Tabelog ratingTenmatsu is a quiet counter run by a husband and wife. The veteran master fries each piece in sesame oil in front of you and adjusts his frying to the ingredient, and even to the day's humidity. The batter is so dry it barely marks the paper beneath it. The signature sequence is two kuruma prawns, followed by their crisp fried heads, eaten with a pinch of salt or a touch of curry powder.
Almost every reviewer remarks on how light the tempura stays, even late in the course. Frequent highlights are uni wrapped in shiso leaf, anago (sea eel), sweet potato and hamo (pike conger). The meal closes with kakiage served three ways: as tendon on rice, as tencha in tea broth, or as tenbara mixed through rice. Tencha draws the strongest praise. Reviewers also single out the homemade pickles, the red miso soup and the house-made ice cream, along with the wife's quiet, attentive service.
The criticism is limited. Two reviewers, one as recently as 2026, found some fish fried too hard. A 2017 visitor thought it thin next to the Tokyo counters. A requested seasonal fish is sometimes unavailable, and regulars miss the old lunch tendon.
Prices are from reviews, not a current menu. Between 2024 and 2026, reviewers paid around ¥11,000 for the tempura-focused tokusen course and ¥7,800 for the yuki course with sashimi. In 2022 the matsu course cost ¥7,000. Lunch sets ran ¥2,900–3,900 in 2021. Dinner typically comes to ¥10,000–15,000 with drinks, and lunch to about ¥3,000–4,000. Drinks are priced low.
The value is excellent. Reviewers repeatedly say the same meal would cost double in Tokyo and that the courses are generous.
- Getting there: about 1.1 km, roughly 15 minutes on foot, south of Kofu Station.
- Booking: a reservation is recommended. Walk-ins are sometimes seated when there is space. Phone 055-228-8277.
- Payment: credit cards accepted, but only JCB, AMEX and Diners are listed. QR code payments are accepted. Electronic money is not accepted.
- Seats: 11 counter seats and 2 tables on the ground floor. The upstairs tatami room requires a reservation and holds up to 8 at lunch and up to 16 at dinner. Private rooms and private hire are available.
- Children: children are welcome. Families with small children are asked to book the private room.
- Smoking: there is a designated smoking area. The listing is inconsistent about whether this is at the counter, so check when booking.
- Parking: 10 spaces. The front lot is tight, and the overflow lot is down a narrow lane.
- Atmosphere: the room is very quiet, so keep your voice low.
