Tabelog ratingBotan Nabe Senmon Ten Botan Tei (ぼたん鍋専門店 ぼたん亭) is a restaurant dedicated to a single, celebrated local dish: botan nabe, or wild boar hotpot. It operates only during the boar hunting season from October to March, making it a sought-after destination in Tamba-Sasayama. The defining feature, praised in nearly every review, is the house-special chestnut-infused miso broth (栗入り味噌). This unique base transforms the boar's natural fat into a sweet, deeply savory soup that guests find unforgettable.
The staff prepare and manage the hotpot at your table, ensuring everything is cooked perfectly. Reviewers consistently highlight the quality of the boar, noting it has little to no gaminess and enjoy comparing the different cuts, such as the rich belly (上カルビ, jō-karubi) and the leaner roast (特選ロース, tokusen-rōsu). The meal traditionally concludes with udon noodles, ramen, or rice with a raw egg mixed in, all of which receive high marks. A minority of diners found the broth quite rich and salty or the meat heavy after a while, but the consensus is overwhelmingly positive.
While the typical spend is advertised as ¥5,000–¥5,999, reviewers report that specific set courses cost more; a mixed course of premium belly and roast was recently ¥7,390, while a special premium course was ¥8,800. Most diners feel the price is justified for the generous portions and unique experience, considering it excellent value for a special occasion. You can also purchase the signature chestnut miso to take home, which one reviewer noted was priced at ¥1,850 per kilogram.
- Booking: Reservations are highly recommended, as the restaurant is often fully booked, especially on weekends. Even with a booking, a wait of up to 30 minutes is possible. Walk-ins are sometimes possible on weekdays or after 1:30 PM on weekends, but not guaranteed.
- Getting There: From JR Sasayamaguchi Station, take a 10-minute bus ride to the "Nikaimachi" stop; the restaurant is a 1-minute walk from there. Look for a large boar statue on the roof of a four-story building.
- Payment: Accepts credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners), but a PIN is required. QR code payments (PayPay, d Barai) are also accepted. Electronic money is not.
- Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
- Seating: 44 seats, with a mix of tables and tatami-mat seating. Private rooms are not available.
- Parking: No dedicated parking. Use nearby municipal lots (no discount provided).
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking, including electronic cigarettes.
