Nagano’s Culinary Gems: A Guide to Local Dining Treasures
Nagano Prefecture offers a diverse culinary landscape that captivates food enthusiasts with its authentic local flavors and traditional cooking methods. From succulent yakitori and handcrafted soba to artisanal gelato and premium wagyu beef, this guide explores some of the region’s most beloved dining establishments, each offering unique gastronomic experiences that reflect the area’s rich culinary heritage.
Sawamura Kyu Karuizawa
Founded in 2009, this renowned bakery and restaurant stands out for its unlimited bread service and masterful breadmaking techniques. Using four types of homemade yeast and premium ingredients like Kanhoa salt and Amami Islands sugarcane, Sawamura creates exceptional breads through extended low-temperature fermentation. Their commitment to quality extends to daily adjustments in water hardness, temperature, and humidity to ensure consistent excellence.
Meijitei Karuizawa
Located in Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, this restaurant specializes in sauce katsu-don, a Nagano Prefecture delicacy. Their fourth-generation recipe features deep-fried pork cutlets with a secret natural sauce. The menu also includes Ebi-Fry Curry and Gyutan-don. Just an hour from Tokyo via Shinkansen, it’s a convenient stop for authentic regional cuisine.
Uzuraya
This traditional soba restaurant in Togakushi showcases handcrafted buckwheat noodles made from locally grown ingredients. Offering over 20 distinctive dishes, from classic zaru soba to seasonal specialties like sansai and kuri soba, Uzuraya provides an authentic taste of regional cuisine. Located near Togakushi Shrine, it’s accessible by car or bus from Nagano Station.
Tori Ryori Taru Nagano Ekimae-ten
A 5-minute walk from JR Nagano Station, this yakitori specialist offers an extensive menu of poultry dishes. The restaurant features spacious tatami rooms on the second and third floors, perfect for group dining. Their signature dishes include various yakitori selections and a notable chicken cutlet. Reservations are recommended.
Torihide
This intimate yakitori restaurant, a 5-minute walk from Nagano Station, is known for its skilled chef’s precise preparation and swift service. The establishment offers expertly grilled skewers and exceptional stewed giblets, concluding meals with complimentary miso soup.
Ajigen
Situated near Nagano Station, this yakiniku restaurant specializes in Shinshu wagyu beef, known for its superior tenderness and flavor. Popular items include kalbi, loin, and sagari, complemented by Korean dishes like bibimbap and naengmyeon.
Hanedashiya
This soba restaurant specializes in Yukimura soba, made with 80% soba flour and 20% wheat flour. Their signature hanedashi noodles, while unconventional in size, create a unique dining experience. They offer mori soba in various portions at consistent pricing.
Atelier de Fromage Kyu Karuizawa
Established in 1982, this artisanal cheese shop produces various cheeses including Camembert and blue cheese using fresh Shinshu milk. They also offer popular desserts like cheesecake and cheese tart.
Hare Terrace Honten Karuizawa
Located in Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza’s food court, this gelato shop produces 3-4 tons of gelato monthly using locally-sourced milk from different Nagano regions. They offer seasonal flavors made with regional ingredients.
