Seifuro

I came away wanting to return. The owner was warm and flexible, and over my two nights I kept being impressed by the food. Every dish felt thoughtfully made.

Get up early if you can. The river is quiet and cool in the morning, and listening to it before breakfast was lovely. I’d also suggest taking a bath after checking in, then settling in for dinner at your own pace since the restaurant has a small staff. We were really glad we came. The meals in the Japanese-style room were elaborate and satisfying, especially with local sake. Even the children’s menu was carefully prepared and delicious. The eel sushi was exquisite, and the sashimi showed the owner’s skill and pride. The building is old, and cleanliness may be a bit of a challenge, but the owner’s personality and the excellent food made up for that. For parking, head to the Yoro-ji Temple parking lot and tell the attendant at the entrance, “I’d like to go to Seifu-ro.” They’ll let you through. You may see lots of tourists and pedestrians and wonder if you’re going the right way, but keep straight until you see a sign on your right. There are only three parking spots, so backing into one from the far end makes things smoother.

Nakai-san, the proprietress, was off, so her husband was there by himself. The food was excellent and the service was good. The building wasn’t in the best shape, but it gave me the feel of my grandparents’ country home, which I didn’t mind at all.

The building is old, as you’d expect, but I trusted the enthusiastic reviews and was glad I did. The food was delicious and plentiful, and I was completely satisfied. The people I went with still talk about how good it was. They made a thoughtful special meal for my picky child, who ate every bit. I’d only booked one children’s menu, but they gave us both a meal, which really touched me. On the way back the next day, they even sent us off with tea for our mountain hike. So kind. I highly recommend it.