Update-date: Jan 31 2020
Categories:
Hakone
These days, when the weather is still cold, wouldn't it be nice to swap an ordinary date in the city for a day trip to an onsen (hot spring)? If you're not sure where to go, you can't go wrong with Hakone, known for being a reliable destination for a day trip to an onsen. Must-go spots in Hakone aren't limited to famous onsen, as it boasts of a number of restaurants serving delicious food. This list introduces restaurants that you would want to visit with your date after enjoying one of the onsen of Hakone.
1. Yuba-don Naokichi
At this restaurant, you can eat yuba (tofu skin) made with water from a famous spring called "Hime no Mizu" (water of the princess) from the Ohiradai district in Hakone. It is located in front of Hakone-Yumoto Station, and offers [Yuba-don] (rice bowl dish with yuba). [Yuba-don] features yuba made with spring water from Hakone and quality soy milk, which is then simmered in a refined dashi (broth) and cooked with eggs before being placed on a bowl of rice. It is a luxurious and exquisite dish.
[Yuba Zenzai] is a dessert that you can only eat at this restaurant.
Located in a quiet alley behind the lively main street, this restaurant has a calm atmosphere.
Yuba-don Naokichi
Open: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm (L.O. 6:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,520 JPY *2,000 JPY set with umeshu (plum-flavored sake), fresh yuba sashimi, hime tofu, and dessert / [Lunch] 980 JPY *No set time for lunch
Access: 3-minute walk along the Haya River from Hakone-Yumoto Station
Address: 696, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,520 JPY *2,000 JPY set with umeshu (plum-flavored sake), fresh yuba sashimi, hime tofu, and dessert / [Lunch] 980 JPY *No set time for lunch
Access: 3-minute walk along the Haya River from Hakone-Yumoto Station
Address: 696, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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2. Hatsuhana Main Branch
A meal to be enjoyed during a tour in Hakone has to be Hatsuhana's famous [Hakone Soba] (buckwheat noodles)! The main branch is located in a place with a great view of the Haya River (Haya-kawa), right next to the Hakone-Yumoto Bridge (Hakone-Yumoto-bashi). The famous Japanese mountain yam soba of Hakone is made without water, using nothing but buckwheat, Japanese mountain yams, and eggs.
The soba do not get soggy, even after a long time, so they are also popular as "take-out souvenir soba".
Their private rooms allow you to enjoy your meal without worrying about other customers, so they are ideal for dates.
Hatsuhana Main Branch
Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (L.O. 6:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
*Also closed on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. The new branch is closed every Thursday and on the last Thursday and Friday of every month.
Average price: 980 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station
Address: 635, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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Closed: Wednesday
*Also closed on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. The new branch is closed every Thursday and on the last Thursday and Friday of every month.
Average price: 980 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station
Address: 635, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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3. Nisshintei
Located just a short walk from Hakone-Yumoto, this is the original [Hakone-Yumoto Te-uchi Ramen] (Hakone-Yumoto handmade ramen (noodles)) restaurant. Their handmade flat noodles, as well as their light and simple soup, are - and always have been - made by the original recipe. They compliment each other perfectly. The resulting dish is enjoyed by everyone: old and young, men and women.
A recommended dish is [Haikara Ippin Teishoku], where you get handmade ramen in a set.
You can see them making their noodles in the showroom located behind the glass by the entrance.
Nisshintei
Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
*When a national holiday falls on Tuesday, the restaurant is closed the following Wednesday
Average price: 1,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station towards Hakone, following the railway of Hakone Tozan Train line along Sakura Street
Address: 703, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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Closed: Tuesday
*When a national holiday falls on Tuesday, the restaurant is closed the following Wednesday
Average price: 1,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station towards Hakone, following the railway of Hakone Tozan Train line along Sakura Street
Address: 703, Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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4. Yamahiko-zushi
This restaurant uses local fish chosen by a fishmonger that has been in business for 70 years. Every morning they procure local fish from the morning catch at Sagami Bay (Sagami-wan). The sushi, being made by a veteran cook with 35 years of experience, is perfection. Why don't you take your time and enjoy yourself in this refined, pure Japanese atmosphere that's not too far from the Byroad of Hakone (Hakone Urakai-do)?
Limited to lunch time, this is the [Kaisen-don] (rice bowl dish with seafood) with lots of colorful toppings.
The interior consists of relaxing Japanese-style tatami rooms that can accommodate 15 people in total.
Yamahiko-zushi
Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY *The nigiri-zushi (hand-formed sushi) you pick will be sold at market value / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY *At lunch time, their non-alcoholic beer is sold at 350 JPY (the normal price is 450 JPY)
Access: 1 minute walk from Miyagino bus stop using buses coming from Hakone-Yumoto
Address: 635-1, Miyagino, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY *The nigiri-zushi (hand-formed sushi) you pick will be sold at market value / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY *At lunch time, their non-alcoholic beer is sold at 350 JPY (the normal price is 450 JPY)
Access: 1 minute walk from Miyagino bus stop using buses coming from Hakone-Yumoto
Address: 635-1, Miyagino, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Map
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5. Il Miraggio
Suitable for anniversaries, this restaurant inside a local hotel offers an ever-changing view of seasonal scenery to complement your meal. Speaking of meals, here, you can enjoy creative French cuisine that makes the most of seasonal vegetables. The chef's special, dainty dishes can be freely enjoyed buffet-style.
Baked by the chef right in front of you, this is the steaming hot [Cheese Omelet].
For a fitting conclusion to your fine meal, order the [Flambe] - an extravagant performance of dancing flames!
Il Miraggio
Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm *Everyday, it closes at 3:00 pm
Dinner 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm *For dinner, prior reservations are required. Make sure to call ahead!
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,150 JPY (plus tax) / [Lunch] 2,770 JPY (plus tax)
Access: Take the Hakone Tozan Bus to the Hakone hotel-mae bus stop
Address: 65, Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Dinner 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm *For dinner, prior reservations are required. Make sure to call ahead!
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,150 JPY (plus tax) / [Lunch] 2,770 JPY (plus tax)
Access: Take the Hakone Tozan Bus to the Hakone hotel-mae bus stop
Address: 65, Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
