), which is another popular dish. Order their [Mini Kaiseki] (traditional Japanese course cuisine with tea) (2,500 JPY plus tax) to taste both of the mentioned dishes, as well as 5 other dishes!

Kappo Nanakusa

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:50 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday *Open on Wednesdays if reservations are made in advance
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Address: 1667-1, Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi (Map)
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8. Tontaro (Kawaguchiko - Yakiniku)

This restaurant is around a 15-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station. Though it’s housed in a building that looks like a traditional Japanese residence, they actually serve Korean cuisine and yakiniku. Do try the [Sandan Bara Set] (1,200 JPY per person, available for 2 people or more) if you're looking for yakiniku. You’ll get to sample some pork belly of local branded pork. The staff will keep an eye on the meat and cut it for you, so you can relax, chat, and enjoy some drinks! They also serve [Kaisen Chijimi] (1,180 JPY) (Korean seafood pancake) with shrimp, squid, shellfish, and other delicious ingredients in it!

Tontaro

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 780 JPY
Address: 6871-1, Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi (Map)
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9. Kin Kao Kon (Kawaguchiko - Thai Cuisine, Vietnamese Cuisine)

8. Kin Kao Kon (Kawaguchiko - Thai Cuisine, Vietnamese Cuisine)

This Thai restaurant is located along the main road that can be reached by crossing the Kawaguchi-ko Bridge and heading towards the town center. The key characteristic of Thai cuisine is that many spices and herbs are used to create spicy, sour, salty, sweet, and bitter flavors. It’s also known for being very colorful. A popular Thai dish is [Thai Suki] (Thai-style shabu-shabu, which is sliced meat parboiled with vegetables). The soup base varies from restaurant to restaurant. Here, they use a soup that’s colored pink from a condiment made with fermented tofu called "funyu". The mildly sour soup gets better as you cook it!

Kin Kao Kon

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
[Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
[Sunday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday, 2nd Wednesday of the month
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,280 JPY
Address: No. 7, 2F, Ohashi-dori Tenant, 288-1, Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi (Map)
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10. Restaurant Hamakko Main Branch (Fuji Yoshida - Western Cuisine)

This restaurant is around 5 minutes by car from Mt. Fuji Station, which acts as the entrance to climbing Mt. Fuji. It has been serving Western-style Japanese cuisine for 3 generations and is well-loved by the locals. The exterior looks like a ship and the light from the lighthouse on its premises is eye-catching at night. Inside, the decor reminds one of a tropical country. They’re famous for their [Jumbo Fried Shrimp] (2,450 JPY) that features 2 large shrimps that are sometimes as big as 20cm in length! Another great dish is the [Kuroge Wagyu Stew] (1,900 JPY). The meat is cooked till it’s soft and tender, and the flavor of the stew spreads in your mouth when you take a bite.

Restaurant Hamakko Main Branch

Open: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:45 pm) *Weekday-only lunch L.O. 1:30 pm
Closed: Tuesday, 3rd Wednesday of the month *Open if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY
Address: 2548-1, Shimoyoshida, Fuji Yoshida-shi, Yamanashi (Map)
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11. Soramame (Fuji Yoshida - Izakaya)

This relaxing izakaya is around a 3-minute walk from Mt. Fuji Station. They’re known for their various hot pot dishes (from 780 JPY) and [Helmet Yaki] (980 JPY), which features grilled horse offal, lamb, beef, and pork, along with their original homemade sauce. The most popular route up Mt. Fuji is the Yoshida Route, and the bus to its starting point at Mt. Fuji 5th Station (halfway up the mountain) departs from Mt. Fuji Station. Grab a bite at this izakaya before making your way up!

Soramame

Open: [Sunday,Monday,Wednesday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] 18:00 - 23:00
Closed: In case of reservation we will respond to consultation.
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: Exit Otsuki station and you will immediately see the sign to your left.
Address: 2-9-10, Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi Map
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12. Irori (Tsuru - Japanese Cuisine)

Located between Lake Yamanaka (Yamanaka-ko) and Lake Kawaguchi, this restaurant is can be found right next to Oshino Hakkai, which consists of 8 beautiful natural ponds filled with water from the melted snow on Mt. Fuji. They serve local cuisine like [Hoto] - a dish of thick, long noodles cooked with vegetables in a miso broth. Another recommended dish is the [Gomoku Karubi Ojiya] (950 JPY). It’s a pearl barley dish made with over 20 different ingredients like vegetables and meat. There’s also sesame oil, eggs, and grated garlic in the dish, making it a delicious meal that warms the body as well.

Irori

Open: 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm) *Closed from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: 2,000 JPY
Address: 200-1, Shibokusa, Oshino-mura, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi (Map)
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13. Nagomi (Yamanakako - Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki, Kaiseki, Izakaya)

This Japanese restaurant is located on the west shore of Lake Yamanaka. All the seats here are horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table), so you can stretch your legs comfortably. From a la carte dishes to kaiseki cuisine, all the dishes here are ones that bring out the original flavors of the ingredients. Koshu beef - a locally-reared branded Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) - has several unique characteristics: it is very tender, bright in color, and extremely flavorful. The [Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu Course] (1,980 JPY - 16,000 JPY, available for 2 or more people) includes generous portions of this beef. Gaze out at the beautiful lake while enjoying this delicious course meal!

Nagomi

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm *Reservations required
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Address: 21, Yamanaka, Yamanakako-mura, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi

14. Oshokujidokoro Taiho (Yamanakako - Creative Cuisine)

This restaurant is located near Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park. This is a great place to sample creative Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients like vegetables grown at the foot of Mt. Fuji, branded pork from Yamanashi Prefecture, locally-produced branded chicken eggs, and trout from Katsura River (Katsura-gawa). Do try the [Braised Pork] (800 JPY) - a dish of branded pork cooked to tender perfection - or the [Dashimaki Tamago] (800 JPY) (rolled omelet) that's made with flavorful eggs. Their original [Salt Hoto] (1,200 JPY) with a dashi (broth) that's flavored with sea bream is also worth trying.

Oshokujidokoro Taiho

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Monday *Closed on Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 865-919, Yamanaka, Yamanakako-mura, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi

15. Plumeria (Tsurubunkadaigaku-mae - Izakaya, Creative Cuisine)

This izakaya is a 5-minute walk from Tsurubunkadaigaku-mae Station, which is between Otsuki Station and Mt. Fuji Station. Everything from the menu and the Bali resort-like interior decor is handmade by the mother and daughter team that runs the place. There’s a focus on handmade food as well, and the dishes are both healthy and original. Check out the [Plumeria Queen] (700 JPY), which is a dish where tomatoes are wrapped in pork alongside cheese or perilla leaves and then fried. For lunch, there are 8 different 500 JPY menus available, making it very popular among university students.

Plumeria

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Monday, Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 500 JPY
Address: 2-13-19, Tahara, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi

Use this guide when you visit Mt. Fuji and try out all the delicious foods that the area has to offer!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.