5 Must-Visit Restaurants in Nagano to Experience the Bounty of Shinshu Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Nov 06 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Nagano

5 Must-Visit Restaurants in Nagano to Experience the Bounty of Shinshu

Nagano Prefecture, where forests cover 80% of the land, is a region rich in nature. Known also as Shinshu, this area attracts many tourists for activities such as mountain climbing and skiing, as well as visiting castles and temples. With delicious local produce like Shinshu beef, highland vegetables, and apples, why not experience the bounty of Shinshu in Nagano, a place that has also hosted the Winter Olympics?

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Nagano.

Pizza Verde Matsumoto

Enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired oven in Matsumoto

Located a 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station, Pizza Verde Matsumoto is certified by the 'True Neapolitan Pizza Association'. Visitors can enjoy authentic wood-fired pizzas that faithfully recreate the original taste. The classic "Margherita" pizza allows diners to appreciate the charm of simple ingredients. The "Apple and Honey with Ricotta Cheese Pizza", topped with Shinshu region apples and ice cream, offers a unique taste that can only be found in Nagano.

The owner of the restaurant is a Japanese pizza chef who achieved great success at a world competition held in Naples. The restaurant's interior, reflecting the Neapolitan culture he experienced, has a friendly atmosphere. The music selection is also Neapolitan, creating a space where one can feel like they are in Naples while in Matsumoto. In addition to a variety of authentic pizzas and dishes, Italian craft beers and wines are available to fully enjoy the Neapolitan experience.

Pizza Verde Matsumoto

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station on JR Shinonoi Line/ 3-minute walk from Daimyocho Street bus stop
Address: 4-8-22, Ote, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano
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LOW-NON-BAR #RTS

Enjoying Non-Alcoholic Cocktails & Shinshu Beef in Old Karuizawa

The concept of LOW-NON-BAR #RTS, located an 18-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, is 'enjoyable for both those who love alcohol and those who don't'. It is a restaurant specializing in mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) and low-alcohol cocktails. The signature 'LOW-NON-BAR' is served in cute bird-shaped glasses, offering a fruity taste of berries. The restaurant also boasts a variety of Italian-inspired dishes, including the 'Shinshu Beef Lamp Steak'.

The restaurant, with its white-based decor, resembles a stylish gallery space. Guests can choose from an array of bottles and glasses that catch their eye, and consult with the bartender to have a drink tailored to their preferences. Attention is also drawn to the increasingly popular Japanese craft gins, including a non-alcoholic craft gin supervised by the company and a gin made with Shinshu apples. Let's toast with these unique beverages.

LOW-NON-BAR #RTS

Open: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 18-minute walk from Karuizawa Station on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen
Address: 813-4-A, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
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Sake to Soba Taihoku

Taihoku, a Japanese cuisine restaurant, is housed in a refurbished historic storehouse. The tranquil ambience welcomes you upon entry. It offers a course menu featuring handmade soba noodles crafted with locally sourced flour from Azumino and Taihoku. Enjoy comparing two aromatic soba varieties and a la carte dishes prepared with fresh local produce. The president personally procures a wide selection of sake, including rare brands. Paired with food, it promises a delightful gastronomic experience. Admire the seasonal garden and immerse in Japanese culture at this special venue.

Sake to Soba Taihoku

Open: [Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 12-minute walk from Matsumoto Station on JR Chuo Line, JR Shinonoi Line, JR Oito Line, and Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line
Address: 2-4-13, Chuo, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano Map
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Tenpura Maki

A restaurant in Karuizawa where one can enjoy seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood in their tempura dishes

A restaurant in Karuizawa where one can enjoy seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood tempura

Located a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, Tenpura Maki is a tempura restaurant established in 1959. They use seasonal vegetables from Karuizawa and the surrounding areas, as well as fresh seafood delivered directly from Tokyo. You can enjoy meals such as the "Asama-yama" set meal or "Tendon". The "Omakase Vegetable Assortment" features a selection of eight seasonal vegetables and is served with tempura dipping sauce and a mineral-rich salt that includes crushed shells.

The restaurant is located a short distance from the old Karuizawa Ginza, in Karuizawa, a popular summer retreat. It operates annually from April to November. Known as a place where lines form as many people seek authentic tempura during its limited open season. The interior, filled with a Japanese aesthetic, is subtly decorated with seasonal flowers. Enjoy crispy tempura in this cozy space.

Tempura Maki

Open: Lunch: 11:00-15:00Dinner: 17:00-21:00 (last order 20:30)Open from 15:00-17:00 as well in the summer.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,800 JPY / [Lunch] 1,600 JPY
Access: Walk straight toward Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza from Karuizawa Station on the Nagano Shinkansen or Shinano Railway Line. 30 seconds on Mikasa-dori Avenue from Kyu-Karuizawa Shopping Street.
Address: 586-1 Kyu Karuizawa , Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
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Nihon Ryouri Shunka [Japanese Cuisine Shunka]

Experience Shinshu's traditional vegetables and branded beef in a kaiseki meal

Located just a 6-minute walk from Kondo Station, Shunka is a Japanese restaurant where diners can enjoy the flavors of seasonal ingredients that vary with the four seasons. The restaurant offers traditional Shinshu vegetables that have been cultivated in Nagano for generations, as well as local specialties such as 'Apple Wagyu Shinshu Beef' and 'Shinshu Rice Pork'. The kaiseki cuisine allows guests to savor these unique tastes. The menu changes with the seasons, providing cool flavors in summer and warm tastes in winter, ensuring a delightful dining experience tailored to each season.

The restaurant is located within the commercial facility 'Patio Daimon' on the Omotesando of Zenkoji Temple. It features the 'Yokikan', a pavilion over 100 years old, which has been restored inside the facility using original beams, transoms, and fusuma sliding doors. The restaurant is situated on the 2nd floor. The interior, which served as a guest house, conveys a history with a serene, purely Japanese ambiance. The 'Hanare', a completely private room renovated from an old storehouse, is perfect for private dining.

Nihon Ryouri Shunka [Japanese Cuisine Shunka]

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm *Reservations are always required / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm *Reservations are always required
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 30,000 JPY / [Lunch] 20,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes by car from JR [Nagano Station]
Address: Patio Daimon, 125 Higashi-machi, Nagano city, Nagano
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.