Tabelog ratingYakiniku Mikazuki (焼肉 三日月) has earned a reputation far beyond its location in Kashihara, Nara, winning a place in Tabelog's prestigious 'Top 100' list for Western Japan. It draws crowds for one main reason: serving exceptionally high-quality beef and offal at prices that feel like a bargain compared to Osaka or Tokyo.
The two dishes that appear in almost every rave review are the harami yukke, a creamy, rich beef tartare made from skirt steak that pairs perfectly with rice, and the negishio tan. The latter is a theatrical dish where thin slices of tongue are grilled with a generous mound of spring onions, infusing the meat with flavour. Beyond these, guests consistently praise the quality of red meat cuts like jō harami (premium skirt), kainomi (flank), and hire (fillet), as well as the expertly prepared horumon (offal) assortments. Even closing dishes, like the refreshing sudachi reimen (cold noodles with sudachi citrus), are noted for being unusually good.
However, the experience can be inconsistent. A number of visitors report brusque or inattentive service, with mistakes in orders and poor handling of complaints. Some side dishes can be unbalanced, and popular menu items often sell out early in the evening. While most visits are excellent, a minority have been genuinely poor.
Dinner typically costs between ¥6,000 and ¥8,000 per person. Reviewers in 2024-2026 paid around ¥2,000–¥2,600 for the harami yukke, ¥1,800–¥2,800 for negishio tan, and ¥2,100–¥2,600 for jō harami. A horumon assortment was about ¥1,000–¥1,600. For the quality of the meat, it's considered excellent value, provided you focus your order on the signature beef and offal.
- Reservations: Booking is strongly recommended. The restaurant is popular and signature dishes can sell out early.
- Getting There: Located in Kashihara, about a 15-20 minute walk from Yamato-Yagi Station. Taking a car or taxi is a common option. Shared parking for 34 vehicles is available.
- Payment: Major credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners, UnionPay) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Seating: There are 50 seats, including private rooms for 10-20 people. A two-hour seating limit may be enforced during busy periods.
- Children: Children of all ages are welcome, and a kids' menu is available.
- Smoking: A designated smoking area is provided.
- Ordering: The restaurant uses a QR code system for ordering via your smartphone.
