Tabelog ratingDaikokuya (大黒屋) is a Himonya institution dedicated to one of Japan's classic comfort foods: mugitoro, a nutritious dish of grated raw yam served over barley rice. The restaurant, which began life as a rice merchant, maintains a deep respect for its core ingredients, serving smooth, savoury tororo seasoned with a strong dashi broth over perfectly cooked barley rice.
Guests consistently praise the signature set meals. The mugitoro warasa-yaki gozen (a set with grilled young yellowtail in lemon-butter) is a frequent favourite, with reviewers recently paying around ¥2,460. The mugitoro benizake gozen (with grilled sockeye salmon), costing between ¥1,940 and ¥2,250, is also highly recommended. The sets come with a variety of well-made small side dishes, and many diners suggest upgrading the standard miso soup to a heartier tonjiru (pork and vegetable miso soup) for about ¥130 extra. A free refill of barley rice is offered, which many use to enjoy the tororo in two stages.
While the food earns near-universal acclaim, some visitors note that the service can be firm. Staff strictly enforce house rules, such as asking waiting parties to stand outside and maintaining a quiet atmosphere, which has led to friction for some families with noisy children. Queues are common, especially at lunch and on weekends, with waits of up to an hour reported. Despite this, most feel the quality of the food justifies both the price—typically ¥2,000–¥3,000 for a meal—and the potential wait.
- Getting There: Daikokuya is a 10-minute walk from Gakugei-daigaku Station.
- Booking: Walk-ins are common, but expect to queue. Phone reservations are accepted and recommended to avoid a long wait, especially at peak times.
- Payment: Accepts credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners), electronic money (transportation IC cards like Suica), and QR code payments (PayPay).
- Seating: There are 24 seats, including a 4-seat counter, tables, and semi-private rooms. Private rooms are only available for dinner and incur a ¥1,000 fee.
- Children: Children are welcome, but strollers are not permitted inside. The restaurant enforces a quiet atmosphere, so it may not be suitable for very young or boisterous children.
- Menu: An English-language menu is available.
- Parking: No dedicated parking, but paid car parks are available nearby.
