Classic Japanese Restaurant HAKUMAI — Restaurant in Fujiyoshida

One of the best meals we had in our 12 day trip to Japan, a delightful and wonderful experience in a very cozy and traditional Japanese restaurant near Chureito Pagoda's downhill entrance, with a great view to the small Zen garden that was being watered when we arrived which we got a seat right in front of it.

We had lunch on a sunny day and we were served a nice cracker as a starter on Mount Fuji shaped porcelain and we knew there that we were going to be dazzled with everything else that they'd bring.

We ordered a Kaiseki type of meal for both of us and a Miso soup for each, both arrived on a surprising tray full of colored porcelain dishes and amazing, tasty food. The gold leaf on the sashimi box was perfect, It included a small lightly sweet desert that was delicious, there wasn't a single part of this meal that was flawed, it was one of the best meals I had since I started travelling for more than 20 years now, I just wish we could return there every day, week or month to go through the whole menu.

Sapporo beer with a scent of cherry blossom was the perfect drink on this hot day, although they had a nice selection of Japanese wine, local beer and sake.

We would like to deeply thank our wonderful nice hosts again for such meal of a lifetime, we wish you all much success and a prosperous life, you raised our journey's experience to be perfect.

The only thing it missed was a view to Mount Fuji, but since we did the morning tour it kind of helped relax and settling the views in our memory from the walk to the Pagoda's view top.

We recommend...

I had the chance to try this dish recently, and honestly, it was unforgettable. The first bite immediately caught me off guard—in the best way possible. The flavors were bold yet balanced, with just the right amount of seasoning that allowed the natural ingredients to shine. The texture was spot on: tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection, giving that satisfying bite every time.

What really stood out was the harmony of flavors. There was a subtle sweetness that played beautifully against a hint of savory richness, and a gentle kick of spice that lingered just long enough to keep me reaching for the next bite. The freshness of the ingredients made a huge difference—you could tell this wasn’t just any ordinary meal.

Not only was it delicious, but it also felt comforting, the kind of food that makes you pause mid-bite to just appreciate how good it is. It wasn’t overly complicated or heavy—it was simply done right.

This is the kind of dish I would happily come back for again and again. If you’re looking for something satisfying, flavorful, and made with care, I can’t...

We took a tour to Mount Fuji and our tour guide had a friend that worked here and was able to get us in on short notice. This will be a highlight of our trip.

You take off your shoes upon walking in and are taken to a table where you look out to a cute garden. There are only 6 tables, 4 of them accommodate 2 people and the other 2 accommodate up to 4. So this is a very intimate dining experience. The server was so sweet and spoke english well.

We all had the “Wagyu Beef Grill Set” and absolutely loved it. All the flavors were amazing and I would have changed nothing. There is a sauce that comes on the plate for eating with the meal and it was SO GOOD! It seemed like a ponzu sauce but even better flavor. The meal included a dessert and was some type of jello as the base, which was also was so good!

I’d imagine this is a place you should reserve ahead because of the size, but I’d...