Tabelog ratingShizen Ya (自然屋) is a charming house restaurant in the mountains of Hokuto, Yamanashi, offering beautiful views of the Yatsugatake range. The kitchen focuses on hyper-local, seasonal ingredients, with a menu centered on river fish like iwana (char) and masu (trout), and wild mountain vegetables the chef reportedly gathers nearby.
Guests consistently praise the freshness and preparation of the fish, particularly the iwana sashimi, which is described as having a clean, melting texture with no 'fishiness'. Other highlights include the deep-fried iwana karaage and the generous set meals. The popular Shizen-ya Gozen and Yatsugatake Gozen sets feature a main fish dish alongside a large platter of six to eight carefully prepared vegetable and mountain plant side dishes, seasonal tempura, and flavourful soups.
While reviewers find the quality justifies the cost, prices are on the higher side for a rural restaurant. The dining room is small and fills up quickly, so booking ahead is essential. A few diners have noted that the air conditioning can struggle on the hottest summer days.
Reviewers recently paid around ¥2,600–¥2,700 for the Shizen-ya Gozen set and ¥3,300–¥3,500 for the larger Yatsugatake Gozen. Dinner courses are reported in the ¥4,500–¥5,500 range. A typical lunch costs ¥1,000–¥1,999, with dinner around ¥4,000–¥4,999. For visitors seeking an authentic taste of Japanese mountain cuisine, most agree it offers excellent value.
- Reservations: Reservations are required. Call on the same day for lunch, and by the day before for dinner.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Getting There: The restaurant is best reached by car. Ample parking is available.
- Seating: There are about 22 seats. Guests are required to remove their shoes and use slippers provided.
- Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Facilities: Outdoor seating is available during warmer months. Wi-Fi is available.