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

Update-Date: Oct 14, 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

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, skiing, and visiting castles and temples. With delicious local product like Shinshu beef, highland vegetables, and apples, why not experience the bounty of Shinshu in Nagano?

1. Wagyu Yakiniku Shinshu Sodachi

Wagyu Yakiniku Shinshu Sodachi is a locally rooted yakiniku restaurant that celebrates the rich flavors of Nagano. By purchasing whole Shinshu Wagyu cattle, it offers a wide range of cuts from rare to classic, allowing diners to fully savor the taste of Shinshu beef. Other local specialties—such as Shinshu Alps Beef, Shinshu Pork, and ice-temperature aged Koshihikari rice—enhance the menu’s depth of flavor. With its serene ambiance and expert craftsmanship, the restaurant provides an elegant dining experience ideal for everyday meals, celebrations, and entertaining guests, including visitors from abroad.

Wagyu Yakiniku Shinshu Sodachi

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), [Weekdays, Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm), [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), [Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Nagano Station on Nagano Dentetsu Nagano Line/ 3-minute walk from Nagano Station on JR Shin-etsu Line
Address: 4F, Nacs Suehiro, 1356, Minami-nagano Suehiro-cho, Nagano-shi, Nagano Map
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2. Yakiniku Botanen

Yakiniku Botanen, established in Kobe in 1951, is now located a 9-minute walk from Matsumoto Station, next to FM Nagano along Prefectural Road 297. It offers top-quality yakiniku, including Kobe beef, A4 and A5 grade black Japanese beef, horumon, and Shinshu pork. The interior, with its white and wood grain accents, exudes warmth and luxury, complemented by soothing jazz music. With seating for 30, including tables, sunken kotatsu, and a counter, the mother-and-son duo provides a cozy, homey atmosphere for an exceptional dining experience.

Yakiniku Botanen

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm / Please note that the restaurant may close early due to particular circumstances.
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
Access: 9-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station's Castle Gate
Address: 1-14-10, Honjo, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano Map
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3. Hikariya Higashi

At Hikariya Higashi in Matsumoto City, you can experience seasonal kaiseki cuisine in a historical building from 1887. While enjoying dishes made with local Shinshu ingredients, including premium Shinshu Wagyu beef, immerse yourself in Japanese culture with fusuma paintings inspired by Matsumoto. The restaurant offers children’s menus for family gatherings and a wide selection of local sake and whiskey. With private rooms available, it's the perfect spot for small celebrations or intimate dinners.

Hikariya Higashi

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 12:30 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 7:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 18,000 JPY / [Lunch] 9,000 JPY
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station (Castle Gate). It takes about 5 minutes by taxi from the Station.
Address: 4-7-14, Ote, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano Map
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4. Pizza Verde 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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5. 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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6. Tenpura Maki

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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7. Japanese Cuisine Shunka

Located a six-minute walk from Gondō Station, Japanese cuisine restaurant Shunka offers kaiseki cuisine featuring Nagano Prefecture's signature traditional vegetables and brand-name meats such as "Apple Wagyu Shinshu Beef" and "Shinshu Rice Pork." The menu is set up exclusively as a course, and orders are accepted for two or more people. The "Kaiseki Chef's Choice Course Shun, Drink Included," which changes monthly, features dishes made with seasonal ingredients and "Shinshu Beef Teppanyaki."

The restaurant is located within a restored facility, the "Yokikan," which served as a guest house over 100 years ago. Original beams and transoms remain, conveying a nostalgic charm to the present. Private rooms with tables and chairs on tatami mats offer a relaxing space. The private rooms, built in a storehouse with plaster walls and historic beams and sliding doors, offer a traditional Japanese atmosphere.

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 Map

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8. la rencontre

Located an 11-minute drive from Nagano Station, La Rencontre serves French cuisine made with fresh ingredients from Nagano Prefecture. Both lunch and dinner courses are by reservation only. One of the courses, "A Gift from Okushinano: Iizuna Aigamo Duck," offers an exquisite combination of Shinshu (Nagano) vegetables and locally-sourced Aigamo duck with firm meat.

The restaurant is housed in a renovated 150-year-old traditional Japanese house. The counter and tables are made of beautiful Yakusugi cedar. The French and Arita ware tableware has been carefully selected by the owner to "enhance the flavor of the food." From inside the restaurant, you can gaze out at the fields where herbs and flowers are grown, relaxing both body and mind.

la rencontre

Open: [Tuesday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (L.O. 1:00 pm) *It will take 2 hours 30 minutes / Dinner 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm) *It will take 3 hours 30 minutes
Closed: Monday
Average price: -
Access: 5 minutes walk from [Zenko-ji Temple] / 11 minutes by car from JR [Nagano Station]
Address: 328 Higashinomon-cho, Nagano, Oaza, Nagano city, Nagano Map
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9. Trattoria&Pizzeria&BAR LOGIC Nagano

Trattoria&Pizzeria&BAR LOGIC Nagano cuisine

Located a two-minute walk from Nagano Station, Trattoria & Pizzeria & BAR LOGIC Nagano is a restaurant where you can savor authentic Italian pizza and other Italian dishes. At PIZZA LOGIC, you can enjoy a half-and-half Margherita D.O.C. and half-Quattro Formaggi. The chef's carefully selected "Today's Appetizer Platter" is also recommended.

When you enter the restaurant, you'll find a bright space filled with sunlight pouring in through the large glass windows. The restaurant offers a variety of seating options, including a pop-inspired counter, sofa seats separated by curtains, and beautiful wood-grain table seats. Both the natural-looking table seats and the luxurious sofa seats offer a relaxing atmosphere for your meal.

Trattoria&Pizzeria&BAR LOGIC Nagano

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: December 31st
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk along Nagano-odori Street on the right side with the Zenkoji Temple Exit of Nagano Station on your back
Address: 1F, 1-12-3, Minami-Chitose, Nagano-shi, Nagano Map
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10. Hikariya Nishi

Located a 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station, Hikariya Nishi is a restaurant that advocates wellness gastronomy. Incorporating macrobiotic principles, the restaurant offers natural French cuisine made with carefully selected locally sourced ingredients. Course meals are offered for both lunch and dinner, featuring locally sourced ingredients such as Shinshu premium beef and vegetables from the restaurant's own farm.

The restaurant is housed in a renovated mansion built in 1887, and its impressive, historic appearance is striking. The plaster walls and warm wood texture create a chic, calming atmosphere. There are also private rooms renovated from a wealthy merchant's storehouse, allowing you to dine while experiencing history and the extraordinary. It's also close to Matsumoto Castle, making it a convenient stop off while sightseeing.

Hikariya Nishi

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Last entry 7:00 pm) [Firday - Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (Last entry 1:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 22,000 JPY / [Lunch] 11,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes by car from JR Matsumoto Station. Take [Town Sneaker], Matsumoto City Circle Bus from Matsumoto station, and get off at [Agetsuchimachi] (Northern Course) or [Museum of Weights and Measures] (Eastern Course).
Address: 4-7-14 Ote, Matsumoto , Nagano Map

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11. Restaurant Carrot

Located a 10-minute drive from Tobu Yunomaru Interchange, Restaurant Carrot serves dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The "Shinshu Salmon Salad Pizza" uses locally sourced salmon and crisp, fresh vegetables. We also recommend the "Italian Course," which includes pasta and wood-fired pizza.

The restaurant has a bright and spacious atmosphere. The abundant use of wood creates a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Private rooms are available for groups of three or more, perfect for those who value privacy. There is a field in front of the restaurant, where vegetables are grown in pesticide-free, organically fertilized soil. Guests love the home-grown vegetables and herbs.

Restaurant Carrot

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday] 11:00 am - 9:00 pm *Closing time may be earlier depending on the situation. *The food is not available from 14:30 to 17:00 due to café time.
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY
Access: 10 minutes by car from Tobuyunomaru IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway. We can be found along Route 18.
Address: 1476 Moto Un'no , Tomi-shi, Nagano Map

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12. Divertente

Located a 15-minute drive from Nagano Station, Divertente is a casual Italian restaurant where you can enjoy ingredients from Nagano. We recommend their homemade pizza, baked with a dough made from a blend of two types of flour, one from Nagano and one from Italy. Homemade pizza is also available as part of the "Lunch Set" and "Dinner Set." They also have a selection of wines from Nagano and Italy.

The restaurant is located about a 3-minute walk from the main hall of Zenkoji Temple, making it a convenient stop off after visiting the temple. The spacious interior and tables with ample space between them allow you to relax without worrying about others. This child-friendly restaurant is also recommended for families. There are counter seats for individuals or couples, as well as terrace seats where you can enjoy the sunshine.

Divertente

Open: [Sunday - Tuesday,Thursday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (last order 1:30 pm)[Sunday - Tuesday,Friday,Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (last order 8:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access:
Address: Nagano Prefecture Nagano City Nagano Yokozawamachi 717 Map

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13. SOUSAKU28

Located a five-minute walk from Gondo Station, SOUSAKU28 (Sousaku Nihachi) is a restaurant serving soba noodles from Nagano. Enjoy dishes like the "Extreme Togakushi 100% Soba" (limited to 10 servings), made with 100% Togakushi buckwheat flour; the "Nihachi Soba" (28% buckwheat flour), made with 100% Nagano buckwheat flour; and tempura made with Nagano ingredients. Experience the "soba-mae" culture of enjoying light snacks and sake before eating soba.

The chic interior creates a calm and cozy atmosphere. The counter seats, made from a single plank and illuminated by indirect lighting, showcase the beautiful wood grain. All table seating is semi-private, accommodating two to eight people, allowing you to relax without worrying about others. Enjoy a luxurious time savoring fragrant soba noodles with a glass of Nagano's local sake or wine.

SOUSAKU28

Open: [Weekday,Saturday,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (last order 12:30 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access:
Address: Kasai Life Building 1F, 1352-5 Tsurugakamichitose-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Map

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14. Kono Luana

Located a seven-minute walk from Hirooka Station, Kono Luana is a hamburger shop that uses locally sourced ingredients. Their signature dish, the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Burger, uses ingredients from Nagano Prefecture, including Shinshu beef and Shinshu noni eggs. The Shinshu Azumino Burger features Shinshu beef and Shinshu salmon. Both are generously sized and satisfying.

Entering the restaurant, which has an eye-catching white exterior, you'll find both table and tatami seating. The table seating has a casual yet stylish atmosphere. The tatami seating has a kids' space, so you can dine while keeping an eye on your children. Highchairs are also available, making it a safe and family-friendly option. Burgers, fries, and drinks are also available for takeout.

Kono Luana

Open: [Sunday,Tuesday - Saturday,Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm / Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Closed: The third Tuesday (or the next business day if Monday is a public holiday)
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access:
Address: 1793-1 Hirookanomura, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Map
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15. Ramen Hachi

Located a nine-minute drive from Shinano-Kokubunji Station, Ramen Hachi is a popular ramen restaurant, attracting repeat customers from both the local area and far and wide. Their signature dish, the "Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen," is delicious thanks to its original soup made with rich, sweet kanro soy sauce from Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and pork bones. Their "Miso Ramen," made with Nagano's white koji miso, is a flavor loved by a wide range of customers.

The restaurant is located in a tranquil area dotted with residential areas amidst a rural landscape. Located just off the national highway, the restaurant's wooden exterior is a striking feature. The interior, with its warm wood-themed interior, creates a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel like you're visiting a friend's home. Tatami seating and counter seating are available, allowing you to relax and enjoy your meal.

Ramen Hachi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, national holidays] Lunch 11:30 - 15:30 / Dinner 17:00 - 22:00
Closed: Tuesdays
Average price: [Dinner] 999 JPY / [Lunch] 999 JPY
Access: Roughly nine minutes by car from Shinano-Kokubunji Station. From the station, continue along the #18 national highway Ueda Bypass, and turn right at Sumiyoshi-Higashi intersection.
Address: 1922-13 Kozato, Ueda-shi, Nagano Map

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16. cinq sens K

Located a five-minute walk from Gondo Station, cinq sens K is a French restaurant that requires reservations. The course's appetizer, "Shinshu Salmon, Seasonal Vegetables, and Buckwheat Flour," features the rustic flavor of a buckwheat flour galette and the gentle aroma of vegetables and herbs that fills your mouth. Decorated with colorful edible flowers, it's a visually appealing dish.

The restaurant has different themes on its first and second floors. The second floor is a French restaurant where you can enjoy a course meal in an elegant atmosphere. The first floor is a sophisticated wine bar where you can enjoy an à la carte menu and wines carefully selected by a sommelier. The wine selection ranges from classics to rare wines, mainly from Nagano Prefecture and France, and pairings with dishes are also available.

cinq sens K

Open: [Sunday - Tuesday,Thursday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - / Lunch 12:00 pm -
Closed: Other irregular holiday
Average price: -
Access:
Address: 2324 Gondo-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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