Kosaku Kawaguchiko (houtou) — Restaurant in Fujikawaguchiko

Absolutely lovely place to have a meal in the day

We drove here as we heard good things, and all that we heard was right.

It’s one of those remove your shoes, sit on the floor kind of dining establishments.

There was a crowd when we arrived (of course, it’s so good). Write your name and no of pax on the paper, and they will call you when it’s your turn

It’s almost like a traditional Japanese dining halls it’s wide with a high ceiling and sloping rooftop. Sliding Windows allow loads of natural light in and the window lattices are a vibe when the sun shines in and creates a shadow

We got a serving of the Houtou. Which is a local cuisine in Yamanashi. Thick noodles and lots of vegetables in a hot pot.

Really deep hearty broth that comes piping hot. So careful not to touch the bowl. Noodles are thick in width, the starchy kind. But good to share. Vegetables in this was boiled to softness, with all the essence of the broth deep in each bite.

We also got the rice bowl with shrimp and conger (fish) tempura.

Shrimp was so fresh and fried gently, not the kind that’s so deeply fried you can’t taste anything but the oil.

But shout out to the fish tempura. The fish was so juicy and the portion was great. Like I could have a big bite of fish with each mouthful of rice. AND still have fish left over.

Although might be tricky to have kids or elderly sit on the tatami for long. I saw parents carry kids a few times and elderly needed a lot of help sitting and standing. So .. bear that in mind.

There’s also a little corner by the cashier that sells snacks and souvenirs. Worth a look while u r waiting...

This is an authentic Japanese restaurant specializing in hōtō, a warming noodle stew traditionally from Yamanashi Prefecture. The dish is typically prepared with a miso-based broth, pumpkin, and an assortment of seasonal vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and cabbage. While pumpkin is the star ingredient, giving the stew its characteristic sweetness and richness, customers can customize hōtō by adding pork, duck, or even wild boar for extra heartiness.

The noodles in hōtō are thick and flat, similar to udon but tougher and unsalted, creating a chewy texture that complements the hearty broth. Unlike udon, they’re cooked directly in the broth without pre-boiling, making hōtō a rustic, substantial meal. The communal atmosphere of this eatery, with floor seating and a vibrant crowd, adds to its appeal for locals and tourists alike, despite the wait times.

For those interested in regional specialties, the restaurant also serves horse sashimi, or basashi, a delicacy in Japan’s mountainous regions. This is a unique option for those looking to explore local cuisine beyond hōtō.

This spot might not be ideal if hōtō’s flavor profile doesn’t appeal to you, but the lively ambiance and authentic menu make it a...

We came here around 650pm on Thu 4/3. The host at the souvenir/check out stand motioned us to put our name down, I thanked her in Japanese but she ignored me, wasn’t sure if she was shy or rude. Ha, sure enough, a while later, she glanced at us (one asian & one blatantly gaijin) then motioned another group of 3 Asians to sit down first even though my name was next & we were there first. That was not nice since I even put my name down in katakana, which worked fine before at other restaurants 🤣. I called her out in Japanese and only then did we get seats. She announced their party size to the waiters but not ours. That’s fine I can do it myself. Taking one star off overall for this discriminating behavior. Other waiters are courteous, helpful and friendly!

Japanese menu only, although if you go to their website there is an English menu there. Last order 730pm, we saw a big party walking in around 723pm. We got one pork & one pumpkin. Tasty food and the portion is huge. We couldn’t finish it. The “spicy” powder is a nice touch, not that spicy either and adds nice dimension to the taste. Food sits heavy though so you may want some sparkling/soda afterwards. I needed it even after 30mins walk back to the...