TSUSHIMI: Private Modern French Dining in a Forest

TSUSHIMI offers one of Japan's most exclusive dining experiences: a single table for one group of up to four guests per day, set within striking architecture in a Yamanashi forest. The restaurant is a ten-year project by chef Tsuyoshi Suzuki and his wife, offering a deeply personal and immersive meal that unfolds over four to six hours.

The centrepiece of the meal, praised by nearly every guest, is the "Noen ver.2". This remarkable dish presents around 100 different local vegetables on a single plate, each prepared to highlight its optimal texture and flavour. The rest of the long, dramatic course showcases obsessive sourcing of local ingredients, from foraged mountain herbs to specific vegetables like 八幡芋 (Yatsugashira taro) and 蕪 (turnip). Guests also consistently praise the house-made bread with 山胡桃 (wild walnuts) and the thoughtful pairings, which feature Japanese wines like the restaurant's original TSUSHIMI Koshu.

The experience is not for everyone. The sheer length of the meal, which includes a 20-minute intermission, can be tiring for some. A few diners have found certain dishes to be on the saltier side. However, the most significant caveat is access: reservations are extremely difficult to secure and are generally limited to those with an introduction.

Reviewers consistently report the price for the full tasting menu, including a multi-glass pairing, to be around ¥60,000 per person. Given the solo-chef preparation, immense labour, and unique private setting, most find this to be fair value for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary event.

• Booking: Reservations are essential and operate on an introduction-only basis. It is not possible to book without a referral.
• Location: The restaurant's address is kept private until a reservation is confirmed. It is located about a 10-minute taxi ride from Nirasaki Station.
• Hours: The meal starts around 15:00 and lasts 4–6 hours. Plan return travel accordingly, as train schedules can be tight.
• Capacity: The restaurant serves only one group of up to 4 guests per day.
• Payment: Credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
• Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
• Parking: Parking is available.