Tabelog ratingSeio Ryori Savaka (西欧料理 サヴァカ) is a lodge among the tea fields outside Kikugawa where chef Yamaguchi cooks locally hunted game as French courses. Boar and venison are only the start. Diners report Asian black bear, nutria, masked palm civet, raccoon, badger, wild hare, Taiwanese squirrel and even fried insects. Reviewers say game this varied is almost unmatched in Japan, and regulars can request specific animals about a month ahead. The restaurant was named to Tabelog's French EAST "Tabelog 100" in 2023 and 2025.
Nearly every review stresses that the meat has no gamey smell. The uribō (young wild boar) and venison mains draw constant praise, as do the deer-bone consommé, the bear confit and the colourful plates of Kikugawa vegetables. The pão de queijo and the house-made juices come up again and again. English- and Chinese-speaking reviewers describe warm staff who explained each dish in English.
Service is the recurring weak point. Several reviewers found the floor staff curt or casual, and two mention waits of up to 20 minutes and slow gaps between courses. Tables are close together. One diner felt regulars were openly offered better choices, and a few found portions small or some dishes salty.
Reviewers recently paid around ¥4,500 for lunch Course A and ¥6,600 for Course B, or ¥7,450 with a juice. At dinner, reviewers between 2023 and 2026 paid about ¥12,000 for Gibier A, ¥13,500–15,000 for Gibier B and ¥25,000–27,000 for the special or C courses. A five-glass wine pairing was ¥8,500 and a seasonal juice about ¥850. Expect to spend roughly ¥5,000–6,000 at lunch and ¥10,000–15,000 at dinner, although many reviewers' bills reached ¥15,000–20,000.
Reviewers call the value exceptional. The ¥4,500 lunch brings 8–10 plates, and the game courses run to a dozen dishes or more.
- Booking: essential, so do not turn up without a reservation. Book via Tabelog or call 050-5596-3072.
- Getting there: about 4 km from Kikugawa Station. The restaurant recommends a taxi, which takes around 10 minutes. One reviewer waited an hour for a taxi, so arrange your return in advance. On weekdays only, the Kikugawa City Community Bus (Sawamizuka Course) runs to "Sawamizuka Yanaguchi Bridge", 5 minutes' walk away.
- Parking: 8 spaces. The approach is on narrow mountain roads.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX and Diners are accepted, as are PayPay, d Barai and Alipay. Electronic money is not accepted.
- Seating: 24 seats in total, with 16 at tables and 8 in private rooms for 4, 6 or 8 guests. Private rooms are generally for groups of four or more. Whole-venue hire is possible for up to 20 guests. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
- Children: welcome, and a kids' menu is available. Mention them when booking.
- Dietary: vegan, vegetarian and halal diets cannot be accommodated. Ask about allergies when booking.
- Smoking: the restaurant is non-smoking.
- Timing: courses take 2–3.5 hours. The wilder game is more plentiful from November, and summer menus lean on eel and soft-shell turtle.