For a home-style authentic Japanese food, don’t miss the chance to dine in Heianraku Takayama. A simple yet fabulous people with food in Takayama.
Heianraku (平安楽) is a cozy little restaurant run by a lovely husband and wife. Together they worked hand by hand with each dishes were made with loving care. It served simple yet delicious Japanese local home-style food.
During my stay in Takayama, we visited Heianraku for its home-cooked dishes for dinner. We don’t know about this amazing place before our visit. We were so great that we found this little gem. It is also the best place if you are looking for a vegan or vegetarian restaurant in Takayama.
In this Takayama food blog, let’s me share with Heianraku Takayama.
Heianraku Takayama
Heianraku is located within walking distance from JR Takayama station. Therefore, it is easily accessible on foot from our stay Takayama Country Hotel. Before the trip, we read about the review and understand the reservation was highly recommended. We managed to book for dinner at about 7 p.m. We had some rest after wandering in Takayama and then slowly walk to Heianraku before 30 minutes.
Address: 6 Chome-7-2 Tenman, Takayama, Gifu 506-0025, Japan
Operating Hours: 11:30 to 13:00 and 17:30 to 20:00. Close at Tuesday
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Great Food With Fantastic Host
Once we stepped in, we received a lovely greeting from an adorable wife. We sat at bar counter table with water and warm hand towel were served.
From here, we could see the husband chef was busily prepared the dishes in front of us. While the adorable wife was helping by taking order, serving dish and all front service. That’s the reason that only can handle the limited number of diners.
The menu from Heianraku is very accommodating. Most of the foods are Japanese-style Chinese cuisine. Meanwhile, they also serve vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Besides, they also happy to accommodate any special requests or dietary requirements. Most importantly, it is an English menu with a cute picture.
We choose to order the set menu which came with main dishes with rice set. The wife can speak very well English. So no worry on how to order in Heianraku.
The lovely appetizer came first. It is a complimentary dish with potato ball and tofu served together. Added, we also got the hot miso soup.
Next, the set meal was served with sizzling stir-fry veggie, tofu, and egg. It also came with a bowl of Japanese rice.
Moreover, we also add on gyoza as a side dish for a complete meal. Every dishes made with good quality. In conclusion, we had a wonderful dinner in Heianraku Takayama.
At the end of the meal, the wife even walked us out and sent us on our way with bows.
Heianraku Takayama Food Review
If you are a meat-lover or prefer for glamour dining, Heianraku is not for you. That is to say, Heianraku is not the top-notch place for instag or other social media. However, you will love for its fantastic hosting and dining experience in Heianraku. The people make it the most fabulous food in Takayama.
All in all, we highly recommended Heianraku Takayama if you are looking for what to eat in Takayama. It was truly one of the best dining experience with authentic Japanese home-cooked food. Limited seat with reservation required to dine in little gem in Takayama.
We tried on Takayama Kotte Ushi Hida beef sushi, a signature dish that just melted in your mouth. Must-try food in Takayama and highly recommended.
Hida beef is always one of my must-try food when visiting Takayama. This signature food is served with yakiniku style, steak skewer, burger, steam bun and variety of cooking methods. But for sure the most unique is served in nigiri sushi.
Located at the old town of Takayama, Hida Kottegyu (こって牛) is easily spotted when wandering around in Sanmachi Street. It is a small shop but always a long queue in front. People lined up just taste on its best Hida beef sushi in Takayama. Kotte Ushi’s Hida beef sushi is popular among foreign and even local Japanese.
We visited and tasted on Kottegyu’s beef sushi as part of my Takayama itinerary. It was located in the center of Sanmachi street with 10 minutes of walk from my stay Takayama Country Hotel.
Read on my food experience on Takayama Kottegyu Hida beef sushi. One of the must-try food in Takayama.
What To Order
Note: Price change after increasing of government tax
The menu of Kotte Ushi is very simple and easy to order. There are only 4 things to choose which labeled as Set A, B, C, and X.
Set A: A pair of roasted Hida beef sushi simply with salt and soy sauce.
Set B: A pair of Gunkan beef sushi with diced Hida beef and raw quail egg.
Combo Set C: Three pieces of Hida beef sushi from Set A and Set B.
Set X: A premium raw Hida beef sushi in sirloin cut
While Set C is a nice option as it has all types of combo from A and B. However, my friend was not a big fan of quail raw egg. So we decide to go the Set A and Set X to share.
Note: The price increase since our last visit to Takayama.
The Taste of Best Hida Beef Sushi
Long line in front of Kottegyu Takayama
As expected, there were already people lined up at Takayama Kotte Ushi when we reached. We followed the line to order our Hida beef sushi. Although there were about 20 people lined up in front, the queue moved pretty fast.
Order at Kottegyu
We paid through an open window and a woman worked on serving out our Hida beef nigiri. The best thing is the food is made as you order so you will receive guaranteed freshness.
We managed to get our order in about 15 minutes. It looked so pretty and beautifully plated on a senbei rice cracker.
See the difference between Set A and Set X.
Kottegyu Hida Beef Sushi Set X
We all agree that Set X was our favorite. It was so juicy and melted flavorful once put inside the mouth. I even can feel my mouth was full of the flavor of beef.
The taste was similar to flavorful toro sushi. But you will never realized that it was beef sushi. Amazingly delicious!
Kottegyu Hida Beef Sushi Set A
Set A was nice too. It perfected cooked in medium rare with lightly topped with seasoning. However, when compared with Set X, the flavor might not too strong that gave us the “WOW” feeling. But don’t get me wrong, the Set A was excellent too.
Kotte Ushi Sushi: Must Try Food in Takayama
In short, Takayama Kotte Ushi sushi was one of the best things that I’ve ever tasted. It was so seriously amazing and melted in mouth once bite on it. The beef was so flavorful and the rice goes perfectly on it. It might sound costly but worth the splurge. Make sure to try it when visit to Takayama.
This Kotte Ushi Hida beef sushi is part of the food review on Takayama itinerary. Don’t forget to read on my Takayama travel guide if you need help on things to do and what to eat in Takayama. Happy food trip in Takayama.
Wondering where and what to eat in Takayama? We included the top 10 must eat food in this Takayama food guide to plan on your food tour when visiting here.
Hida Takayama is a popular destination to visit in Chubu Japan. Being one of the central hubs in Hida prefecture, Takayama is one of the best places to visit and also nearby attractions such as Shirakawago, Kamikochi and more. However, Takayama is not known for its beautiful sightseeing attraction. It is also the best place to sample for its delicious food or even snack food in the street.
In this Takayama food guide blog, I’m going to share the top 10 must-eat foods and where to try them in Takayama.
Best Food in Takayama Food Guide
A journey to Takayama must include a flavorful encounter with their highly esteemed Hida beef. There are various ways to taste it. So, don’t be surprised most of the top 10 must-try foods are made with the quality of Hida beef.
We visited Takayama and stayed in Country Hotel Takayama for 2 nights. We spend our time visiting and tested the best food in Takayama. Most of the foods are highly recommended by locals and worth for visit just for food.
Takayama Food Guide: The Top-10 Must-try food in Takayama (and where):
Yakiniku Hida Beef
Nigiri Hida Beef Sushi
Takayama Ramen
Hida Gyuuman
Mitarashi Dango
Hida Brewery Sake
Hida Beef Burger
Home Style Authentic Japanese Food
Yakisoba
Japanese Street Food
Let’s start our food trip journey in Takayama.
Takayama Travel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Takayama, check prices for Takayama Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.
1. Yakiniku Hida Beef
Yakiniku Hida beef in Ajikura Tengoku
Gifu prefecture is famous and renowned for its A5 quality Hida beef. It has been raised naturally for at least 14 months and certified for its grade level. There is various way to eat Hida beef. But for sure, Yakiniku is one of the best ways to taste it. It a Japanse BBQ where you can grill and cooked your meat on your own. Taste on it and you can feel how that melted in your mouth.
Ajikura Tengoku (味蔵天国) is famous and well know for Hida beef in yakiniku style. You can cook you the maturity by your own preference. It served the finest quality of meat with marbling fat. Most importantly, the price is very reasonable for the Hida beef glamour in Takayama.
Hidagyu Maruaki (丸明) is another best place where you can try the local Hida beef. It served the Hida beef in yakiniku or shabu-shabu in the restaurant. Choices of beef available which divide into fatty, medium, and lean types. A lovely restaurant with a butcher shop located next to the restaurant.
We know that Japan is famous for its freshness and quality sushi. But have you ever tested the nigiri Hida beef sushi? It is the special sushi that you can only find in Hida Takayama. Don’t be get wrong as it is the just simple with Hida beef on top. This sushi is served with quality Hida beef with different grades to order. It is so delicious and melted in the mouth once a bite on it. Another best thing is their plate is made with rice crackers (senbei) as a plate. You can eat the senbei plate after you finish up the Hida beef sushi.
Sakaguchiya (坂口屋) is a small shop that served the best Hida beef sushi in Takayama. It is also the first restaurant that served the sushi with Hida beef on top. You can choose to dine in or order through a small window at the side of the shop.
Kottegyu (こって牛) undoubtedly the most popular stall within this area to sell Hida beef sushi. You can easily spot it with people queuing in front when getting around in Sanmanchi street. But don’t worry to grab on it as the queue is clearing pretty fast. Probably rated in the top three must-eat food on my Takayama food guide.
Ramen is always one of the best local dishes in Japan. Every region has its specialized broth and flavors. Everyone has its favorite richness of broth or thickness of noodles. I always love to taste the ramen when visiting different region of Japan. The best part of ramen in Takayama is run by locals where you can have the original taste on it. So don’t forget to eat a hot bowl of Takayama ramen when in town. One of the must-eat in Takayama food guide.
Mame Tengu (豆天狗) is a 70 years family running ramen restaurant in Takayama. It has its curly noodle and special flavors for their broth. If you would like to taste on the Takayama ramen, we highly recommend trying in Mametengu.
Menya Shirakawa (麺屋 しらかわ) is a small local restaurant in Takayama. They are known for their high-quality noodles and flavor of broth. Their ramen is prepared with fresh ingredients and cooked for the best ramen in Takayama.
4. Hida Gyuuman
Kihachiro Gyuman (喜八郎)
One of the unique food to try in Takayama is the Hida Gyuman. It is a tasty steamed bun made with juicy Hida beef and Japanese vegetables. It is soft and fluffy at out. But when you stuff into your mouth, you can feel the juicy and flavorful of Hida beef. The best snack to eat in Takayama.
Kihachiro (喜八郎) probably serving the best Hida Gyuman in Takayama. They use 100% Hida beef for their tasty beef bun. Make sure to drop by to Kihachiro to taste its delicious beef bun in Takayama.
5. Mitarashi Dango
Mitarashi Dango
The Mitarashi Dango is a savory skewer rice ball made with mochi in little round dumping size. This traditional Japanese snack is grilled and covered with sesame, sweet or soy sauce. It is a popular snack in Takayama and easily spotted when visiting Takayama.
While every shop has its recipe for its sauce and beloved by its supporter. We recommended Sangawaya (三川屋 本店) and Jinya Dango to get the best Mitarashi Dango in Takayama. Make sure to stop by one of them and taste on this local traditional snack.
6. Hida Brewery Sake
Taste Sake in Takayama
Thanks to its weather and freshwater, the mountainous region in Gifu district producing high-quality sake. It is once the home of sake in Japan with more than dozens of breweries in Hida Takayama region. But now it only has about four to five sake breweries still in business. So for sure, the remaining produce the best sake in Takayama.
You can spot the sake breweries shop by a big cedar ball called sugidama which hang in front of the shop. Or a traditional sake barrels (sakadaru) located in front of the shops. Come taste for the sake or buy one as a souvenir back to home country.
If you want to taste on different variety of sake, just go for sake tasting in Takayama. We highly recommended to visit the Harada Sake Brewery. Just buying a sake cup from the owner and you can sample on all the sake in the house. The variety probably up to 12 type. Some of the sake is only available in the Takayama region that can’t find elsewhere. Make sure to ask for a recommendation from staff if you don’t know which is the best one.
7. Hida Beef Burger
Center4 Hamburgers in Takayama
While travelers usually visit Japan to taste on its traditional dishes. But hamburgers is a very popular food in Takayama, especially among Japanese. It is the best fusion cruise perfectly combine between Japanese and Western.
The unique thing about hamburger in Takayama is their patty is made with Hida beef. And this is the reason why their Hida burger has enhanced flavor on its meat. It can be so juicy and delicious. Many people come all the way to eat the best Hida beef burger in Takayama.
Due to too many of good food, we do not have a chance to taste the Hida Beef Hamburgers. But my Japan friend is highly recommended to try at Center4 Hamburgers. Let me know how it taste if you have chance to eat this best food in Takayama.
8. Home Style Authentic Japanese Food
Home Style Authentic Japanese Food in Heianraku (平安楽)
Home Style Authentic Japanese Food in Heianraku (平安楽) For sure you’ll find some top-notch restaurant in Takayama with good food and professional staff. However, take a chance to taste on home-style authentic Japanese food.
Heianraku (平安楽) is an amazing place for the best local food in Takayama. Run by friendly husband and wife, Heianraku served simple yet delicious Japanese and Chinese local home-style food for guest. The food is mostly Japanese-style Chinese cuisine. Added, plenty of options for vegetarian and gluten-free.
Dining in Heianraku makes you feel at home. Highly recommended for authentic Japanese experience with fantastic hosting experience in Takayama. Limited seat with reservation required to dine in little gem in Takayama.
Along with ramen and udon, one of my favorite food to eat is yakisoba. Chitose is a popular place for the best yakisoba in Takayama among locals. Located nearby the JR Takayama station, Chitose is a small family-run restaurant serving for the yakisoba in town.
We found this restaurant when looking for what to eat in the late afternoon. And we had a very comfortable meal here. Staff was friendly with English menu to help for order. You can also try ramen or other noodles dishes in Chitose. Reasonable price with good portions of good. A great place for lunch in Takayama.
10. Japanese Street Food
Japanese Street Food in Takayama
Last from my Takayama food guide. Don’t forget to sample some Japanese street food when wandering around in town. It’s easy to grab and can get in various places, including Sannochi street and morning market. Having some Japanese snack food is so perfect when you’re feeling just a little hungry while exploring around.
We tried on Hida version takoyaki when visiting the Miyagawa morning market. Added, sample on the Hida beef steak and matcha ice cream in late afternoon when wandering around in the old town area.
Which is your Best food in Takayama?
All in all, we enjoy our food tour in Takayama. The foods in Takayama are combined with traditional and modern cuisine. It served with high-quality ingredients which makes their food are so delicious and unique.
We stayed in Takayama Country Hotel for 2 nights and never had an empty stomach. We tested most of the best food in Takayama but it never enough. I am pretty there are even more choices if you want to spend more time here.
Hopeful this Takayama food guide with the top 10 must eat food in Takayama can give you some idea on what to eat during your trip. If you have any questions about visiting Takayama, or any food tips or restaurant suggestion. Let us know and I would love to hear from you.
Make sure to visit Ajikura Tengoku for the best Hida beef in Takayama. A well-known restaurant specialized Hida beef in yakiniku style.
During my visit to Takayama, we went to taste the best Hida beef in Takayama. Many restaurants and shops are offering Hida beef on their menu. However, Ajikura Tengoku (味蔵天国) probably one of the best among all the restaurant in Takayama. It is specialized and served the Hida beef in Yakiniku style. A popular restaurant in Takayama among locals and visitors from all around the world.
For those looking for where to look for the best Hida beef in Takayama. Read on my dining experience for the best Hida beef restaurant in Takayama, Ajikura Tengoku.
Our Visit To Ajikura Tengoku
Getting to Ajikura Tengoku is very convenient. Located on the same side of the JR Takayama station, it is easy to find with less than 5 minutes’ walk from the station. Added, easy accessible from our hotel stay, Takayama Country Hotel.
While Ajikura Tengoku does not take booking during the weekend. So we decided to get there earlier after completed our 1-Day Takayama itinerary. We arrived in Ajikura Tengoku at about 5.30 p.m. But out of our surprise, there were already long waiting lists even before 6 p.m. We wrote down our name and waited patiently for our turn.
Ajikura Tengoku provided a waiting room with free WIFI for guests. So, we spend our time to study their menu while waiting for seated.
The menu of Ajikura Tengoku came with Japanese or English version. So no worry on how to order in Ajikura Tengoku. It offers a variety of beef options at different grades. You can ordered from an ala carte menu or combination platter. Good option for those don’t know what to eat in Ajikura Tengoku.
お得盛り Hida beef platter in Ajikura Tengoku
The most premium platter, 味蔵盛り with the best Hida beef cut cost about 10,000 yen. Alternative, you can go for lower range platter, お得盛り at 6,000 yen which mix with beef and pork meat. These two platters are best for 2 to 3 people.
After discussion, we picked お得盛り for a platter of Hida beef.
Side Order with rice bowl in Ajikura Tengoku
Besides, it also has other meat such as chicken, pork, and seafood if you are not fans of beef. You can also add on some side order such salads and rice into your meal. We added the rice bowl to complete our meal in Ajikuratengoku.
Best Quality Beef
Within an hour, we were comfortably seated at our table. The atmosphere inside the Ajikura Tengoku was very ambiance. There are Japanese styles with low tables on tatami floor or standard Western seating area for guests.
The staff seem like enjoy their job despite of large crowd. Service was good with prompt response. We ordered our Hida beef and ready for the meal.
Yakiniku style in Ajikura Tengoku
Without a long wait, our beef platter was served. Ajikura Tengoku is specialized in Yakiniku style which means you grill the meat your own.
The waiter was kind and explained how to cook the meat before we served ourselves. And then the option to dip it into a special yakiniku sauce which includes salt, garlic, and miso.
Yakiniku Hida beef in Ajikura Tengoku
We grilled our Hida beef and can’t wait to have the first bite. We let the beef in cooked for 70% maturity and then taste on it.
The Hida beef was so amazing. Honestly, though, I am not a professional beef eater. But I can feel how good of the Hida beef in Ajikura Tengoku. The layer of fat melted in my mouth. The quality of the beef was so excellent.
A very satisfying meal to end to our stay in Takayama.
Best Hida Beef in Takayama
Make sure do try on some local specialty when being in the Hida Prefecture. While Hida Beef is the must-try food for anyone visiting Takayama. We enjoy our meal in Ajikura Tengoku. The beef was so tender and juicy. For those who look for the best Hida beef in Takayama, Ajikura Tengoku got our vote.
Expected to pay at least 3000 yen for one person. But for A5 beef quality, the price is hard to beat. Prices are very reasonable and much cheaper than Wagyu or Kobe. Highly recommended for people when looking for what to eat in Takayama.
Lastly, this Takayama food blog is part of travel posts when visiting the Chubu region. Read also my Takayama travel stories if you are interest.
