The 10 unmissable restaurants in Northwestern Honshu (Hokuriku), February 2019 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 07 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Northwestern Honshu (Hokuriku), February 2019

Planning a trip to Northwestern Honshu (Hokuriku) and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Kanazawa, Fukui, and Toyama.

1. Yakiniku Takachan

[Yakiniku Takachan] offers fresh, high-quality Japanese beef brands meet. Enjoy our yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) with exquisite A5-ranked beef. We dare not stick to brand names, but hold to the quality. You can select meat from our showcase as well. We do not use frozen meat, but thoroughly carry out chilled storage to avoid drips and serve the best-conditioned savory meat. You may be able to encounter rare cuts you have never tasted before, as we often serve rare and precious cuts [to impress, surprise, and please the guests]. We also offer a wide variety of alcohol drinks to offer a fun moment to anyone. We are going to stock more wine so that you can also use us as a yakiniku wine bar. Private rooms are available, ideal for entertaining your clients or family meals.

Yakiniku Takachan

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm *Reservations are always required for lunch (Food L.O. 1:30 pm / Drink L.O. 1:40 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes by car or 11 minutes walk from [Tonami Station] on JR Johana Line (5 minutes by car from Tonami IC on Hokuriku Expressway)
Address: 1-14-22 Yutaka-machi, Tonami city, Toyama (Map)
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2. Mr. Beef

This restaurant mainly uses Mineno beef. Mineno is a cattle breed raised in a farm among the mountains of Shizuoka and fed with organic corn and spring water from the base of Mt. Fuji. Its lean meat boasts a deep flavor, the sirloin and ribs have a thick marbling that makes them melty and tender, and the fat has a top-class flavor. The menu allows you to fully savor this beef through the [Hamburg Steak] that uses 100% Mineno beef (lean and marbled varieties), the [Thickly Cut Sirloin], which is perfect if you want to enjoy the flavor of marbled meat fully, and a variety of rare cuts. There are also carefully selected drinks that go well with the meat, like sours made with whole frozen fruits. The restaurant has counter seats on the 1st floor and rooms with sofas for up to 12 people on the 2nd. Head here to enjoy premium meat leisurely!

Mr. Beef

Open: [Monday - Thursday] 6:30 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am) [Friday, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:30 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from the bus stops of Katamachi or Korinbo. Take the alley next to Cote d'Azur and you'll find it in front of the coin parking lot.
Address: 1-5-31, Kata-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa

3. COIL

[COIL] arranges Japan's traditional cuisine in a modern style. Enjoy our [Thinly-Wrapped Sushi], [Tempura], and [Tea]. You can select and create your own dishes at this experience-based restaurant. With [Thinly-Wrapped Sushi], you can select your favorite ingredients and wrap them on your own. After having meals, you can also enjoy comparing the different tastes of carefully-selected Japanese teas from our [Tea Tasting Stand]. After finding your favorite tea brand, select Japanese confections at the [Ochauke (sweets served with tea) Stand]. At our experience-based restaurant, you can also enjoy whisking your own matcha tea. In our sophisticated and stylish space, we have an outstanding hexagon table and relaxing tatami rooms, ideal to enjoy with your family and friends, or for entertaining foreign guests. Elegantly enjoy tasting Japanese cuisine and feeling the heart of the Japanese.

COIL

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: From [Kanazawa Station] or [Hokutetsu Kanazawa Station], go along the main street. On the second floor of the building on the left side of [Musashi] intersection
Address: 2F, Kanazawa Hakomachi, 1-1 Fukuromachi, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa

4. Nishikawa

[Nishikawa] is a traditional Japanese restaurant near to the Saigawa River, on top of the Kyu-Sakurazaka Slope. This restaurant with a Japanese garden designed by Mr. Mirei Shigemori, one of the top garden designers in Japan, is in a renovated building which was formerly a private residence. You can naturally relax in this spacious restaurant of 1,650 m². Enjoy our various exquisite dishes with elegant appearances, using an abundance of local ingredients, such as [Kaga Vegetables] and [seafood] from Kanazawa. We offer reasonable set meals, kaiseki (traditional Japanese cuisine courses), and seasonal dishes such as [Kani Shabu (crab parboiled with vegetables)] in winter. We have counter seats with the view of the Japanese garden illuminated at night, and private rooms for those who need privacy.

Nishikawa

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm / Dinner from 5:00 pm. Please book by the previous day. Please refrain from accompanying children 10 years-old or younger. We are not accessibly-designed.
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 15 minutes walk from Kenroku-en
Address: 3-5-18 Teramachi, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa (Map)
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5. Nagomiya

Nagomiya, located in the Katamachi Denma shopping district of Kanazawa, is a restaurant popular for its Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients. The food served here is full of seasonal flavors, such as fresh fish caught in the morning in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, and Kaga vegetables grown carefully by local farmers. Each dish at this restaurant is made with loving care by the chef-owner, Takashi Koitabashi, and is packed with wholesome goodness that warms the heart. The [Sashimi] of the day's best seafood and the [Seasonal Tempura] are not to be missed. Another appeal of this restaurant is the wide selection of outstanding local sake, such as the Ikezuki made by an established Noto sake maker, that can only be enjoyed locally. There are comfortable table and counter seats, as well as private rooms for small parties. This is a restaurant for all occasions, be it a relaxing dinner on your own, an intimate dinner for two, or a fun evening with friends.

Nagomiya

Open: [Weekdays, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)[Saturday] 5:30 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: A 10-minute drive from [Kanazawa Station] on JR Hokuriku Main Line.
Address: 1F, Plaza Bldg., 2-25-5, Kata-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa

6. Shunsaiwashoku Kofuku

This dish is an excellent value and allows you to sample three different ways of eating Hitsumabushi. Try it simply mixed with sesame soy sauce, then with raw sea urchin soy sauce, and finish it off with green tea rice. Savor the differences in flavor of each variety. As the restaurant is located inside a market, all ingredients are exceptionally fresh. Staff members are constantly investigating how they can provide better quality food at lower prices. The chefs devote themselves to adapting the menu to incorporate seasonal flavors. Eating a delicious meal brings happiness to your mind and body. With this in mind, the restaurant’s name includes the character Fuku (“happiness”). The chefs are very flexible and tailor their cuisine to suit the appetite, age, and preferences of each diner. They also work hard to serve food in a way that delights their customers. At lunchtimes, the clientele usually consists of groups of women and office workers. On weekends, Kofuku welcomes many tourists, including those from overseas. The restaurant is a recommended party venue because its long tables can easily accommodate large groups. Meal plans with all-you-can-drink options are available.

Shunsaiwashoku Kofuku

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm[Weekdays, Saturday] Closed 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: From the east exit of Kanazawa station take the Hokuriku Railroad bus for Musashigatsuji. Get off at the Omicho Market stop and it is on the 2nd Floor of the Ichibakan building, directly in front of the stop.
Address: 2F Omi-cho Ichoba-kan , 88 Aokusamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa (Map)
More Details Reservation

7. BERNARD

Enjoy our [Recommended Courses] (reservations are always required) with French dishes filling with a new sense of the season at [BERNARD]. Our chef does not want to have specialties, but rather keep developing new recipes with the sense of the season. His unique view of the world attracts many people from inside and outside Ishikawa prefecture, and our restaurant has received the first stars in the Hokuriku region. We offer 1 course for lunch and 2 courses for dinner, consisting of various dishes such as amuse-bouche, main dish, and dessert which will keep you being surprised, smiling, and giving a happy aftertaste. Our ingredients, mainly seasonal vegetables, and seafood, are from Kanazawa and all over Japan. Each plate consists of the main ingredients and many others, creating the best seasonal harmony in your mouth. We serve the best cuisine in a natural and relaxing space. Please visit this special restaurant with someone important.

BERNARD

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm *Reservations at 12:00 pm or 12:30 pm, as the start time of the course, are always required / Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm *Reservations time is limited to 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm, as the start time of the course.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 10,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes by car from [Kanazawa Station] on JR Hokuriku Main Line / 5-minute walk from [Musashigatsuji Bus Stop] on Hokuriku Railroad Bus
Address: 102, Residence 2nd Musashi, 6-1 Musashi-machi, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa (Map)
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8. LE GRILL Dominique Bouchet Kanazawa

LE GRILL Dominique Bouchet Kanazawa cuisine

This is the third branch of Mr. Dominique Bouchet in Japan, after [Dominique Bouchet Tokyo] with the stars and [Bistro Les Copains] in Ginza. We serve innovative, new style French dishes with the new theme [pairing steak and sauce]. Enjoy our delicate appetizers, then sharing voluminous meat dishes served with a sauce which is the essence of Chef Dominique. We recommend our US prime-grade T-Bone matured for approximately one month, bone-in ribeye, and sirloin with an exquisite taste and flavor. Fillet of Noto Beef with a spreading strong savory taste is also splendid. Only courses are available during lunch time, however a-la-carte dishes are also served during dinner time so that you can fully enjoy our pre-fixed courses arranged to your liking. Please visit this renowned restaurant as a new spot you can fully enjoy in Kanazawa.

LE GRILL Dominique Bouchet Kanazawa

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station. 2 minutes walk from Korinbo Bus Stop. Immediately to the left from Matorio Square
Address: 2F/3F, Kokusai Business Gakuin Korinbo, 1-1-1, Korinbo, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa

9. Installation Table ENSO L'asymetrie du calme

Installation Table ENSO L'asymetrie du calme cuisine

[Installation Table ENSO L'asymetrie du calme] is a French restaurant located within a house near the Sai River (Sai-gawa) of Kanazawa. Since opening in January 2016, they have been delighting customers with beautifully presented dishes that are based on delicate yet bold concepts. Makoto Doi, the chef-owner with years of experience in Japan and Europe, exhibits his skills in the fully open kitchen. He offers unique French dishes inspired by the outstanding ingredients of the Hokuriku Region and draws on his experience in Japanese cuisine. Both lunch and dinner are served as [Omakase Course] (chef's selection) only. A comfortable restaurant is serving exquisite dishes that go perfectly with wine; this is a place where you can experience all the joys of food.

Installation Table ENSO L'asymetrie du calme

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch From 11:30 am (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner From 6:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: Take a bus to Kata-machi Bus Stop from Kanazawa Station, and walk 3 minutes.
Address: 33, Ikeda-machi yon-ban-cho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa (Map)
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10. Syunkasyutou Kemuriya

Starting with the superb Echizen crab, known as the king of seafood, the seasonal seafood served at Kemuriya is carefully selected by the owner himself at the fishing port. That said, they procure their seafood from all over Japan, so you can also enjoy varieties that are hard to find in Fukui. In particular, when Echizen crab is in season, it is best enjoyed through their course meals or dishes that fully draw out the flavor of crab, which can differ by size and sweetness. They always stock at least 60 different sake (Japanese alcohol) brands, including both local products and bottles from various areas of the country. They're all accompanied by a card describing all their features, so you can grow more attached to each bottle while enjoying them paired with various foods. The restaurant has a modern Japanese design and a quiet atmosphere, equipped with private rooms with a capacity ranging from 8 to 40 customers. However, if you want to witness the chef's skills up close, grab a seat by the counter!

Syunkasyutou Kemuriya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: From the West Exit of Fukui Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line, proceed towards Fukui Prefectural Office and turn left right before the Meiji Yasuda Seimei Fukui building.
Address: 2-7-23, Ote, Fukui-shi, Fukui (Map)
More Details Reservation

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.